Upper Key Stage 2 Computational Thinking and Creativity
Introduction to Computational Thinking and Creativity

Begin to understand computer networks, including the internet, including the ways they provide multiple services such as the world-wide-web as well as the opportunities they offer for communication and collaboration. Research key people including Steve Jobs, Bill Gates and Jimmy Wales. Explore failure as an opportunity to learn. Respond to creative challenges and finally plan and film a short TED talk for younger children that collates useful strategies for overcoming problems.

Session 1 The internet and the web

Objectives

Computing

  • Understand computer networks including the internet, how they provide multiple services, such as the world wide web and the opportunities they offer for communication and collaboration.
  • Use search technologies effectively, appreciate how results are selected and ranked, and be discerning in evaluating digital content.
  • Be responsible, competent, confident and creative users of information and communication technology.
  • Evaluate and apply information technology, including new or unfamiliar technologies, analytically to solve problems.

Lesson Planning

Use role-play to understand how the internet works and the difference between the internet and the world-wide-web; present your understanding through a video, presentation, poster or model.

Teaching Outcomes:

  • To understand the difference between the internet and the world-wide-web and how the web needs the internet for its existence.
  • To evaluate and analyse the importance of computer networks on our lives.

Children will:

  • Understand the difference between the internet and the world-wide-web and how the web needs the internet for its existence.
  • Evaluate and analyse the importance of computer networks on our lives.
  • Present their understanding of the internet and web through a video, presentation, poster or model.

You Will Need

  • Inflatable globe or hula hoop
  • Card and pens
  • Lego™
  • Books of different genres
  • Wool and tape
  • Chalk
  • Post it notes or paper & tape

Session 2 Creative minds and entrepreneurs

Objectives

Computing

  • Understand computer networks including the internet, how they provide multiple services, such as the world wide web and the opportunities they offer for communication and collaboration.
  • Use search technologies effectively, appreciate how results are selected and ranked, and be discerning in evaluating digital content.
  • Be responsible, competent, confident and creative users of information and communication technology.
  • Evaluate and apply information technology, including new or unfamiliar technologies, analytically to solve problems.

Lesson Planning

Create a time line of the main internet developments since the invention of the web; research key people including Steve Jobs, Bill Gates and Jimmy Wales; explore failure as an opportunity to learn and how internet entrepreneurs have understood and utilised this.

Teaching Outcomes:

  • To understand and research key events and people surrounding the development of the web.

Children will:

  • Become familiar with the time line of the main developments since the invention of the web
  • Understand and research some of the people who have played an important role in the development of the web, including Steve Jobs, Bill Gates and Wikipedia pioneer Jimmy Wales
  • Understand the relationship between creativity and risk and explore the idea of failure as being an opportunity to learn

Provided Resources

  • A brief history of the internet
  • Quotes from 3 great entrepreneurs
  • Quotes about success and failure

You Will Need

  • Access to the internet
  • Large roll of paper and scissors
  • Dictionaries

Session 3 Solving Steve Jobs' problem

Objectives

Computing

  • Understand computer networks including the internet, how they provide multiple services, such as the world wide web and the opportunities they offer for communication and collaboration.
  • Use search technologies effectively, appreciate how results are selected and ranked, and be discerning in evaluating digital content.
  • Be responsible, competent, confident and creative users of information and communication technology.
  • Evaluate and apply information technology, including new or unfamiliar technologies, analytically to solve problems.

Lesson Planning

Respond to a challenge from Steve Jobs and design a new Apple product; discuss the existing Apple models and think what might be needed in the future.

Teaching Outcomes:

  • To design and review a product to meet a brief from Steve Jobs.

Children will:

  • Consider the current range of products by Apple and Pixar.
  • Research and explore a challenge to create another product.
  • Review and discuss the designs together.

You Will Need

You do not need any particular resources for this session.

Session 4 Rising to Bill Gates' challenge

Objectives

Computing

  • Understand computer networks including the internet, how they provide multiple services, such as the world wide web and the opportunities they offer for communication and collaboration.
  • Use search technologies effectively, appreciate how results are selected and ranked, and be discerning in evaluating digital content.
  • Be responsible, competent, confident and creative users of information and communication technology.
  • Evaluate and apply information technology, including new or unfamiliar technologies, analytically to solve problems.

Lesson Planning

Understand the contribution that the Bill and Melinda Gates have made to the world; respond to their philanthropic challenge.

Teaching Outcomes:

  • To become familiar with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and to consider a response to their philanthropic challenge.

Children will:

  • Consider the extent of the philanthropic work undertaken by Bill Gates.
  • Understand the contribution he and Microsoft have made to the world.
  • Become familiar with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and to consider a response to their philanthropic challenge.

You Will Need

You do not need any particular resources for this session.

Session 5 Writing for Jimmy Wales

Objectives

Computing

  • Understand computer networks including the internet, how they provide multiple services, such as the world wide web and the opportunities they offer for communication and collaboration.
  • Use search technologies effectively, appreciate how results are selected and ranked, and be discerning in evaluating digital content.
  • Be responsible, competent, confident and creative users of information and communication technology.
  • Evaluate and apply information technology, including new or unfamiliar technologies, analytically to solve problems.

Lesson Planning

Receive a message from Jimmy Wales explaining the collective nature of Wikipedia and respond to his challenge to compile a class contribution; take part in planning, researching and group open editing of a class text.

Teaching Outcomes:

  • Explore the collective nature of Wikipedia by accepting a challenge to compile a class piece of research.
  • To understand that Wikipedia is based on an open editing approach.
  • To explore the way text can be edited by someone other than its author and the skills required to do that sensitively and accurately.

Children will:

  • Explore the collective nature of Wikipedia by accepting a challenge to compile a class piece of research.
  • Understand that Wikipedia is based on an open editing approach.
  • Explore the way text can be edited by someone other than its author.
  • Become aware of the skills required to edit the work of others sensitively and accurately.

You Will Need

  • Strips of paper and pencils
  • Access to photocopier
  • Sticky notes

Session 6 TED talks

Objectives

Computing

  • Understand computer networks including the internet, how they provide multiple services, such as the world wide web and the opportunities they offer for communication and collaboration.
  • Use search technologies effectively, appreciate how results are selected and ranked, and be discerning in evaluating digital content.
  • Be responsible, competent, confident and creative users of information and communication technology.
  • Evaluate and apply information technology, including new or unfamiliar technologies, analytically to solve problems.

Lesson Planning

Learn about TED talks and its slogan ‘Ideas Worth Spreading’; plan and film a short TED talk for younger children that collates all the useful strategies you have used to overcome any problems you have had during this block.

Teaching Outcomes:

  • To discuss, plan for and film a short TED talk type video about resilience and useful strategies when things are not going according to plan.

Children will:

  • Understand what a slogan is and the meaning of the TED talks slogan.
  • Be able to plan for and film a short TED talk type video for younger children about resilience and useful strategies when things are not going according to plan.

Provided Resources

This session does not need any provided resources.

You Will Need

  • Strips of card and pens
  • Access to internet and YouTube (TED talks)
  • Video-enabled devices
  • Popcorn