Teach kids computing: Programming

Course description

This course will help you to become more confident in teaching programming to children aged 5 to 11. As well as developing your own understanding of programming, you will investigate a range of strategies you can use to help your learners.

You will learn about the key programming concepts of algorithms, sequence, repetition, selection, and variables. You will also explore several different programming languages that are suitable for young people, and use your new knowledge to modify and create programs in the block-based language Scratch.

You will also be introduced to program design. You will learn about and experience all of the stages of program development, from defining your idea to running code.

By the end of the course, you will be able to design and code your own Scratch programs, and support young learners as they begin their coding journeys.

What you will learn

After completing these four modules, you will be able to:

• Explain the key programming concepts of sequence, repetition, selection, and variables

• Model these concepts using analogies from everyday life

• Develop Scratch programs that use these concepts

• Produce program designs including algorithms

• Apply the Use-Modify-Create and levels of abstraction frameworks in your lessons

• Modify learning resources to better fit the context in which you teach

What you will need

You will need access to Scratch 3, either by using Scratch 3 online or installing the free Scratch app.

For an activity in module 1, you will need access to one of the following: the ScratchJr Android app, ScratchJr Apple app, or the desktop version of ScratchJr.