20 November 2014 by Jo Brodie - 0 comments

New course date Computer Science Education: Theory & Practice (Spring 2015) @ King’s

Teaching London Computing has a new course for Computing teachers, at King’s College London. The short course is a standalone module on an MA course in Education, and is suitable for those who will be teaching Computing up to A-level.

For more details and to apply for a place please visit the course information page.

COURSE OVERVIEW

KEY FACTS
Course start date – 17 January 2015
Course duration – 11 weeks part time
Course type – Online course
Course times – Saturdays 10am-4pm on campus and online Tuesdays 7-8pm
Course recurrence – Saturday then five Tuesday evenings online, another Saturday and five more Tuesday evenings online.
Location – Waterloo Campus
Entry requirements – Qualified Teacher Status in ICT or experience of teaching ICT in a secondary school.
Credit value – 30 credits at Master’s level
Academic Lead – Sue Sentance

COURSE STRUCTURE

Saturday 1: Curriculum and Computing

Seminar 1 – Communications Unplugged
Seminar 2 – Gender and Computing
Seminar 3 – Teaching early Programming
Seminar 4 – Programming Teaching Methods
Seminar 5 – Teaching by Modelling

Saturday 2: Hardware and Assignment Workshop

Seminar 6 – Flow and Learning through Games
Seminar 7 – Motivation, Uptake and Careers in Computing
Seminar 8 – Collaboration and Group Work in Computing
Seminar 9 – Programming and Mathematics, Computational Thinking
Seminar 10 – Assignment Plans and Feedback

COURSE DESCRIPTION
The course is aimed at experienced ICT teachers and new PGCE graduates who do not have a computing background but would like to develop the capacity for teaching Computing/Computer Science up to A level.

Students on this course have access to online materials to enhance their subject knowledge and learn programming (Python 3). They can also attend workshops on the Subject Knowledge Enhancement course in order to improve their knowledge of the course content of current GCSE and A level specifications.

HOW IS THE COURSE TAUGHT?
Module teaching includes two Saturday workshops one at the beginning and one in the middle of the module together with weekly tasks, readings and discussions in ten on-line sessions. A task related to the week’s theme usually including the study of a specific aspect of programming or computing education with each student posting their reactions, comments and reflections to an on-line asynchronous discussion board for others to view and respond. Online synchronous (chat) seminars in small groups to discuss the week’s theme. These happen on the same evening (Tuesday) each week.

OTHER RELATED COURSES
The 30 credits from this Short Course could be transferred in to an MA Education programme.

We hope that course participants will be interested in the MA Computing in Education

WHAT WILL I GET OUT OF IT?
The intended outcomes are that students will develop a critical understanding of the Pedagogy of Computer Science at secondary level enabling them to make critical, informed judgements in

managing the introduction of computing to the curriculum from years 7 to 13
developing strategies for selecting appropriate public examinations for their students, at KS4&5
writing schemes of work and devising assessment in line with research into the learning of computer science and programming
selecting and designing and developing their own resources and teaching materials to enhance the understanding of key concepts

for the teaching of computer science, including programming from 11-18.

This course is offered BOTH as a 30 credit module on the Modular Education MA and here as a standalone Short Course. Students successfully completing this course will gain 30 credits towards an Education Masters.

WHO IS IT FOR?
Trained and practising teachers of secondary ICT who wish to teach Computer Science.

ADDITIONAL MATERIALS
Guide to Teaching Computer Science: an Activity-Based Approach by Lapidot and Ragonis (available from FWB library in hard copy and electronic versions).

ADDITIONAL MATERIALS PURCHASE INFORMATION
GCSE and A level text books for Computing and Computer Science.
Specifications for current GCSE and A level examinations (available online on Exam Board websites).

FEES & OTHER INFORMATION
This course is partly funded through the Teaching London Computing project run by Queen Mary University of London in collaboration with King’s College London.
A number of teachers in London schools will benefit by receiving a 50% discount on the cost of the course through funding received by the TLC project from the London Schools Excellence Fund.
Course cost £1000, less discount £500 (for London Teachers), net cost £500.

COURSE TIMES
Saturdays 10am-4pm on campus and online Tuesdays 7-8pm

COURSE LEVEL
Masters

For more details and to apply for a place please visit the course information page.

18 June 2014 by Jo Brodie - 0 comments

Two new free computing workshops with Paul Curzon – 4pm, 25 Jun & 9 July in Hackney

We’re delighted to announce that Paul Curzon will be running another two free workshops for Computing teachers in London. These will take place in a school in Hackney on Wednesday 25 June (A) and Wednesday 9 July 2014 (B).

Workshop A – Invisible Palming! Intelligent paper? So what is an algorithm?
~~4pm, Wednesday 25 June 2014~~
~~Cardinal Pole School, 205 Morning Ln, Hackney, London E9 6LG~~

Workshop B – Programming Unplugged: Learning programming without computers
4pm, Wednesday 9 July 2014
Cardinal Pole School, 205 Morning Ln, Hackney, London E9 6LG
for a free place.

