Learning to Code in Computing

Children’s progression with coding can be seen in these photos. Children are learning that computers accept instructions (commands), that these instructions need to be in a particular order (sequence) and that we can create sets of instructions for a computer (algorithms). Through learning cause and effect, exploring block-based programming, applying it to real-life LEGO models, they are able to begin to master the Swift programming language on iPad.

Robot Lab in Nursery

Nursery have access to a range of Toca Boca ‘digital toys’, such as ‘Toca Robot Lab’ (pictured), ‘Toca Train’ or ‘Toca Hair Salon’. These introduce children to cause and effect and how children’s interactions with the iPad can achieve different things. In the photograph, the girl is designing her own robot that she will then fly through a level to collect stars.

Scratch in Year 2

In Year 2 this term we have been exploring coding through the app Scratch Jr. We are reasonably familiar with the app having explored it in Year 1 too. In the photo we have begun deepening our knowledge and skills with coding by coding concurrently. The children have been using concurrent coding techniques to have the cat sprite jump from stepping stone to stepping stone.

LEGO WeDo in Year 3

Year 3 have been building LEGO WeDo models and then programming them to perform certain tasks. This photo shows how a child has altered a model to add a distance sensor and then has programmed it so that the space rover stops when it nears an object.

Swift Playgrounds in Year 5

In Year 5 we have been learning to code through Swift Playgrounds. Year 5 is the first year where we look at this coding app. The children start by looking at commands which is evidenced above before moving onto Functions. The children are learning about the principals of coding before putting into practice by coding the character Byte through the levels of increasing complexity.