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Supporting GCSE computer science students at grades 1-3

CP478 Live remote training course

Explore how to improve attainment in Computer Science for students working towards grades 1 - 3.

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Leadership Practical work Algorithmic thinking Computer networks Computer systems Data & information Programming Safety & Security Key stage 3 Key stage 4 Teach secondary computing certificate
Live remote training course 1 day

  • Coventry 2 December 09:30—2 December 2024
  • Live remote training 5 December 15:45—11 December 2024
  • Live remote training 9 January 15:45—16 January 2025
  • Live remote training 14 February 09:00—14 February 2025
  • Live remote training 13 March 10:30—13 March 2025
  • Live remote training 17 March 09:30—17 March 2025

This evidence-based CPD aims to raise knowledge amongst teachers of how to achieve the most out of your students, working towards grades 1 – 3 in GCSE computer science. Whether you’re already teaching computer science or completely new to the subject, this course is designed to support your understanding of GCSE grades 1 - 3.

Within this course you’ll explore the key terminology used in computer science and how to make this accessible to students; identify the mathematical skills required and how to make them accessible to students, working towards grades 1 – 3; learn about knowledge and recall strategies and how to embed these within your teaching; and how to use assessment and feedback to support student progress.

By the end of the course you’ll have the foundations of a variety of strategies that can be taken into the classroom, to support raising the attainment of students.

Who is it for?

No prior experience or knowledge of computing is expected before attending this course. It is advised that you become familiar with the National Curriculum in Computing before participating.

Topics covered

01 Supporting maths in computer science – during this session you’ll explore the mathematical skills required in GCSE computer science. You’ll learn about evidence based strategies, including how to make mathematical content accessible to your students.

02 Disciplinary Literacy – during this participant led activity, you’ll explore how disciplinary literacy applies to computer science.

03 Supporting literacy in computer science – during this session you’ll learn about the use of technical terminology, oral literacy and how to promote its use in computer science.

04 Knowledge and recall – during this session you’ll explore how to promote recall amongst students; how the use of practical computing can support students working towards grades 1 – 3; and how to use of platforms such as Isaac GCSE computer science can support student knowledge and understanding.

05 Assessment and feedback – during this session you’ll dive into assessment and feedback, you’ll have the opportunity to learn about feedback strategies, explore the benefits of these strategies and how they can be used in the classroom.

How long is this course?

This course is approximately five hours in duration, split across several days.

How will you learn?

Scheduled live, interactive online sessions led by an experienced practitioner. Flexible Professional Development Leader-supported, participant-led tasks, involving deep exploration of the subject content.

Outcomes

By the end of this course you will be able to:

  • Explore a range of strategies to support with maths subject knowledge in computer science
  • Explain how disciplinary literacy underpins subject literacy focus
  • Consider how to use a range of methods to develop literacy in the computer science
  • Consider strategies to aid knowledge recall
  • Explore a range of assessment strategies; formative or summative

This course is part of Teach secondary computing

Teach secondary computing

Our nationally recognised qualification will give you confidence to take your computing teaching to the next level and to apply those skills in the classroom.

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This course is from the National Centre for Computing Education and is delivered by STEM Learning.

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