A new employer-led computing curriculum
Computing and industry Mixed reviews for the new Programmes of Study in Computing The IT industry need new recruits (thousands of them!) with a broad range of skills and understanding of technology This includes the design process, working with technology safely and securely, how to create and innovate, how to use data effectively to analyse and predict, what programming/coding is and how it can be used to produce solutions It is much less about the theoretical nature of computer science
But it is what it is... Despite limited acknowledgement during the consultation of the concerns of employers, the Programmes of Study are agreed and in place So what can we do to ensure... Students want to study computing Girls want to study computing We don t lose even more potential technology recruits because of the focus on computer science Teachers feel able to deliver the new requirements
Putting computing into context Research has shown that contextualised learning works for both boys and girls, but is particularly important to keep girls engaged Embedding computing into real life challenges that demonstrate why coding is important, how data can be used for good, why cyber security is important for everyone (and is a great well-paid career choice), can keep students engaged Supporting teachers and students with the demands of the new PoS with banks of resources, including video, audio and documents can help delivery Develops understanding of problem solving
What is Behind the Screen? Web-based projects co-developed with employers to help teachers and students engage with real life technology Nine projects live, five more in development All free to use for any UK school and aimed at Key Stage 4, but can be used at Key Stage 3 All projects delivered through step-by-step e-learning content and includes all required resources Is suitable for flipped classroom and facilitated/independent learning Recommends use of open source software, with some employers providing industry standard software
Behind the Screen Students find out about data representation, binary, digital versus analogue data, bits, nibbles and bytes Challenges co-developed with employers present problems or briefs here locate a data centre taking into account a range of variables
Coding with a purpose Two Intel and CoderDojo projects Coding in HTML5 and CSS; Coding in JavaScript Students gain the skills to debug a Piano App Includes an introduction to algorithms, pseudo code and flow chart processes
Teaching students to code Each page has a tutorial video that demonstrates the HTML5 code written in Notepad++ Students watch the video and then write their own code to complete a set of activities
Student Log for assessment Students have a log to record their work we provide an exemplar with mark scheme
Teacher Support All projects are accompanied by teacher guides lesson plans, mapping documents, assessment information and a PowerPoint presentation
The projects Coding in HTML5 and CSS with Intel and CoderDojo Coding in JavaScript with Intel and CoderDojo (January release) Cyber Security (nominated for BETT award) Locating a Data Centre with Capgemini Designing and building apps with AppShed Monitoring energy use with the Raspberry Pi and IBM (January release) Design a computer game with BAFTA and Blitz Build a social media command centre with Capgemini
The Projects Design a website for a musician (a real one!) with Skylark Creative Be a software architect with The Squawk Project Design an app for a new player at Wimbledon with IBM and the All-England Lawn Tennis Club Be a technology entrepreneur with O2 and Wayra (January release) Build and benchmark a computer with Intel (February release) Predict the survival of passengers on the Titanic (who missed the boat) with SAS UK s business analytics (March release)
Aligning with the PoS Behind the Screen projects currently cover seven from nine of the KS3 statements of content in the Computing PoS and all of KS4 (which is deliberately vague because of the associated qualifications) In six months, all of KS3 and 4 will be covered In addition, students learn about business applications of technology and gain employability skills in team working, presenting, project management and communication Coming soon additional credit for student achievement through the Digital/Open Badges which will be awarded for each project
Digital badges Badges will be available for each project Badges are hard-baked with metadata about the awarding criteria and a URL to see the evidence We will provide detailed criteria for each badge and guidance about the evidence Examples six badges for the AppShed project researcher, designer, builder, approver, manager and creator Two badges for the Intel/CoderDojo project HTML5 coder, CSS coder and later, JavaScript coder
Teachers Session by session lesson plans for each project, includes references to provided presentation to support delivery
Teachers Employer partners offering workshops to support teacher CPD e.g. Intel want to host HTML5 coding workshops to lead to Master Teacher status Industry Insight videos on the website, currently include Social Media and 3D Printing across the Curriculum coming soon, Sand to Silicon from Intel (how microprocessors are made from sand!) Plans for short webinars to introduce particular projects, video overviews of the projects and other online provision to help teachers with the new requirements
The future Partnering with AQA to produce a GCSE based on the employer-generated Modern Computing curriculum viewable on the website More projects to provide wider choice for students and teachers, including programming in Python Roll out of Digital Badges to give students credit for completion of projects, all endorsed by employer partners Increased support for teachers with events, conferences and online talks and webinars
A holistic approach to computing Register at www.behindthescreen.org.uk or further information from sue.nieland@e-skills.com