Basic skills for beginning computing

Chris Eynon2nd December 2014

Culvers House Primary School

What would you like to get out of this morning?

Answers on a post-it note please!

Overview of this morning • What … is computing?

• Why … is computing an important skill to learn?

• What … will my child be learning in computing lessons?

• How … can you support your child’s computing skills at home?

What …. Is computing?

• Computing teaches children about how a computer works … not simply how to use it.

• It teaches them how to use computational thinking

• Computing teaches your children how to make a computer work for them (how to programme it)

• Importantly, computing also teaches your children how to use technology and the internet responsibly

What … is Computing?

Computing

Computer Science Information Technology Digital Literacy

What … does that mean?

Algorithm A sequence of instructions (Recipe)

Program A sequence of instructions to perform a defined task (Writing the recipe)

Debug To adjust an algorithm or program when it isn’t functioning correctly (Problem solving)

Logical reasoning To think through the actions of an algorithm (Thinking logically)

Repetition When sections of algorithms are repeated a fixed number of times or infinitely (Repeat rather than redo)

What … will my child be learning?• Coding – writing instructions (code)

• Debugging – fixing problems with computer code

• Programming – writing code to accomplish a particular task (E.g. making a computer game)

• Awareness – respecting and using technology appropriately (E-safety)

What … is Computing?Key Stage 1

• Understand what algorithms are; how they are implemented as programs on digital devices; and that programs execute by following precise and unambiguous instructions

• Create and debug simple programs

• Use logical reasoning to predict the behaviour of simple programs

• Use technology purposefully to create, organise, store, manipulate and retrieve digital content

• Use technology safely and respectfully, keeping personal information private; know where to go for help and support when they have concerns about material on the internet

• Recognise common uses of information technology beyond school.

Computer Science Information Technology Digital

Literacy

What … is Computing?Key Stage 2

• Design, write and debug programs that accomplish specific goals

• Use sequence, selection, and repetition in programs; work with variables and various forms of input and output

• Understand computer networks including the internet

• Use search technologies effectively, appreciate how results are selected and ranked

• Use technology safely, respectfully and responsibly; know a range of ways to report concerns and inappropriate behaviour

• Select, use and combine a variety of software (including internet services) on a range of digital devices to accomplish given goals, including collecting, analysing, evaluating and presenting data and information.

Computer Science Information Technology Digital Literacy

Why… do we teach computing?• It teaches children how to make a computer work

for them, not just how to use software.

• It helps children think logically and encourages them to be responsible digital citizens

• Lots of jobs in the future will require computing knowledge

Now … it’s your turn!

How… can you support your child’s learning at home?

• Talk to them about it – discuss what they are learning about at school

• Encourage them to further their learning at home – Scratch or Code.Org will help

• If appropriate discuss and monitor their use of social media, email, text messages and messaging applications – It is more important to

educate than to impose sanctions or blocks

Where… can you go for help?• CEOP

• Parent forums (E.g. mumsnet)

• No computer – no problem! Talk, try and share.

• Parental lock and filtering instructions

• BBC schools computing website

Useful links …• BBC schools computing • Computing at Schools

• Scratch • Code.org

• CEOP E-safety centre

Questions or thoughts?