As I return to the classroom this September

I return not only to teaching the children in my class

But also leading a curriculum area

At university I specialised in English

It will always be my first love

My true passion

But I also love leading ICT

Information Communication Technology

Which has very recently been been replaced in schools as a subject

With Computing

The new 2014 National Curriculum introduces a computing curriculum

That enables children to learn not just how to use technology

To facilitate learning in other subject areas

But that is a subject in it’s own right

A subject with three strands

Computer Science

Information Technology

and

Digital Literacy

Children will be learning computational thinking

They will learn skills needed to solve problems

To think creatively

With or without a computer or other device

They will write algorithms

Create and debug simple programs

They will learn how to use technology purposefully

To create, organise, store, manipulate and retrieve digital content

Children will recognise common uses of information technology beyond school

And they will be taught to use technology safely and respectfully

Keeping personal information private

E-Safety advice will be offered not only to children

But to parents, Governors and staff

The world as we know it is rapidly changing

The kids are keeping up with it

The curriculum is trying to keep up with them

I welcome the updated computing curriculum

And I am very excited about teaching it

I am hoping to inspire the children I teach

With potential and possibility

I want to help show the next generation

How a command of computer science

Will change the way they

View and experience the world

The children in our schools today

Will be exploring things we never did

Things many of us never will

Things lifted from our favourite sci fi movies

Things we questioned would ever come true

Building machines

Controlling robots

Augmented reality

Voice controlled technology

Facial recognition software

Self driving cars

Things we have only imagined

Our children will learn

Our children will live

Scary? Yes.

Exciting? Endlessly yes!

And I am honoured to play my tiny part

Hurry up September!

This is a collaborative post