TECHNOLOGY IN THE EARLY YEARS

PREPARING CHILDREN FOR THE NEWCOMPUTING CURRICULUM

Isabella LieghioSpecialist Computing teacher

Icon Learning Education Consultants@iconlearningict

OBJECTIVES

• To understand requirements of the new Computing curriculum for KS1, and how work in EYFS can provide a good foundation

• To develop understanding of supporting young children using technology

• To explore and develop useful resources and approaches

WHAT IS COMPUTING?

Foundations, Applications and Implications? (MB)

WHAT IS COMPUTING?

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 DOES THE NEW KS1 CURRICULUM CONTAIN?

• Understand what algorithms are; how they are implemented as programs on digital devices; and that programs execute by following precise and unambiguous instructions

• Create and debug simple programs

• Use logical reasoning to predict the behaviour of simple programs

• Create, organise, store, manipulate and retrieve digital content in a range of formats

• Use technology safely and respectfully, keeping personal information private; identify where to go for help and support when they have concerns about content or contact on the internet or other online technologies

CURRICULUM STRANDS

TECHNICAL TERMINOLOGY

http://www.code-it.co.uk/csvocab.html

ALGORITHMS

A precise step-by-step guide to solve a problem or achieve a particular objective

Programming

1. DRAW A DIAGONAL LINE2. DRAW ANOTHER DIAGONAL LINE CONNECTED TO THE TOP OF THE FIRST ONE3. DRAW A STRAIGHT LINE FROM THE POINT WHERE THE DIAGONAL LINES MEET4. DRAW A HORIZONTAL LINE OVER THE STRAIGHT LINE5. AT THE BOTTOM OF THE STRAIGHT LINE, DRAW A CURVY LINE6. DRAW A DIAGONAL LINE FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE FIRST DIAGONAL TO THE STRAIGHT LINE7. DRAW A DIAGONAL LINE FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE SECOND DIAGONAL TO THE STRAIGHT LINE

IS THIS WHAT YOU GOT?

CAN YOU IMPROVE ON IT?

DE-BUGGING

• The art of fixing or correcting algorithms or programming code.

• It’s ok if it doesn't work!

Programming

WHAT DOES TECHNOLOGY LOOK LIKE IN YOUR SETTING?

UNPLUGGED ACTIVITIES • Program each other to find hidden objects

• Give each other instructions to navigate around simple obstacle course - focus on direction / turn / estimating distance

• Split a problem into steps e.g. brushing teeth (decomposition)

• Give instructions to partner to build simple structure

• Follow/ give / record instructions focussed on ordering e.g. cooking recipes

• Sequencing stories through pictures eg Incy Wincy Spider, LRRH

• Ask children to point out errors in pictures or text

• Sorting activities - objects, by different criteria

• Program adult eg jambot

• Understand what algorithms are; how they are implemented as programs on digital devices; and that programs execute by following precise and unambiguous instructions

• Create and debug simple programs • Use logical reasoning to predict the behaviour of simple programs

Programming

TYPES OF DEVICES• Simple electronic toys, inputs and outputs - from torch to

washing machine

• Programmable toys - Beebots / Pixies / Roamers / Bluebot

• Recording of algorithms for planning ahead

• Understand what algorithms are; how they are implemented as programs on digital devices; and that programs execute by following precise and unambiguous instructions

• Create and debug simple programs • Use logical reasoning to predict the behaviour of simple programs

Programming

PROGRESSION TO ON-SCREEN REPRESENTATION • Simple programming software,

• 2go (Infant Video Toolkit)

• Focus on Beebot

• Online tools e.g. iBoard (www.iboard.co.uk)

• Understand what algorithms are; how they are implemented as programs on digital devices; and that programs execute by following precise and unambiguous instructions

• Create and debug simple programs • Use logical reasoning to predict the behaviour of simple programs

Programming

APPS TO SUPPORT COMPUTING• Beebot (free)

• Beebot Pyramid (69p)

• Daisy Dinosaur (free)

• Toca Boca (free - £2)

• Busy things (free selection)

• Bugs and Buttons / Bugs and Numbers (£2.29)

• Scratch Jr (free)

WEB BASED RESOURCES

WHAT ELSE? - STIMULATING LANGUAGE

ICT : SEVEN PRINCIPLES FOR GOOD PRACTICE

Ensure an educational purpose Encourage collaboration

Integrate with other aspects of the curriculum Ensure the child is in control

Choose applications that are transparent Avoid applications containing violence or stereotyping

Be aware of health and safety issues

Developmentally Appropriate Technology in Early Childhood (DATEC) Final Report – also reproduced in Siraj-Blatchford, I. and Siraj-Blatchford, J. (2000) More than Computers:

Information and Communications Technology in the Early Years, London, Early Education (The British Association for Early Childhood Education)

APPS TO SUPPORT STORYTELLING AND LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT

• Collins big cat books (free)

• Hip Hop Hen suite (£2.29 each)

• Puppet Pals (£2.49)

• Nosy crow stories (£3.99)

• Book Creator (£3.99)

• Sock puppet / Tellagami (free)

• Shadow puppet (free)

• The Land of Me apps (free)

• Traditional storyteller apps (£2.29 or bundle)

IPAD TIPS AND TRICKS• Displaying on the IWB / display

• Guided access

• Restrictions

• Buying apps

• Protection

• Using inbuilt apps - timer / camera / maps etc

• Saving work

PROJECTING USING AIRPLAY

or

GUIDED ACCESS

SAVING WORK

• What to save?

• Google Drive / Dropbox

• Saving to networks eg Filebrowser

ACCESSIBILITY FEATURES - READER

TECH FOR OBSERVATIONS

What are you currently using?

Comparisons

OTHER HARDWARE? SOFTWARE?

Role play areas?

USING TECHNOLOGY SAFELY AND RESPECTFULLY….

Use technology safely and respectfully, keeping personal information private; identify where to go for help and support when they have concerns about content or contact on

the internet or other online technologies

Are your procedures adequate and up to date?

PLANNING SUPPORT

LINKS FROM TODAY

www.scoop.it/t/ict-in-early-years

TECHNOLOGY IN THE EARLY YEARS

PREPARING CHILDREN FOR THECOMPUTING CURRICULUM

Isabella LieghioSpecialist Computing teacher

Icon Learning Education Consultants@iconlearningict

isabella@iconlearning.co.uk

https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/YJKK2WX