Introducing computing in your classroom, module 1

The first module of this MOOC, organized by the European Schoolnet Academy, explored what computing is, why it is important to teach at primary level and what areas to focus on in teaching computing.

On this module I've learnt that computing is much more than coding or programming. It's roughly equivalent to what is called ICT in schools and IT in industries (in Spanish, informática) meanwhile coding refers to the writing of programs (regarded as pieces of text in specific languages that can be processed by computers directly)

I've specially enjoyed this video on which Ali Partovi (co-founder of code.org) explains why it is so important to invest on public education and to develop computational thinking (even though he refers to coding all the time)

Knowing how things work is empowering (...) education is about preparing kids for life @apartovi https://t.co/iODwHELFpZ #CScourse #eskills

— Fran Música (@FPVMus) noviembre 20, 2015

The first module has also focused on the idea that developing computational thinking you are also helping to develop some non-technical skills, let's say competencies for life such as:

• Confidence in dealing with complexity,
• Persistence in dealing with difficult problems,
• Tolerance for ambiguity,
• The ability to deal with open ended problems,
• The ability to communicate and work with others to achieve a common goal or solution
• The ability to be creative