Teaching Computing (FutureLearn)

Teaching Computing (FutureLearn)

A free online course for primary and secondary school teachers who are tackling the Computing curriculum in England. This free online course aims to help teachers in primary and secondary schools, especially those who previously taught other subjects including ICT. It was originally created by UEA with sponsorship from Computing at School (CAS) and BT. CAS have asked the National STEM Learning Centre to host a fourth run of this successful course.

Class Deals by MOOC List - Click here and see FutureLearn's Active Discounts, Deals, and Promo Codes.

Get the latest information, to teach great Computing lessons
With a mixture of subject knowledge and pedagogical advice, the course is aimed at both subject specialists and primary teaching non-specialists.
Expert Master Teachers from Computing at School have helped to design it, to make sure you have the latest information to take into your classroom and teach great Computing lessons.

Understand the new Computing curriculum and how to deliver it
Computing encompasses many of the skills that used to be taught under the old subject, ICT, but the new curriculum is also enhanced with computer science skills, as well as digital literacy, digital citizenship and digital scholarship.
Over six weeks, you’ll develop the skills you need to teach the new curriculum, getting both subject knowledge guidance, as well as advice about planning, teaching and assessing pupil learning.
The course will link to materials in the BBC Make It Digital initiative, enabling teachers to include these exciting new materials in their teaching.
At the end, you’ll also consider what’s next, with advice on subject leadership and developing a computing policy for your school.
Throughout, you will have the chance to work with other teachers and experts in a flexible, self-paced learning environment.

What topics will you cover?

Week 1: Introduction to the computing curriculum
The computing curriculum
Talking about computing

Week 2: Learning and teaching in computing
What happens in computing lessons?
Pupil learning in action
Teaching computing in action
What have you got planned?

Week 3: Subject knowledge
Subject knowledge - computer science
Subject knowledge - digital literacy and ICT

Week 4: Assessing pupil learning
The practical issues of assessment
Grading pupil work
Expectations of computing

Week 5: Digital citizenship & scholarship
The internet
Digital Citizens and Scholars
E-safety

Week 6: Next steps in teaching computing
Subject leadership and whole school issues in computing
Peer review activity

Go to Class
MOOC List is learner-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Related Courses

Exploring Gender Equality in Education (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
British Council

Exploring Gender Equality in Education (FutureLearn)

Build the skills and strategies to make your school more inclusive by recognising and responding to gender inequality. Gain greater awareness of issues around gender inequality in education. Education systems can present both opportunities and barriers to gender equality. On this three-week course from the British Council, you’ll hear how schools can become more gender-responsive, reflect on opportunities in your own learning environment, and gain practical approaches to put these into action.

Mar 6th 2023
3 Weeks
Computer Programming for Everyone (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
University of Leeds,Institute of Coding

Computer Programming for Everyone (FutureLearn)

Discover the art of computer programming and learn what code can do with the Institute of Coding and the University of Leeds. Explore computer programming and complete block-language programming exercises. What are computers good at and how can you get the best out of them? On this course, you’ll find out how and why people program computers.

Sep 4th 2023
2 Weeks
Study UK: A Guide for Education Agents (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
British Council,The GREAT campaign,Study UK

Study UK: A Guide for Education Agents (FutureLearn)

Develop your knowledge of UK education, the UK as a study destination and the benefits of Study UK. Develop your knowledge of studying in the UK. This online course from the British Council will provide international education agents with training and advice on all aspects of UK education. Further information is included around becoming a professional education agent for the UK if relevant for you.

Oct 17th 2022
3 Weeks
The Online Educator: People and Pedagogy (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
The Open University

The Online Educator: People and Pedagogy (FutureLearn)

Design engaging courses, make your teaching more inclusive, navigate online research ethics and shape your digital identity. Enhance your online teaching with strategies from educational technology experts. As e-learning becomes ever-more widespread, online educators are being required to design learning experiences that engage and meet the needs of very diverse learners.

May 13th 2024
4 Weeks
Dangerous Questions: Why Academic Freedom Matters (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
University of Oslo,Scholars at Risk

Dangerous Questions: Why Academic Freedom Matters (FutureLearn)

Explore the meaning of academic freedom and how it relates to core higher education and societal values. Challenge the limits to critical inquiry. Academic freedom is a fundamental value in modern higher education and research. On this course, you’ll find out how we can use academic freedom to ask critical questions and contribute to a democratic society.

Mar 6th 2023
3 Weeks
Inside Digital Higher Education: Self-Assessment Guide for Educators (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
Dublin City University

Inside Digital Higher Education: Self-Assessment Guide for Educators (FutureLearn)

Learn how to respond to the changing digital learning landscape and gain the skills needed for self-assessment in education. Harness the potential of digital teaching and learning at your institution. In recent years, there has been an increased focus on digital teaching and learning in higher education. This two-week course will help you as an educator develop strategic institutional responses to the changing digital learning landscape.

Jan 30th 2023
2 Weeks
Teacher Training: Choosing the Right PGCE for You (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
Coventry University

Teacher Training: Choosing the Right PGCE for You (FutureLearn)

Find the right path into teaching for you and get the chance to build the confidence and skills you need for working in teaching. Explore what it takes to become a teacher – and the skills you need to get there. This course aims to develop your understanding of the teaching sector and identify and improve upon the skills you need to become a great teacher.

Sep 2nd 2024
2 Weeks
Interdisciplinary Learning: Working Across Disciplines (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
University of Leeds

Interdisciplinary Learning: Working Across Disciplines (FutureLearn)

Thinking of doing an interdisciplinary degree? Learn how to study and work in an interdisciplinary environment. Harness the benefits of interdisciplinary study and work. Real life problems are too complex to be solved by a single field of study. That’s why learning to work across different disciplines is a vital skill in our modern society.

Feb 16th 2026
2 Weeks
Successful PhD Supervision: A Shared Journey (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
University of Groningen,University Medical Center Groningen - UMCG

Successful PhD Supervision: A Shared Journey (FutureLearn)

Discover some essential supervision skills and strategies to help you support your PhD candidate on their journey to success. Understand your role in the shared journey of PhD supervision. During this three-week course from the University of Groningen, you will reflect on your role and responsibilities in the shared journey of PhD supervision. With the mentoring skills and strategies you develop over the course, you’ll be equipped to support, inspire, and guide your candidate towards success.

Nov 6th 2023
3 Weeks
Critical Thinking at University: An Introduction (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
University of Leeds

Critical Thinking at University: An Introduction (FutureLearn)

Critical thinking is a vital skill for university study whatever your discipline. Prepare for university now. Make sure you have the critical thinking skills required for university. Critical thinking is a vital skill at university and later in life. University study introduces you to new concepts, ways of learning and requires you to think critically. You need to know how to question information sources and how to evaluate different arguments.

Feb 16th 2026
2 Weeks
Get Started Teaching Computing in Primary Schools: Preparing to teach 5 - 11 year olds (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
Raspberry Pi Foundation,National Centre for Computing Education

Get Started Teaching Computing in Primary Schools: Preparing to teach 5 - 11 year olds (FutureLearn)

Improve your subject knowledge and develop inclusive lessons to teach computing to primary school pupils (aged 5 to 11 years old). Learn key concepts from the computing curriculum alongside education experts. It’s crucial for young people to develop their computing knowledge and skills so that they can understand and participate in our increasingly digital world - being creators rather than solely consumers. On this four-week course you’ll start by thinking about why it’s important for your primary school students (aged 5-11) to learn computing.

Mar 6th 2023
4 Weeks