Our other events and courses
FREE: Paul is also presenting a talk “Teaching Computing Unplugged to Young Children” for primary school computing teachers, on 8 July 2014 at a two-day workshop event at Goldsmiths in London. Please note that registration for this event is via Goldsmiths (given in link).

NOT FREE: We also have a new short course for GCSE Computing teachers which will take place at KCL from 4-8 August (Mon-Fri) 2014. “Computing CPD GCSE Summer Holiday (1-week intensive)” costs £150 for London teachers and £300 for those outside London (if space is available)

22 May 2014 by Jo Brodie - 0 comments

FREE workshops next week at QMUL, for GCSE Computing teachers

Prof Paul Curzon will be delivering four FREE workshops during half-term next week at QMUL (Queen Mary University of London) on Monday . These are fun, inspiring ‘unplugged’-style sessions which look at some creative ways of getting students to think about computing and programming concepts, without relying on computers, and are aimed at GCSE Computing teachers who’ll be delivering the new Computing curriculum.

Each session is accompanied by lots of free classroom resources and activity sheets to download, and of course an opportunity to share ideas with other workshop attendees.

We’ve arranged things so that there’s an hour between the morning and afternoon sessions (to make it easier for those who’d like to attend two in a day) but you’re welcome to come to as many of the workshops as you like.

The workshops are

A. Computational thinking: Searching to Speak (Website) (Eventbrite tickets)
Tuesday 27 May, 11.30am to 1pm

B. Computational Thinking: it’s about people too (Website) (Eventbrite tickets)
Tuesday 27 May, 2pm-3.30pm

C. Invisible palming! Intelligent paper? So what is an algorithm? (Website) (Eventbrite tickets)
Wednesday 28 May, 11.30am to 1pm

D. Programming unplugged: learning programming without computers (Website) (Eventbrite tickets)
Wednesday 28 May, 2pm-3.30pm

← Download a free copy of our latest booklet ‘Searching to Speak’ (which accompanies the first workshop in the series, on Tuesday morning) – click to open the PDF or right-click / save as to save a copy.

The admin bit:
All the workshops are free and will take place in Room 1.02 in the Law Building on Mile End Road. For those attending both morning and afternoon sessions (there’s an hour between the workshops) there are lunch options on campus (Mucci or Curve as well as snack shops) and plenty of food places on Mile End Road including a Sainsbury’s. You can attend as many workshops as you like.

Please contact me (Jo, j.brodie@qmul.ac.uk) if you have any queries.

13 May 2014 by Jo Brodie - 0 comments

Know someone aged 15-18 interested in 3D animation? FREE 3Dami summer school in July/Aug

For UK students aged 15-18 there’s an opportunity to participate in a week-long summer school learning about 3D animation techniques. 3Dami are the people behind the event, which will take place at UCL Engineering in London, and here’s their ‘blurb’:

“3Dami is a 7 day summer school where groups of students run their own studio and create their own animated short film from scratch. It operates at the intersection of art and technology (computer science), and is well suited to students with an interest in both. Students get to experience a semi-realistic studio setup, and create their film as a real studio would – it requires teamwork, thinking on their feet and hard work. The skills taught are directly related to the film effects and computer game industries, both of which are booming in the UK. There will be an industry visit and talks given by experts. The event is completely free for UK students aged 15-18 (includes free food!) and runs at UCL (London) from July 24th to August 1st. Please visit the website (3dami.org) to watch last year’s films and for further details, including how to apply.”

“3Dami London are looking for 24 students to make up 3 film studios. Students are welcome to apply from all over the UK as long as they can sort out their own transportation and accommodation (hopefully there will be some bursaries available).”

You can also download the PDF poster to advertise in schools, click the picture below to open or right-click save as to save, and there’s a YouTube video below that.

The event will run Thursday 24th July – Friday 1st August (inclusive), most days start at 9am and finish at 5:00pm. On the final Friday there will be a première of the films to parents, friends and other dignitaries at UCL, this event is likely to finish around 8:30pm.

More information from 3Dami London 2014.

Click to open / save PDF poster

2 March 2014 by Jo Brodie - 0 comments

What’s happening at Teaching London Computing this week? – free workshop, job vacancy closing

1. Free workshop – Monday 3 March 2014
Prof Paul Curzon will be running the third in his four-part series of FREE workshops for computing teachers in London. The talk starts at 5.30pm, at Queen Mary University of London (nearest tubes Stepney Green and Mile End, or 25 and 205 buses).

Programming unplugged: learning programming without computers is an inspiring free unplugged session on introducing computing concepts into the classroom.

“It’s easy to assume that programming is something you have to learn at a computer but if you want your students to deeply understand programming concepts, rather than blindly getting programs to work then unplugged techniques can work really well to get students started. We will see how to program a robot face that is made of students, look at a simple way to give a deep understanding of how variables work by making them physical, and see how to compile programs onto your class instead of onto a computer.”

