Supporting GCSE computer science students at grades 1-3
CO478 Online course
Explore strategies to improve attainment in Computer Science for students working towards grades 1–3. Focus on tailored approaches that build foundational skills, boost confidence, and address key challenges, ensuring all students can make progress and develop a deeper understanding of the subject.
Skip to course bookingThis evidence-based CPD aims to enhance teachers' understanding of how to achieve the best outcomes for students working towards grades 1–3 in GCSE Computer Science. Whether you're already teaching the subject or new to it, this course is designed to support your understanding of how to teach students aiming for these grades.
Throughout this course, you'll explore key terminology used in computer science and learn how to make it accessible to students. You’ll identify the mathematical skills required for grades 1–3 and discover strategies to make them accessible to students. You will also learn about knowledge and recall strategies and how to embed them in your teaching, as well as how to use assessment and feedback to support student progress.
Who is it for?
This course is aimed at teachers who are already delivering GCSE Computer Science, as well as those aspiring to teach it in the future.
Topics covered
1. Supporting Maths in Computer Science – During this section, you’ll explore the mathematical skills required for GCSE Computer Science. You’ll learn evidence-based strategies, including how to make mathematical content accessible to your students.
2. Supporting Literacy in Computer Science – During this session, you’ll learn about the use of technical terminology, oral literacy, and how to promote the effective use of these in computer science.
3. Knowledge and Recall – During this session, you’ll explore strategies to promote recall among students, how practical computing can support students working towards grades 1–3, and how platforms such as Isaac GCSE Computer Science can enhance student knowledge and understanding.
4. | Assessment and Feedback – During this session, you’ll dive into assessment and feedback strategies. You’ll have the opportunity to learn about various feedback techniques, explore their benefits, and discover how they can be effectively used in the classroom.
How long is this course?
This course is approximately 6 hours of self directed learning.
How will you learn?
This online, self-paced course can be completed flexibly. You can join and start this course at any time after the advertised date, and keep access for a year after booking.
Outcomes
By the end of this course, you will:
- 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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