Programming Pedagogy in Primary Schools: Developing Computing Teaching

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6,604 enrolled on this course

4 weeks
2 hours per week
Digital certificate when eligible
Intermediate level

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Learn how to run a successful computer programming class

On this four-week course, you’ll examine a range of teaching methods suitable for teaching programming, particularly block-based programming languages, to primary school pupils.

You’ll look at general pedagogical concepts like Bloom’s verbs, semantic waves and cognitive load, as well as programming specific approaches such as Parson’s Problems or designing lessons using levels of abstraction.

You’ll have the chance to reflect on your current teaching practices, and how you can adapt your own lessons to take advantage of these approaches.

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Skip to 0 minutes and 2 seconds Are you a teacher who wants to develop your pedagogical knowledge to create more effective programming lessons? What taxonomies and learning theories can you use to teach programming to primary school pupils aged 5 to 11? How can you model a learning sequence as a semantic wave? This free course will teach you about pedagogical concepts like Bloom’s Taxonomy, cognitive load theory, Use-Modify-Create, and Parsons problems. You’ll take part in practical activities to design lessons using levels of abstraction, guided exploration, and targeted tasks. This four-week course also contains peer-led discussions, trainer interaction, and feedback on your knowledge as you progress. You can learn whenever and wherever you want.

Skip to 0 minutes and 40 seconds So if you’re an educator looking to improve how you teach programming in your school, this course will help you to understand the principles of primary programming pedagogy. Sign up now at rpf.io/primarypedagogy. [CLICK]

What topics will you cover?

Pedagogical Content Knowledge
Bloom’s taxonomy and SOLO
Semantic Waves
Instructivist and constructivist learning theories
Continuum of scaffolding
Levels of abstraction
Programming concepts: sequence, repetition, variables & selection.
Using guided exploration and targeted tasks
Teaching programming using “Use, Modify, Create”

When would you like to start?

Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.

Available now

Learning on this course

If you'd like to take part while our educators are leading the course, they'll be joining the discussions, in the comments, between these dates:

6 Feb 2023 - 24 Feb 2023

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

Describe a range of pedagogical approaches, including unplugged approaches, 'Use-Modify-Create', and Parson's Problems
Investigate the key programming concepts of sequence, variables, selection, and iteration, and how these can be taught
Model a learning sequence as a semantic wave
Apply different pedagogies into a lesson plan
Evaluate the use of these pedagogical approaches in your classroom

Who is the course for?

This course is designed for teachers and subject leaders responsible for teaching programming to primary school children (5-11 years old).

You will need some basic programming knowledge but the course does revise the key programming concepts of sequence, variables, selection and iteration.

Who will you learn with?

Ben Hall

I am a Learning Manager for the Raspberry Pi Foundation. In addition to creating educational resources, I enjoy looking at birds, clouds, stars or anything else in the sky.

Sway Grantham

I work for the Raspberry Pi Foundation on the Primary team delivering educator support through the National Centre for Computing Education.

Who developed the course?

Raspberry Pi Foundation

The Raspberry Pi Foundation works to put the power of digital making into the hands of people all over the world, so they are capable of understanding and shaping our increasingly digital world.

National Centre for Computing Education

This course is part of the National Centre for Computing Education (NCCE). Funded by the Department for Education and partners, we aim to change the way computing is taught in schools across England, and enable more young people to benefit from studying this important subject.

If you are a teacher in England you can get free upgraded access to this course, and use it towards NCCE certification. To do this, you must join the course through the Teach Computing website


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Choose the best way to learn for you!	$44/one-off payment	$189.99 for one year Automatically renews	Free
	Fulfill your current learning need	Develop skills to further your career	Sample the course materials
Access to this course	tick	tick	Access expires 7 Mar 2023
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Learn at your own pace	tick	tick	cross
Discuss your learning in comments	tick	tick	tick
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Ways to learn

Choose the best way to learn for you!

Subscribe & save

$189.99 for one year

Automatically renews

Develop skills to further your career

Access to this course
Access to 1,000+ courses
Learn at your own pace
Discuss your learning in comments
Digital certificate when you're eligible

Cancel for free anytime

Buy this course

$44/one-off payment

Fulfill your current learning need

Access to this course
Learn at your own pace
Discuss your learning in comments
Printed and digital certificate when you’re eligible

Continue & Upgrade

Limited access

Free

Sample the course materials

Access expires 7 Mar 2023

Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)

Sale price available until 28 February 2023 at 23:59 (UTC). T&Cs apply.

Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)

Sale price available until 28 February 2023 at 23:59 (UTC). T&Cs apply.

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