Computer Science in Schools Conference

WELCOME TO THE COMPUTER SCIENCE IN SCHOOLS CONFERENCE

Professor Hastings McKenzieDean of the Faculty of Computing, Engineering and SciencesStaffordshire University

COMPUTER SCIENCE IN SCHOOLS – A JOURNEY TOGETHER

Dr Nick Cook

Lecturer in Computing Science at Newcastle University and Academic Coordinator (p/t) for CAS/BCS Network of Teaching Excellence in Computer Science

Computer Science in Schools

A journey together

Nick Cook nick.cook@newcastle.ac.uk

Lecturer, School of Computing Science, Newcastle University

http://www.ncl.ac.uk/computing/outreach/

and CAS/BCS NoE Academic Coordinator

http://community.computingatschool.org.uk

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A journey …

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Start with what we know ...

How do they do that?

By numbers of course ...

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There is an algorithm for that ...

for each pix in picture:ave = average(pix.r, pix.g,

pix.b)pix.r = avepix.g = avepix.b = ave

• See Roger Davies' resource on CAS Communityhttp://community.computingatschool.org.uk/resources/1627

• Credit to Mark Guzdial, Georgia Tech

The national curriculum entitlement ...

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• Tools to solve problems• The toolkit to work out how tools work • The toolkit to create tools• Another way of looking at our world

– Patterns to manage complexity• But don't panic! It is not a race, you are not alone

I was worried that the kids would be bored or could not cope. But they loved it!OFSTED singled out the project with the High School and University for special praise.

Help and collaboration

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• CAS and the CAS/BCS Network of Excellence– Sharing resources– Progression pathways, curriculum development– CPD

• Master Teachers, Universities, MOOCs– BCS certification of Computer Science teaching

• STEMNet and others …

Links

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• Primary Barefoot Computing Roadshow, 15 Julyhttp://barefootcas.org.uk/birmingham/

• CAS Communityhttp://community.computingatschool.org.uk• Roger Davies' resources

http://community.computingatschool.org.uk/resources/1627• Teaching London Computing (CS4FN)

http://teachinglondoncomputing.org/• CS-Unplugged http://csunplugged.org/

The Changing Landscape of Computer Science in Schools

• Mike Wills - OCR• Mike is a member of the team at OCR responsible for the development of new GCSE and A level

qualifications, and then for supporting you through the delivery of the courses.

• Chair - Robin Oldham • Academic Recruitment Manager, Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Sciences

• Paul Maddock – Staffordshire University• Award Leader for PGCE Computer Science at Staffordshire University

• Nick Cook• BCS/CAS Network of Excellence

ICT & Computing

What are the changes?

Mike Wills, ICT & Computing Subject Specialist

AS/A2 Computer ScienceFirst teaching: Sept 2015

Overview (A2):• Computer systems (2.5 hour paper, 140 marks) - 40%• Algorithms & programming (2.5 hour paper, 140 marks) – 40%• Programming project (CA, 70 marks) – 20%

First AS exams: June 2016First A2 exams: June 2017

Draft specification and resources:http://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/as-a-level-gce-computer-science-h046-h446-from-2015/

GCSE Computer ScienceFirst teaching: Sept 2016DFE will release the content to all exam boards shortly.The structure could follow that of the A2:• More emphasis on programming• 80% exam (still to be confirmed)• A more academic subject

Included in the EBACC as a ScienceFirst exams: June 2018Transition resources will be produced by OCRFurther expo’s to follow

*Last teaching of current specification: Sept 2015 (exam June 2017)Current specification and resources:http://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/gcse-computing-j275-from-2012/

ICTOfqual recently announced that ICT will be considered for redevelopment

First teaching from Sept 2017Therefore, last teaching of current specification: Sept 2016 (exam June 2018)

What will this new qualification look like?• An academic subject, 100% exam?• Follow the structure of the GCE/GCSE CS

More information about the GCSE & GCE reform from Ofqual:http://comment.ofqual.gov.uk/completing-gcse-as-and-a-level-reform/

Current specifications (Entry level, GCSE, GCE, applied GCE):http://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/by-subject/ict/

Timeline

First teaching of GCSE CS

First teaching of AS/A2 CS

First teaching of new ICT quals

First GCSE exams for CS

First A2 exams for CS

First AS exams for CS

Final cohort for existing AS/A2 CS

Final cohort for existing GCSE CS

EXISTING NEW

Final A2 exams for existing CS

Final AS exams for existing CSJune2015

Sept 2015

June2016

Sept 2016

June 2017

Sept 2017

June 2018

Sept 2014

Final cohort for existing ICT quals

Final exams for GCSE CS

Final exams for existing ICT quals

Thank you for listening…We’re always very happy to have further discussions outside of this meeting,

01223 553998

ICT@ocr.org.ukComputerScience@ocr.org.uk

@ocr_ICT

The Changing Landscape of Computer Science in Schools

• Mike Wills - OCR• Mike is a member of the team at OCR responsible for the development of new GCSE and A level

qualifications, and then, of course ,for supporting you through the delivery of the courses.

• Chair - Robin Oldham • Academic Recruitment Manager, Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Sciences

• Paul Maddock – Staffordshire University• Award Leader for PGCE Computer Science at Staffordshire University

• Nick Cook• BCS/CAS Network of Excellence

Schools, Universities and Industry working together

• Stuart Ball – Microsoft – Partners in Learning• Partners in Learning UK Programme Manager

• Chair - Robin Oldham • Academic Recruitment Manager, Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Sciences

• Tony Homer – Staffordshire STEM Centre – STEM Ambassadors• Deputy Director of the Staffordshire STEM Centre

• Sara Buckley – Outreach Manager, Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Sciences Staffordshire University• BCS/CAS Network of Excellence