Our pupils learn with three main strands: computer science, information technology and digital literacy including programming essentials using Scratch coding, hour of code and Minecraft Education coding. Computing has deep links with mathematics, science, and design and technology. Computer science covers topics such as how computers work, algorithms, sequence, loops, and variables. There is a wide range of learning applications with coding and problem-solving skills and children explore at their own pace and develop their ideas through computing innovation ideas. Children get the opportunity to code a micro:bit which is a programmable circuit board.
Children also use digital science experiments to explore the biochemical reactions using periodic table substances in a digital science form of sandbox learning computational thinking.
There are lots of junior computing tools using Busy Things and Just2easy including physics tools and gravity simulators. Children also work on Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Publisher.
For younger children, they learn and explore with RM computing suitable for ages 4-6 with Simple City and Maths City and is excellent to boost confidence using a tiny children’s mouse and mouse buttons to drag objects, explore locations such as the zoo, recycling centre to learn different types of recycling rubbish, veterinary centre, car garage and the doctors to develop role play and speech and language skills including creativity tasks, phonics and explore a range of things from dinosaurs to places of work, buildings and vehicles. This is good for their eye-hand coordination and develop imagination.
It is now more important than ever that children are able to use technology positively, responsibly and safely.