1st Edition
Teaching Computing in Secondary Schools A Practical Handbook
This book provides a step-by-step guide to teaching computing at secondary level. It offers an entire framework for planning and delivering the curriculum and shows you how to create a supportive environment for students in which all can enjoy computing. The focus throughout is on giving students the opportunity to think, program, build and create with confidence and imagination, transforming them from users to creators of technology.
In each chapter, detailed research and teaching theory is combined with resources to aid the practitioner, including case studies, planning templates and schemes of work that can be easily adapted. The book is split into three key parts: planning, delivery, and leadership and management, and covers topics such as:
- curriculum and assessment design
- lesson planning
- cognitive science behind learning
- computing pedagogy and instructional principles
- mastery learning in computing
- how to develop students’ computational thinking
- supporting students with special educational needs and disabilities
- encouraging more girls to study computing
- actions, habits and routines of effective computing teachers
- behaviour management and developing a strong classroom culture
- how to support and lead members of your team.
Teaching Computing in Secondary Schools is essential reading for trainee and practising teachers, and will prove to be an invaluable resource in helping teaching professionals ensure that students acquire a wide range of computing skills which will support them in whatever career they choose.
Table of Figures Foreword Acknowledgements Introduction Part 1: Planning Chapter 1. Designing a Secondary Curriculum Map Chapter 2. Medium Term Planning Chapter 3. Lesson Planning Part 2: Delivery Chapter 4. Research-based Instructional Principles Chapter 5. Actions, Habits and Routines in the Computing Classroom Chapter 6. Pedagogical Content Knowledge in Computing Part 3: Leadership and Management Chapter 7. Personal Leadership Chapter 8. Managing and Leading Others Chapter 9. Cultivating an Environment for Growth Chapter 10. Where Next? Index Bibliography
Biography
William Lau is currently in charge of Key Stage 4 Computing at Central Foundation Boys’ School in London. Lau has taught computing from Key Stages 1 through 5 in three London state schools and in an International school in Seychelles. He has delivered CPD at various UK schools and universities, specialising in curriculum design, assessment design and computing pedagogy. He has mentored trainee teachers at King’s College London and the University of Roehampton. Lau is a CAS Master Teacher and a Google Certified Innovator. In July 2017 he received an international Award for Teaching Excellence in computer science from the Infosys Foundation in the US, the Association for Computing Machinery and the Computer Science Teachers Association. He was head of computing at the Greenwich Free School until August 2017.
"I will be recommending this book to all the secondary school computer science teachers I know. The book is filled with insights from both scholarly research and the author's years of experience as a computing teacher. I predict that it will become part of the toolkit for all new Computing teachers." - Mark Guzdial, Georgia Institute of Technology, USA
"William Lau has created a wonderful resource for secondary school teachers to bring computing into the classroom. Lau’s beautifully written book provides a cross curricular approach, where computing is seen as a tool for problem-solving, self-expression and asking fertile questions about the world." - Linda Liukas, Author of Hello Ruby and Founder of Rails Girls
"A sensible, practical and thorough book for secondary computing teachers at any level of experience." - Jane Waite, CAS Regional Centre for London, UK
"William’s insight into computing is amazing! The book thoroughly explores the foundation of computing and provides very useful advice. I highly recommend this book if you want to take your teaching and innovation in your lessons to the next level." - Mark Martin, Urban Teacher Ed-Tech Expert & Start-Up Mentor
"Following his demonstration of exemplar studentship here at Warwick University, William has pursued a deep interest in the teaching of Computing in Key Stages 1-5. Through intensive study and practice, he has developed a deep understanding of teaching and learning especially as it applies to this challenging subject. He communicates his enthusiasm energetically, both in his own teaching and throughout the book. The book interleaves pedagogy, computing content, theoretical principles and good practices according to a well thought out, integrated and explicit architecture. It promises to be a valuable resource for teachers of this exciting and current subject." - Dr Andrew Martin, University of Warwick, UK
"This book is a one-stop shop for both teachers and leaders of computing in secondary schools (although much of it will be of use to primary colleagues too). The author, drawing on copious research as well as his own experience, provides extensive guidance. A must for every Computing teacher’s bookshelf." - Terry Freedman, Education Technology Consultant
"Schools in the US and UK are wisely striving to bring the study of Computing into the mainstream and make it accessible to all students. But as valuable as it is, it remains a complex subject, challenging to teach and fraught with logistical and pedagogical challenges that demand consideration. This book should be on the must-read list for any school or teacher that wants to add or refine a high quality Computing curriculum. It’s informed by careful study and application of learning science and drills down in the details of curriculum design and instructional methods. I highly recommend it." - Doug Lemov, Managing Director of Uncommon Schools, and author of Teach Like a Champion
"This book offers useful and very detailed advice on all aspects of teaching computing - covering planning, delivery, and leadership and management." - Terry Freedman, Teach Secondary
