Early Years and Key Stage 1 Computing
Understand what algorithms are.
Create and debug simple programs.
Using technology purposefully to create, organise, store, manipulate and retrieve digital content.
Recognise common uses of information technology beyond school.
Follow precise and unambiguous instructions.
Use technology safely and respectfully.
Jam sandwich instructions (YouTube, 2019)
Scratch - As stated by Code Club Resources (2019) Scratch is a graphical programming language, which allows children to drag and combine code blocks to make a range of programs, including animations and stories.
UK Council for Child Internet Safety (UKCCIS, 2019)
Teaching children how to organise and save their documents.
Communication purposes e.g. Email and messaging sites.
Games
Homework and educational sites or applications.
Social media e.g. Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat
Definition: An algorithm is a list of rules to follow in order to solve a problem. (BBC Bitesize, 2019)
As algorithms may seem fairly complicated; especially to an early years or key stage one child, it is often useful to replicate them in every day activities e.g. getting dressed, making a cake, building a toy. (BBC Bitesize, 2019)
It could be helpful to get children to write out a set of instructions for a basic everyday task to allow them to understand what algorithms are.
Making the teacher into a robot can be a fun way of introducing children to creating and following precise instructions.
Beebots can also be used as fun pieces of technology that can be given simple instructions.
It may be helpful to give younger children tasks or activity cards when using programmes such as Scratch to help them practice coding and debugging.
The fact that children are able to change the cartoon and the background gives them flexibility and the opportunity to make their animations unique and original.
Television or entertainment purposes e.g. Netflix or Youtube
One way to teach younger children about online safety is by showing them simple videos that have been made specifically for children, that highlight why it is important to keep personal information private and ensure you stay safe online. (YouTube, 2019)
Teaching children to set up passwords and create folders within their own files is important and will help them to navigate more independently online.
It is important to recognise that not all children will have access to a computer at home and this may make it difficult for them to do homework that has been set online. However, now that there are far more fun and educational apps that can be used on mobile phones or iPads, as well as on computers, it means many more children have the opportunity to access these programmes and will be experiencing different forms of technology outside of school.
(Williams, 2016)
(YouTube, 2019)