Programming and Control Technology in the Primary Classroom

Programming and Control Technology in the Primary Classroom

The national curriculum document for computing has a focuses a fair amount on programming, as it features in both the key stage one and key stage two guidance respectively. Throughout primary school, pupils will be expected to create programs that run smoothly and should be able to 'debug' programs too. Pupils must also develop an understanding of algorithms during their time in the primary setting, this is best done through practicing programming and having constant reinforcement from both the program software and class teacher.

 

When I was in primary school, we rarely used the I.C.T suite (as it was then) and if we did, it would usually only be to use the paint software on Microsoft. This lack of experience with programming means that I would not feel overly comfortable teaching it, fortunately the work I have done since in EDP 1213 has opened up the concept to me. The different types of programming we discussed and practiced included; online resources, downloadable content and physically interactive toys called BEE bots (pictured below). 'Programmable toys such as these are an ideal entry point for young and even pre-school children to begin to explore algorithmic thinking' (Turvey et al 2014) because they are so easy and straight froward to use. The user gets instant gratification for their programming as the BEE bot will follow the exact commands given to it via the buttons on its upper side, making this an excellent resource to introduce programming and control technology to the early years and key stage one. 

 

One of the older online resources that could be downloaded was the Scratch software. Scratch allows pupils to combine a series of interlocking blocks that determine what happens once their program begins. Pictured left is an example of a fairly complex piece of programming on scratch, the tools on scratch are quickly picked up as a degree of trial and improvement is involved in finding what you actually want to do.  

The real life application of programming is clear as we come into contact with some form of it everyday of our lives, whether its traffic lights, home appliances or even key cards we are surrounded by examples of programming, making it a vitally important area of the curriculum.

Reference - Allen, J. Potter, J. Sharp, J. Turvey, K. (2014) Primary Computing and ICT SAGE