There have been many discussions around the shortfall of pupils taking ‘Computer Science’ as a GCSE option and/or being limited to the brightest pupils, who have a good aptitude for Maths at an earlier age.
Technology and digital literacy should fundamentally be a core part of every pupil’s education today.
Whilst young people are more digitally adaptable, using devices and/or gaming daily, for some their competency levels for further education and the workplace fall short, which is why early exposure to robotic technology will help to explain their use – as well as open pathways to future learning and more specialised skills development.
To support these challenges, BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, in conjunction with the ICDL Foundation, has developed a brand-new qualification for Key Stage 2 and 3, to make technology fun at an earlier stage of education, whilst embedding a foundation of computer knowledge, that pupils can carry forward as they progress through their education.
ICDL Robotics will be a Level 1 qualification, includes teacher and learner resources and has been developed to engage and introduce young people to robotics.
The first phase of this qualification can be delivered within collaborative working groups or individually. Plus, your pupils get to build and programme a robot – how cool is that?
You can learn more about this brand-new and exciting qualification for schools in our forthcoming webinar ‘Teach Smarter with ICDL Robotics – an introduction to a brand-new qualification from BCS’ on Tuesday 29 June from 11-11:40am, where we’ll take a deep-dive into the programme and you will discover for yourself how this qualification will complement your current curriculum of learning, giving your pupils a bumper head-start in their education, that leads to a Level 1 qualification.
If you think your school could benefit by introducing a fun robotics qualification, register today!
During the summer months we are planning to hold ‘Train the Trainer’ bootcamps for schools who would like to trial this qualification to get you September-ready and those who pre-order will be able to benefit from early bird rates. More details will be disclosed during our webinar.
BCS Level 1 Smart Digital Award is available now and another one of our new qualifications for schools in 2021
Our brand-new BCS Level 1 Smart Digital Award in e-Safety addresses ubiquitous device use in 2021 giving pupils the tools they need to build themselves a responsible digital footprint and a solid foundation for their digital learning journey.
• smart-digital-esafety-qualification-specification.pdf (bcs.org)
• smart-digital-curriculum.pdf (bcs.org)
• smart-digital-factsheet.pdf (bcs.org)
Interested and want to talk to us about your requirements? Complete the form and we will get back to you: Become accredited (bcs.org).
Our BCS annual flagship virtual event is back for its third year, Thursday 24 June.
If you are keen to understand what good looks like for our education, children, and wider society? We all have a voice, and we want to hear yours!
For one day only, there will be plenty of opportunity to share your views via discussions, interactive polls, debates and Q&A.
Join our expert panel including Founder of Computer Aid, Tony Roberts, and Head of BCS Academic Education, Niel McLean where we will be discussing if ripping up and starting again could potentially lead to us providing a better computer education for our children and the wider society.
And, how as a wider society we can create conditions that allow individuals to express themselves online.
If that is not enough, you can engage throughout the day with influential figures from across industry and you will also get to hear from Vint Cert, Google Chief Web Evangelist, and coinventor of the internet protocol, widely recognised as one of the ‘Fathers of the Internet’.
What are you waiting for? Don’t delay – reserve your spot today!
Join our expansive network of teachers
Computing at School (CAS), powered by BCS, is a grassroots community of people passionate about Computing and working together to support teachers and ensure that every child has a world-leading computing education.
An understanding of computing enables citizens to make informed choices in our digital world. To get to that point, we need to encourage and equip school staff.
The CAS community of teachers, academics and industry professionals provides access to a range of resources and local events supporting continuing professional development.
Find out more about the resources/support available to you and what is on within your local community at computingatschool.org.uk and check out the CAS playlist on our YouTube channel.
