Making the transition from ICT to computing
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This document summarizes the transition an elementary school made from a limited ICT program to a more robust Computing curriculum. It describes how the school initially had few resources and opportunities for collaboration. Over several years, it implemented project-based units, acquired new technology, set up programs like coding club, and improved infrastructure. As a result, students now enjoy Computing and have strong skills compared to peers. The school prioritizes the subject and plans to further integrate physical computing and digital literacy.
Making the transition from ICT to computing
- 1. Making the transition from Primary ICT to Computing ICT for Education Conference, Newcastle, September 2018 Jamie Edmondson Education Technology Consultant Computing Leader / Teacher, Our Lady’s RC Primary School, Manchester CAS Master Teacher @jecomputing info@jecomputing.co.uk
- 2. About the school Context ... ● Pupil premium funding is higher than the national average . ● Average-sized 1 form entry primary school ● One third of the school’s population speaks English as an additional language ● PPA teacher for ICT / Computing
- 3. ICT / Computing Where we were 4 years ago? ● No opportunities for pupils to work together / collaborate on projects . ● Some attempt to deliver ‘coding’ but no focus on conceptual development ● Awareness of useful resources (e.g. code club and hour of code) but misused ● Technology available not fit for purpose (but no budget to buy new)!
- 4. Computing What we did (short term) ● Looked at the PoS to see what had been done so far and what still needed to be delivered ● Made a short term plan to deliver as much of this as possible with the limited resources available (15 functioning laptops if lucky)! ● Modified the layout of the classroom to facilitate cooperative learning within lessons. Adapted my approach to how I taught Computing (5B’s)
- 5. Computing What we did (long term) ● Planned a series of project based units to cover all of the PoS as well as enthuse and motivate pupils. How we did this ... ● Gradually built in more resources (better laptops, some iPads, Micro:Bit, Raspberry Pi’s), in order to give pupils a better range of experiences ● Set up a school blog to give pupils work a real purpose and audience ● Set up a Digital Leader programme to further champion the subject within school and also help support staff and parents ● Set up a weekly Code Club to enable further development and application of Computing skills (particularly physical computing) ● Invested in improving the infrastructure (new server)
- 6. Computing What else has helped (CPD)? ● Social Media : #CASchat 7 - 8pm every Tuesday, Computing Coordinators Facebook Group ● Computing at School (CAS) - Hubs, NoE, Master Teachers Subject Knowledge “Sound subject knowledge is the key to creative, challenging, engaging computing lessons.”
- 7. And now? Outcomes ... ● School values Computing as a subject and is proud of it. Most importantly pupils enjoy it and make great progress ● Subject is given high priority (now a school governor responsible for Computing and termly report presented to all governors) ● Feeder Secondary schools comment on the high level of skills and experiences our year 6 leavers have compared to their peers from other schools
- 8. Computing Future Plans ● Integrating Physical Computing more into the curriculum (Crumble, Pi, Micro:Bit) ● GSuite for Education - More emphasis on the IT / Digital Literacy aspect. Doing this in a purposeful and more manageable way ● More prominent focus on ‘online safety’ throughout whole school (360 degree Mark, ‘Be Internet Legends’)
- 9. Thank you for listening! What questions do you have?
- 10. Useful Links Successful approaches to Computing (Headteacher Update magazine article) here ‘Project Live’ Computing curriculum here
- 11. Model for developing conceptual understanding ... Concepts (What do the children need to actually learn)? Develop units of work around these key concepts (not the final product) Develop pupils understanding through a series of projects based around curriculum topic themes and / or pupils interests. Enable opportunity for both independent application and collaborative working