Paul’s next workshop, on Computational Thinking: it’s about people too, will be the last in this series, though the talks will be repeated. Free tickets for the event, on Monday 17 March 2014, are now available if you want to book a place.

2. Job vacancy closing – Tuesday 4 March 2014
We’re looking for a research assistant / postdoctoral research assistant to help us develop our teaching support resources and evaluate them. The job is based at Queen Mary University of London (Mile End campus).

3. Looking ahead to April – a new short CPD course
We’ll be running another CPD course for London computing teachers, at King’s College London. “Computing CPD GCSE one week Easter 2014” runs from Monday 7 to Friday 11 April 2014 and tickets are available from King’s website. They cost £150 for London teachers (who are eligible for a 50% discount thanks to our funding) and cost £300 for non-London teachers, if space is available.

21 February 2014 by Jo Brodie - 0 comments

New free workshop: Learning programming without computers

Prof Paul Curzon is currently running a series of free workshops for London computing teachers on Monday evenings (every second Monday) at Queen Mary University of London (QML). The next free session Learning programming without computers will take place on Monday 3 March at 5.30pm (registration from 5pm) in The Bancroft Building, Mile End campus.

“It’s easy to assume that programming is something you have to learn at a computer but if you want your students to deeply understand programming concepts, rather than blindly getting programs to work then unplugged techniques can work really well to get students started. We will see how to program a robot face that is made of students, look at a simple way to give a deep understanding of how variables work by making them physical, and see how to compile programs onto your class instead of onto a computer.”

For more information please visit the workshop’s information page: Learning programming without computers, and you can register for a free ticket using the Eventbrite button below.

for the free session on Monday 3rd March 2014, 17:30-19:00 (registration and refreshments from 5pm).

About us
Teaching London Computing is a joint project between QML and King’s College London (KCL), with support from Computing At School (CAS). We are supporting London computing teachers with a variety of classroom resources (free) and programming CPD courses for computing teachers (£150 for London teachers, £300 for others if space is available). We’re funded by the Mayor of London and Department for Education to provide this support.

5 February 2014 by Jo Brodie - 2 Comments

We’re hiring! Research / Postdoc Research Assistant needed for Teaching London Computing £31-34k, closing 4 March 2014

The Teaching London Computing project has a vacancy for a research assistant / post-doctoral research assistant. The post will be based in Queen Mary University of London. Information, including a copy of the job description, and how to apply can be found below – applications close on 4 March 2014.

Ref    QMUL3124
Region    London
Main Site    Mile End
QMUL Faculty    Science & Engineering
Dept    EECS (School of Electronic Engineering and Computer Science)
Full Time / Part Time    Full Time

Job Advert
QMUL@School of Electronic Engineering and Computer Science
Research Assistant / Postdoctoral Research Assistant

The School of Electronic Engineering and Computer Science at Queen Mary, University of London is seeking to appoint a Postdoctoral Research Assistant/Research Assistant as part of the ‘Confidently Teaching Secondary Computing’ project (www.teachinglondoncomputing.org). It aims to support London’s computing/ICT teachers by providing resources and courses and evaluating their effectiveness. Supervised by Prof Paul Curzon and Dr William Marsh, the successful candidate will undertake computer science education research in the context of school computing. This involves helping organise courses, the creation and distribution of resources, evaluating their effectiveness, analysing the data collected and writing up the results.

Applicants are expected to demonstrate expertise indicating a capability in empirical research methods and outstanding experience working with multiple stakeholders and in a deadline-driven environment. The successful candidate is especially expected to have substantial experience of education or related project evaluation. An excellent empirical research skill such as using interviews, surveys and focus groups is highly desirable.

The post is full time for 18 months (depending on the start date), starting as soon as possible. The starting salary will be in the range of £31,113 – £34,626 per annum inclusive of London allowance. Benefits include 30 days annual leave pro rata, defined benefit pension scheme and interest-free season ticket loan.

Candidates must be able to demonstrate their eligibility to work in the UK in accordance with the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006. Where required this may include entry clearance or continued leave to remain under the Points Based Immigration Scheme.

Informal enquiries should be addressed to Prof. Paul Curzon at p.curzon@qmul.ac.uk.

Details about the School can be found at www.eecs.qmul.ac.uk

To apply, please visit the Human Resources website on http://www.jobs.qmul.ac.uk and search with Vacancy Reference Number QMUL3124. Click on the job listing (appears as PDRA (FTC) TLC Project **Paul Curzon) then scroll to the bottom of the page and click on the ‘Apply for this job’ link.

A copy of the job description can also be found here: Teaching London Computing – RA PDRA February 2014

The closing date for applications is 4 March 2014

Interviews are expected to be held soon after the closing date.

Teaching London Computing: A RESOURCE HUB from CAS LONDON & CS4FN

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