“I do not fear computers. I fear a lack of them.” Isaac Asimov
Introduction
Our children live in an, “…ever changing, modern world.” It is our intent that our school continues to evolve and keep up to date with changes in technology. Our computing curriculum is sequenced in a way that builds upon prior knowledge and acknowledges that children are exposed to modern computing, every day in the home.
Intent
At St Michael’s we believe that learning is a change in long term memory. We believe children learn best by having opportunities to revisit previous learning. We teach computing every week so that the children can fully immerse themselves and have opportunities to reflect and build on prior learning.
The objectives of teaching computing in our school are:
- To design, write and debug programs that accomplish specific goals, including controlling or simulating physical systems; solve problems by decomposing them into smaller parts,
- To use sequence, selection, and repetition in programs; work with variables and various forms of input and output
- To use logical reasoning to explain how some simple algorithms work and to detect and correct errors in algorithms and programs
- To understand computer networks including the internet; how they can provide multiple services, such as the world wide web; and the opportunities they offer for communication and collaboration
- To use search technologies effectively, appreciate how results are selected and ranked, and be discerning in evaluating digital content
- To select, use and combine a variety of software (including internet services) on a range of digital devices to design and create a range of programs, systems and content that accomplish given goals, including collecting, analysing, evaluating and presenting data and information
- To use technology safely, respectfully and responsibly; recognise acceptable/unacceptable behaviour; identify a range of ways to report concerns about content and contact.
As a school, we want to:
- To develop a curriculum which promotes progress and understanding for each child.
- To develop computing knowledge and conceptual understanding through the specific disciplines of computer science, digital literacy and online safety.
- To develop a curriculum which allows children to develop scientific enquiry skills.
- To develop cultural capital to give our students the vital background, knowledge required to be informed and thoughtful members of our communities.
- To give children experiences in a range of topics
- To provide links with our local and wider community to make learning relevant and purposeful
Implementation
Our computing curriculum design is based on principles derived from evidence through cognitive science:
- Learning is most effective with spaced repetition.
- Retrieval of previously learnt content is frequent and regular, which increases both storage and retrieval strength.
In addition to the principles, we also understand that learning is invisible in the short term and that sustained mastery takes time.
Our content is subject specific. We make intra-curricular links to strengthen schema. Reading, writing, speaking and listening skills are further promoted in computing.
Skills and Techniques
- Programming and debugging
- Keyboard and mouse skills
- Creating databases
- Keyword searching
- Staying safe online.
- Using a range of software to showcase work.
- Navigate and save work in a file
These techniques are repeated over the years so that the children can build upon and refine their skills in each area. Throughout all projects digital literacy and keyboard and mouse skills are revisited heavily.
The Early Year Foundation Stage children have daily access to an investigation station where they can explore a variety online and offline game based programs to develop awareness of technology and the programming. They will also begin to show children how to use a keyboard and mouse.
Throughout KS1 and KS2 children will have the opportunity to make links with other topics like using algorithms within a design and technology projects and science. In some studies, children will be asked to research using technology or even showcase their work in the form of digital literacy.
Cultural Capital
Children will learn about areas of significant computer literacy using programs that are current and relevant. In addition, they will learn how to stay safe online in a world of ever changing technology where privacy is key.
Curriculum Enrichment
In addition to our computing lessons, children are given the opportunity to attend coding after school clubs and attend events ran by external companies as well as visits into school from external companies.
Impact
The intended impact of our curriculum is that children build semantic and procedural knowledge; Children will have a sound understanding of how technology works in the world around them. They will be given the skills to investigate questions, answering then in an accurate and systematic way.
Computing Website
| Link | Information |
|---|---|
| Scratch | Scratch is an online programming platform |
| Code | Coding |
| Common Sense Media | Reviews for what your kids want to watch (before they watch it) |
| Be Internet Legends | Online Safety |
| Swiggle | Child friendly search engine |
| Internet Matters | Online Safety |
| Internet Matters | Really useful website covering parental controls, apps and all aspects of supporting parents with technology |
| Net aware | Great website for parents, written by the NSPCC that explains about individual apps and the safety measures they have in place for children |
| Childline | The website for children to get support themselves |
| Let's talk about it | Support with radicalisation |
| Get safe online | More for parents – this site explains how to protect yourself against online fraud – which is an increasing problem. |
