How to Teach Computing: Primary Teachers

DigitalSkills

Enrollment is Closed

Welcome to the MOOC How to Teach Computing: An Introduction to Concepts, Tools and Resources for Primary Teachers

Technology is everywhere, if we like it or not. And nearly all future jobs require us to understand it. To respond to this, governments are including computing in national curricula for students of all ages. In the UK already every primary school teacher has to teach computing concepts. and in many other countries more and more of us will be required to teach computing or at least integrate computing concepts, ideas and processes into our teaching. So let's get ready for this.

If you are a primary school teacher who needs ideas, tools or resources on how to teach computing, this MOOC is here to help you. We will be exploring the ideas, concepts, processes and skills that are important in computing and then introduce you to the tools and resources that can help you teach these concepts and processes in the classroom.

The course is designed as an introductory course, for you to use as a starting point to explore some of the ideas and tools further. It is relevant to primary school teachers of all levels of experience. A basic amount of knowledge on operating computers and other technology devices is expected but you don't need prior knowledge of computing.

The course has been designed by teachers for teachers and will feature interviews, presentations, and activities from teachers, professors, students and computing professionals.

This course is an adapted version of the How to Teach Computing: An Introduction to Concepts, Tools and Resources for Secondary Teachers course. If you have previously participated in this course you will be familiar with a number of sections of the course for primary teachers.

Learning objectives

Understand why it is so fundamental to focus more on computing at schools
Start developing an understanding of concepts, methods and ways of thinking that are relevant to Computing
Explore some examples of effective use of visual programming tools
Reflect on how you engage girls in your classrooms and to come up with strategies to get more girls involved in computing
Design a lesson plan using tools, ideas and resources presented on the course

You can download the course content here.

Prerequisites

The course is targeted at classroom teachers working in primary schools (students at least 5 years and maximum 13 years of age). However, the course is open to anyone interested in the topic and is free of charge.

Modules

Module 1: Why teach computing at primary and what to focus on?
Module 2: How to teach computing at primary level?
Module 3: What tools & resources can I use to teach computing - part 1
Module 4: What tools & resources can I use to teach computing - part 2

Certification

After completing the entire course, participants receive a digital course certificate and a digital course badge.

Note to teachers from Portugal: You can get your successful participation in a European Schoolnet Academy course formally recognised as a valid continuous professional development, and thereby acquire the relevant number of training hours, by sending your certificate to the Conselho Científico e Pedagógico de Formação Contínua (CCPFC) at Rua do Forno, nº 30, 1º andar - apartado 2168, 4700 - 429 Braga, Portugal. For more information, please contact the CCPFC.

Course Staff

Disclaimer and Copyright

This publication has been produced with the assistance of the European Union. The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of EUN Partnership aisbl and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union