Unit 1: National Curriculum in Computing

This is an archived version of this module from the academic year 2021-22.
Click here for the current iteration.

This unit covers:

• the UK educational system
• the National Curriculum in Computing
• the Widening Participation agenda

Learning outcomes

1. Be able to summarize learning outcomes from the National Curriculum in Computing at different key stages.
2. Be able to explain the relevance of computer science as a discipline for every child.
3. Be able to discuss strategies for improving inclusivity and diversity.

Pre-session task

Watch the recap part (1:55 – 17:28) of the 2018 talk below by Simon Peyton Jones, one of the key architects of the National Curriculum in Computing, and answer the following guiding questions on Slido:

1. What is Simon Peyton Jones’ (SPJ) definition of computer science?
   CS is the study of …
2. What are the reasons (according to SPJ) for teaching CS to every child?
3. What “myths” does SPJ discuss in (the part of) his talk?
4. Name one example (from the video or not) that teaches a concept or idea as opposed to a skill or technique/technology.

Material

• slides

• Video · transcript (2021-10-07, 42:44): English school system, Computing in NC, Computing topics in KS 3, Widening participation agenda

  
  Chapters

  0:49 Outline
  1:44 Progression in State-Funded Schools
  4:50 GCSES
  10:25 GCSE subject choice
  14:10 Pre-Session Task
  18:50 Computing vs. Computer Science vs. ICT/IT vs. Coding vs...
  26:10 The National Curriculum in Computing
  31:45 Computing Topics in KS3
  33:36 Further Resources for KS3
  35:45 Widening Participation The university has a commitment to widening participation
  36:47 Higher Education Participation rates
  39:55 Implications for your lesson plan
  

Further resources

There are several resources listed on the slides; check those first. Here are some more for a wider context.

• Down-to-earth summary of UK School System by YouTubers Joel & Lia.
• Dom’s Map of Computer Science (video, pic) gives a nice graphic overview of the subfields of CS.
• Simon Peyton Jones’ TEDx talk about the NC in Computing from 2014; content is similar to the newer video above; maybe of historial interest mostly

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Unit 0  ⋅  Syllabus  ⋅  Unit 2