Teaching Programming in Primary Schools

This module introduces the fundamental understanding of how to effectively teach programming concepts to primary school students. Students will explore the intersection of subject matter expertise and teaching methodology, learning how to translate complex programming ideas into age-appropriate instruction for 5-11 year olds.

This module explores two important educational frameworks for structuring learning objectives and assessing student understanding. Students will learn how to apply Bloom's taxonomy and SOLO (Structure of Observed Learning Outcomes) to design programming lessons that progress from basic knowledge to higher-order thinking skills.

This module introduces the concept of semantic waves as a pedagogical tool for programming education. Students will learn how to model learning sequences that move between concrete and abstract concepts, helping young learners build understanding through structured progression between different levels of complexity.

This module examines two fundamental approaches to teaching and learning programming. Students will explore the differences between instructivist methods (teacher-directed) and constructivist approaches (learner-centered discovery), understanding when and how to apply each theory in programming education for primary school students.

This module focuses on providing appropriate support structures for young programming learners. Students will learn how to implement scaffolding techniques that gradually reduce support as learners become more independent, creating a seamless transition from guided instruction to autonomous problem-solving in programming contexts.

This module teaches educators how to present programming concepts at different levels of complexity and abstraction. Students will learn to break down complex programming ideas into manageable components, helping young learners understand fundamental concepts before progressing to more sophisticated implementations.

This module covers the core programming concepts essential for primary school programming education. Students will learn effective strategies for teaching sequence (order of instructions), repetition (loops), variables (data storage), and selection (conditional statements) to young learners using age-appropriate methods and examples.

This module explores balanced approaches to programming instruction that combine structured guidance with exploratory learning. Students will learn how to design activities that provide clear direction while encouraging creativity and discovery, helping young learners develop both technical skills and problem-solving confidence.

This module introduces the progressive 'Use-Modify-Create' framework for programming education. Students will learn how to structure lessons where learners first use existing code, then modify it to understand functionality, and finally create their own programs, building confidence and understanding through scaffolded practice.