Higher attainment in computer science - meeting the challenges of the exams - remote
CP439 Live remote training course
Explore how to improve attainment in Computer Science, look at how students should tackle exam questions and use key resources such as moderator reports, how retrieval and interleaving can be used and mapping progression from KS3 to KS4.
Skip to course bookingThis evidence-based CPD aims to raise knowledge amongst teachers of how to achieve the most out of your students, whilst preparing for their GCSE exams in computer science. Whether you’re already teaching computer science or completely new to the subject, this course is designed to support your understanding of how to increase student attainment at GCSE level.
Within this course you’ll receive insights into accurate assessment to aid centre assessed grading, explore the key terminology used in exams and how this should be approached by students. Explore structured methods of teaching towards extended writing and programming exam questions, plus top tips from experienced teachers of how to pick up marks in exam papers.
You’ll also discover the importance and research behind retrieval and interleaved learning. Throughout the session you’ll explore example strategies, with the opportunity to discuss how to use these with GCSE students.
During this course you’ll discover threshold concepts and how the ordering and timing of these concepts can significantly improve student understanding. You’ll explore how progression maps can be used to map the curriculum throughout KS3 and 4, whilst embedding threshold concepts to maximise 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?
This course is for current or prospective teachers of GCSE computer science with some understanding of the computing curriculum.
Topics covered
01 | Understanding the assessment process - This session will outline the structure of how exams are created and marked, the wording of exam questions including how these should be approached by students, how to effectively use mark schemes and examiner reports to fully support students on the lead up to centre assessed grades this summer.
02 | Student performance - During this session you’ll look closer at the research into the performance of students studying GCSE computer science.
03 | Progression from Key Stage 3 to 4 - During this session you will explore threshold concepts and the importance of pin pointing these within the KS3 & 4 curriculum. Explore literacy strategies that can be used to support students around the use of appropriate technical vocabulary.
04 | Retrieval practice – During this session you’ll learn about retrieval practice and how it can be applied within the classroom, including on the run up to the summer assessments.
05 | Student recall - with terminal exams it’s important students can recall knowledge to ensure they’re successful in the exams. In this session you’ll examine retrieval strategies further plus interleaving of teaching to better prepare students for examinations.
06 | Picking up the marks in exams - this session will allow you to consider ways that can be used to support students answer different style questions on the exam papers, including extended writing and programming exam questions.
How long is this course?
This course is approximately five hours in duration, split across multiple sessions.
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:
- Develop a secure understanding of the assessment processes at GCSE level
- Gain experience of threshold concepts and how these can be firmly embedded in the curriculum to support student understanding
- Examine interleaving teaching and retrieval strategies that could be adopted within their own practice
- Develop a secure understanding of how to structure different exam style questions to fully support the needs of all students
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.
Book this course
You need to be logged in to start the course.
Adapted teaching and effective learning interventions in secondary computing
Develop an evidence-informed approach to education recovery over a sustained period, securing the computing education of young people following a period of great disruption.
Adapting the Teach Computing Curriculum for mixed-year classes - short course
Explore progression within Teach Computing Curriculum and how to use this to adapt it for your own mixed-age setting.
AI and Ethics in GCSE computer science
Artificial intelligence, what is it? How does it work? What are the ethical considerations for GCSE students. How could you teach it to your students?