"Computing is not about computers anymore. It is about living"
- Nicholas Negroponte
"Alan Turing gave us a mathematical model of digital computing that has completely withstood the test of time. He gave us a very, very clear description that was truly prophetic."
- George Dyson
Why Is Computing Important?
At Ranworth, we see computing as an integral part of learning and life. We want our children to become competent users of computing technology and have the confidence to embrace the ever changing technology of the modern world. We want to instil good computing habits and ‘netiquette’, as well as equip our children with the skills and knowledge required in order to stay safe in the virtual world.
Computing allows children to have opportunities to use all of our curriculum concepts throughout their computing education and develop themselves as competent users of technology.
National Curriculum—Purpose of study
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.
What Computing Looks Like At Ranworth
Computing is taught using the Knowsley CLC scheme of work. Learning builds sequentially throughout the years and revisits key areas developing and enhancing children’s skill with additional challenge. All children study multiple units about E-safety. This important aspect is taught early in the year to remind children to use technology safely, but opportunities are taken within each unit of learning to ensure that children are fully aware of how best to use technology to support them with skills for life.
Vocabulary will be explicitly taught at the beginning of every lesson. To facilitate children to know more and remember more key concepts run through the whole of our curriculum, and opportunities to revisit previous learning are planned into every lesson.
Inclusion
All computing lessons/activities are designed and planned to include all children through a range of approaches. Lessons are planned to facilitate the best possible outcome for all children within the class, and use a mix of plugged and unplugged activities to ensure the learning of knowledge, which is then applied during plugged activities.
Concepts Running Through Computing
- Digital Literacy
- Computer Science
- Information Technology
- Bite-size – application of skills
- Significance - Important people, inventions