Free CPD in Primary Computing

Associate Facilitator STEM primary computing

There is a new wave of primary and secondary CPD, free for teachers in state schools in England, being released by the NCCE. For a full catalogue of courses you can book on to, please head to www.teachcomputing.org

Here are the courses that I am running, hosted by Park House Computing Hub. Click on the flyer to book on…

Primary Computing - NCCE Programming and Algorithms Course - May 2020 — Primary Computing – NCCE Programming and Algorithms Course – May 2020

Primary Computing - NCCE Programming and Algorithms Course - June 2020 — Primary Computing – NCCE Programming and Algorithms Course – June 2020

Primary Computing - NCCE Programming and Algorithms Course - July 2020 — Primary Computing – NCCE Programming and Algorithms Course – July 2020

I’ve been delivering the Primary Programming and Algorithms course remotely since lockdown; here is some feedback from some of my delegates:

Now I feel more confident with teaching the various skills required for primary computing; I cannot wait to apply what I have learnt in the classroom! Thank you so much!
KS1 Teacher

Learned loads more about Scratch – definitely feeling a lot more confident in terms of teaching from the algorithm stage to then applying it to the coding with the selection aspects! Was also a great laugh connecting with others in these isolated times! Thanks so much – got loads of great ideas to use in the classroom!
KS2 Teacher

Feeling much more confident to teach selection and variables. I think the practical classroom activities will prove really useful to introduce algorithms and programming within my own class. As an NQT this is something that I will take forward and implement in my classroom as as soon as possible 🙂
NQT

Thank you Phil! I’ve never learnt through remote access before but have enjoyed it so much. I now need to ‘play’ with Scratch and learn for myself. You have gone above and beyond to answer questions and provide support for us and share your valuable resources.
Deputy Head

April 30, 2020 0

Final call for free Primary Computing training

Dear primary colleagues, there are still spaces left on the NCCE ‘Programming and Algorithms in Primary Computing’ course that Park House Computing Hub are hosting, before the NCCE review their remote learning process in May. It is unknown what the remote learning will look like after the end of April.

I’m delivering this one day course in the second week of the Easter Holidays, and splitting it into 4 x 2 hour sessions (across Tuesday 14th and the Friday 17th, 10am -12, then 1pm – 3pm). All the other courses I’m running in April are fully booked, so please hurry!

The course is FREE for any primary school teacher, teaching in a state school in England. Simply book on using the link at the bottom of this page.

This is the same course I ran last week with 17 delegates, which was a tremendous success. Here are some testimonials:

I have thoroughly enjoyed this morning’s training. Easy to follow and great trainer. Because I haven’t used scratch before I found it hard to do the activities myself but it was useful being able to watch you do them step by step.
Computing subject lead on Programming and Algorithms in Primary Computing course, facilitated by Phil Wickins

Thank you Phil! I’ve never learnt through remote access before but have enjoyed it so much. I now need to ‘play’ with Scratch and learn for myself. You have gone above and beyond to answer questions and provide support for us and share your valuable resources. Keep safe and look after you and your family.
Assistant Head Teacher on Programming and Algorithms in Primary Computing course, facilitated by Phil Wickins

Feeling much more confident to teach selection and variables. I think the practical classroom activities will prove really useful to introduce algorithms and programming within my own class. As an NQT this is something that I will take forward and implement in my classroom as soon as possible 🙂
NQT on Programming and Algorithms in Primary Computing course, facilitated by Phil Wickins

Course details and booking is below. I hope to see you there on Tuesday!!

Programming and Algorithms for Primary Computing – Facilitated by Phil Wickins

April 6, 2020 0

Poetry in (all the com-) motion…

Poem Miss Tough Primary Computing Run Don't Walk

“Tell me a fact and I’ll learn. Tell me the truth and I’ll believe. But tell me a story and it will live in my heart forever.”
Indian Proverb

I met a fantastic teacher at the ‘Computing At School 2020’ conference in London, who really inspired me with her approach to helping students recall knowledge about computing.

Now I’m a huge advocate of learning through music and telling stories, but I’ve never come across this approach before and I think it is truly marvellous. Learning computing, through poetry!

Have a look at her website: TEACHING COMPUTING WITH POETRY – MISS TOUGH

Not only is it full of amazing poems, but if you check out the menu you’ll find riddles, downloadable booklets, inspired artwork and even an escape room puzzle!

So thank you Miss Tough, for taking our learning to the next level! I’ve added a quick sample, which is one of my faves!

April 3, 2020 0