Computing Wonders Education News from Alleyn's | www.alleyns.org.uk Rob Payne, teacher of ICT at Alleyn’s, explains how we can encourage our children in ICT.
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f you weren’t adept with computers before the first lockdown, the chances are you have improved, and your child is likely to have done so too. Knowledge of computer systems is increasingly important in our home-working/ hybrid computer information society, and while our children sometimes appear to teach themselves, it is important to encourage them to use these tools effectively and safely. Here are some ways to develop your child’s ICT know-how:
Computer Literacy Children can develop their creative skills through software applications, and if you follow your child’s interests in choosing these apps, they will engage fully. They may wish to design animated stories, games or scientific simulations using software like Scratch, remix music using GarageBand, or use PowerPoint to create animated presentations.
Specialising Encourage your child’s interest in coding with free online software such as iDEA, Lightbot, or Fotor, which offer tutorials on developing coding or building websites, editing photos and other ICT skills. If your child is interested in physical computing, check out the Raspberry Pi with Python.
Keyboarding Skills The ability to touch type is essential and the sooner your child learns to do it the sooner they will reap the benefits, reducing fatigue and screen time. There are free websites, like Typing Club, that your child can use to learn - and you’ll be surprised how quickly they pick it up with regular practice.
Talk About It Build your child’s enthusiasm for IT by discussing with them the role of computers in society, such as in health, commerce or the environment. Computers can help sustainability through automation, for example, by monitoring and controlling devices such as lighting to reduce light pollution and energy consumption. 20 | SE21 - March 2022
Stay Up To The Minute Develop your child’s understanding of computerrelated topics by watching presentations on computer-related current affairs on sites such as TEDTalk. Encourage them to research major contributors to the field of ICT like Ada Lovelace, Grace Hopper and Radia Perlman. Finally, make them aware of the Internet of Things - devices embedded in everyday objects that collect and share data.
Staying Safe The Internet offers exciting opportunities for your child to learn, research, and collaborate with others globally. Here are some tips to keep your child safe: • Keep devices in a family space where you can monitor activity • Ensure your child doesn’t post personal information or photos online without your permission • Video calls can be recorded so make sure your child understands not to say or do anything they would not want shared more widely • Ensure your child knows the settings of any software they are using, e.g how to blur the background on a video call • Ensure that they use passcodes where possible and change them regularly • Use monitoring programmes like Qustodio, Safe Kids, Net Nanny or Kaspersky
Useful Links www.idea.org.uk www.lightbot.com www.khanacademy.org www.fotor.com www.raspberrypi.org
