I.e rather than the ‘scratch’ unit which introduce all programming concepts, I work through each programming concept and tasks are available for concrete (physical), pictorial (scratch) and abstract (textual). Pupils can switch between depending on their progress. Just riffing really. [4/4]

I want to make the most of the engaging nature of microbits/robots etc, but want to make sure it’s worthwhile in laying the foundations of programming knowledge and skills. I’m considering a system whereby pupils can more easily move between concrete, pictorial and abstract at any stage. [3/4]

What seems to happen when they come to do edublocks is they’ve not really learned any core programming concepts from their scratch experience. This is despite them being referred to explicitly when the learning is happening. [2/?]

Yeah I try to do this, but the amount of knowledge that actually comes through when they revisit isn’t what I’d like. Typically just now it looks like: Primary - maybe scratch, maybe robots, maybe nothing S1 (Y7) - scratch S2 (Y8) - edublocks S3 onwards - textual programming [1/?]

Thanks for the book recommendation! Added to my kindle and looking forward to reading it

Luckily in Scotland they’re seen as two separate subjects - Admin & IT and Computing Science.

I think what’s been missing from my practice is the connecting the knowledge and skills between concrete, pictorial and abstract. Like everything, it’s finding the time!

In my maths dual qualification journey I have been learning a lot about #ConcretePictorialAbstract - could this be something adapted to programming education? Concrete - programming something physical Pictorial - Scratch or similar Abstract - Python

How do you make sure that the likes of Scratch and Physical Computing is worthwhile in laying foundations for textual programming? I often find learners remember ‘making a game’ or ‘making the robot move’ but don’t learn about sequencing, iteration, selection etc. #teamcompsci

Not posted on here really since the start of term… it’s been hectic! Thinking today about ensuring afterschool supported study is effective. What are others’ strategies? #teamcompsci#edusky