Computing
"Computers are good at following instructions, but not reading your mind."
Donald Knuth
Our Computing Lead is Mrs E van Gemeren
Computing Intent
At Dronfield Junior School, we teach computing so that children will learn how to confidently and competently work with a variety of software tools and programmes. They will develop knowledge and skills that can be applied today, beyond school and in to adult life, including potential career paths.
In a world where any information is accessible at all times, and any information can be posted and shared by anybody, we value the importance of equipping children at Dronfield Junior School with the understanding to consistently make safe choices online.
Computing Implementation
Computing is taught in PPA sessions, four out of six half terms. Our Computing Lead plans and delivers the sessions across the whole school. The Computing Lead regularly attends training to ensure our curriculum and supporting pedagogy is up to date and best suited to meet the needs of all of our pupils.
Our Curriculum is based on the Teach Computing scheme of work. It is clearly sequenced and progressive, based on the National Curriculum. The core of computing is computer science, in which pupils are taught the principles of information and computation; how digital systems work; and how to put this knowledge to use through programming. Building on this knowledge and understanding, pupils are equipped to use information technology to create programs, systems and a range of digital content.
A different unit of work is planned for each half term and coverage of all three strands of the computing curriculum is ensured. The planning is based on a thorough understanding of children's needs, building upon prior learning and accounting for children with SEND. The units are adapted to meet the needs of our pupils.
Children learn how computers and computer systems work, as well as design and build programs, develop their ideas using technology and create a range of content.
Our lessons contain revision of previous skills, progression of understanding, application, analysis/reflection and problem-solving as well as exploring key vocabulary linked to the units. Through the sequence of lessons, we intend to inspire pupils to develop a love of the digital world and see its place in their future. Computing is discussed in the context of our lives, the wider world and career opportunities
As well as stand-alone computing lessons, children have access to computing equipment during the day, to read books online, complete cross curricular tasks and present their work in a digital format.
Online safety is taught in a discrete lesson once per unit and then incorporated into lessons to consolidate. Each of the eight objectives from Project Evolved are covered in PSHE lessons and as whole school assemblies.
Computing Impact
Learning in computing is enjoyed across the school. Children learn to present their work in a variety of forms which is saved in a portfolio for them to access across KS2. Our pupils will be able 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.
Children will use digital and technological vocabulary accurately, alongside a progression in their technical skills. They will be confident using a range of hardware and software and will produce high-quality purposeful products. Children will see the digital world as part of their world, extending beyond school, and understand that they have choices to make throughout their lives involving IT.
Finally, the students in our school will be able to use technology safely, respectfully and responsibly; recognise acceptable/unacceptable behaviour; identify a range of ways to report concerns about content and contact.
Within the subject, children will develop the life skills and knowledge associated with technology that they might not have access to at home. They will also become more capable and confident using technology as a means of doing school work both at school and at home.
Research Project with Cambridge University starting June/July 2024
We have been invited to take part in a study investigating computing education and physical computing. This project is being carried out by researchers at the University of Cambridge. There are only 17 schools in the UK that are taking part so it is a terrific opportunity for our pupils and Mrs van Gemeren.
Background
Physical computing involves combining programmable hardware with software to create an interactive, physical system that senses and responds to the real world. An example of such a device is the BBC micro:bit. Through the BBC micro:bit - the next gen campaign, over 500,000 micro:bits have been distributed to UK schools. Previous research has found that the micro:bit is beneficial for young people, in terms of their motivation, creativity, and programming skills. Young people find the micro:bit engaging and like how tangible and easy to use it is. However, researchers do not yet know whether initial experiences with the micro:bit translate into long-term impacts on their attitudes and beliefs such as confidence and creativity.
The Exploring Physical Computing in Schools (EPICS) project is a five-year longitudinal project that aims to investigate this. The researchers at the University of Cambridge will also be investigating the role teachers’ play in the development of pupils’ digital capital, as well as any gender differences in how children engage with the micro:bit. The research project is funded by a donation from the Micro:bit Educational Foundation, the BBC, and Nominet.
This project
As part of this project, the researchers are collecting an initial set of data this summer, to inform the longitudinal aspect of our research project. For this initial round of data collection, they will be conducting focus groups with pupils in Year 4 and interviews with their teachers. Our school is being invited to take part as we received our class set of micro:bits through the BBC’s micro:bit - the next gen campaign. Mrs van Gemeren will be asked to deliver a 6 week unit of work introducing the micro:bit to our Year 4 classes. The researchers will interview Mrs van Gemeren asking questions about physical computing, the micro:bit, and how they think it can support the development of young people’s creativity, confidence, agency and digital capital.
If you would like to know more about the project click on link below
https://computingeducationresearch.org/projects/physical-computing