New to computing pathway for modern foreign language teachers - remote CH474 / I01

Computing is an evolving and exciting subject to teach that opens up career options. This pathway will support you to start your journey becoming upskilled with the subject knowledge and confidence to teach computing. By booking onto this pathway, you’ll complete two of the following courses from the Computer Science Accelerator programme:

• Introduction to algorithms, programming data
• Introduction to computer systems, networking and security

Who is it for?

This course is intended for non-specialist teachers who are new to computing, wanting to learn more about the knowledge required to deliver the computing curriculum, particularly at KS3.No prior knowledge is required to attend these courses. You will have the opportunity to network with teachers in your subject area on both days. 

What topics are covered?

By following this pathway, you’ll complete two of the following courses, you can find out which courses by selecting a course date:

• Introduction to algorithms, programming data (CP428) – during this course you’ll explore how algorithms are designed and how programs are written to provide clear instructions to machines and how to read and write algorithms using flowcharts and pseudocode. You’ll explore how to create simple block-based computer programs and discover how to implement them using the Python programming language. Finally, you’ll learn about the binary system used by computers to store and process data, and how to convert to and from the familiar denary system of numbers zero to nine.
• Introduction to computer systems, networking and security (CP438) – during this course you’ll learn about the different components of computer hardware, including devices not instantly recognisable as computers. The key components for input, processing, storage and output will be covered, and you’ll learn about the binary data that flows around and between computers. You’ll learn about the technologies required to network computer systems together so they can communicate and share data. You’ll also deepen your knowledge of some of the security risks that are commonly heard about in the daily news, which your students need to be aware of to be safe and responsible web citizens.

How will you learn?

How long is the course?

By following this pathway you’ll complete two courses from the Computer Science Accelerator programme, totalling approximately 10 hours, split across multiple days.This course is delivered as part of the National Centre for Computing Education. We recommend that you follow this course up with the online Programming 101: An Introduction to Python for Educators (search for C0207 on the STEM learning website).