Computing
Computing at Yardley Wood Community Primary School
A high-quality computing education equips pupils to use computational thinking and creativity to understand and change the world. Computing has deep links with mathematics, science and design and technology, and provides insights into both natural and artificial systems.
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 content.
Computing also ensures that pupils become digitally literate – able to use, and express themselves and develop their ideas through, information and communication technology – at a level suitable for the future workplace and as active participants in a digital world.
The Primary Computing Program of Study Divided into Three Areas:
Computer Science (CS), Information Technology (IT) and Digital Literacy (DL)
Seesaw
Seesaw is an online platform for student engagement. Teachers empower students to create, reflect, share, and collaborate in order to develop their own online journal. Seesaw allows students to “show what they know” using photos, videos, drawings, text, PDFs and links. Ask your child to show you their amazing Seesaw journal to see what they have been learning at school.
Seesaw has become an integral part of school life at YWCPS and has had a massive impact on the success of our home learning curriculum.
Your child should be using Seesaw from home to complete their homework tasks and/or to access learning during any breaks from school due to current Covid-19 issues. Please contact the school of you need support with this.
INTERLAND - Be Internet Legends
Central to our Computing Curriculum is E-safety and at YWCPS we want children to become Internet Legends. With the help of Google's Internet Legends programme, we want children to become confident and safe in exploring the digital worlds around them. Children will learn about the five areas they need to understand in order to become safe and independent users in the digital world. Be Internet SMART, ALERT, STRONG, KIND and BRAVE.
They also have regular access to the Interland game. This is an online adventure that teaches the key lessons of internet safety through four fun, challenging games. For more information please click the link below.
Be Internet Legends for Parents
Learning Journey
Computing
Progression of Skills
EYFS and Computing at YWCPS
Despite computing not being explicitly mentioned within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory framework, which focuses on the learning and development of children from birth to age five, there are many opportunities for young children to use technology to solve problems and produce creative outcomes. In particular, many areas of the framework provide opportunities for pupils to develop their ability to use computational thinking effectively, such as through undertaking projects involving the concepts and approaches suggested by Computing at School's (CAS) Barefoot Computing resources. As young children take part in a variety of tasks with digital devices, such as moving a Bee Bot around a classroom, they will already be familiar with the device before being asked to undertake tasks related to the key stage one (KS1 - ages 5 - 7 years) computing curriculum, such as writing and testing a simple program. Not only will children be keen to again use a device they had previously enjoyed using, their cognitive load will also be reduced, meaning they are more likely to succeed when undertaking activities linked to the next stage in their learning.
Within the revised EYFS statutory framework, the Technology strand within Understanding the World has been removed. However, there are opportunities within each area of the framework to enable practitioners to effectively prepare children for studying the computing curriculum.
(Taken from https://www.computingatschool.org.uk/resources/primary-computing/eyfs-computing)
At YWCPS children have access to iPads and Beebots. Both Reception and Nursery contain a role play area with a range of technology, both functioning and model / broken devices, or a variety of electronic toys, such as remote controlled cars, walkie-talkies and interactive pets. They also have access to an IT suite where they can practise their mouse and keyboard skills using online resources such as Busythings and PurpleMash. Opportunities arise for conversation about technology at school and around us where children can talk about their life experience with technology. IPads have a collection of story and doodle apps and children also have opportunities to use the camera, built in microphone and access apps to help with Literacy and Maths. Some evidence of this is captured on their learning journal, Seesaw.
In class, children have access to Toniebox listening centre with a range of different stories.
Staff are also encouraged to use the cards below, taken from Barefoot -Computing at School website - to provide key questions to prompt discussion about computational thinking skills and concepts.