In an era of rapid technological advancement, the importance of equipping young learners with digital literacy skills can’t be overstated. To empower its students, Roedean Junior School has developed an innovative approach to Coding and Robotics.
Our approach to teaching Coding and Robotics is rooted in Piaget’s Constructivist Theory, which emphasises learning through hands-on experience and active engagement with the learning material. Piaget believed that children construct their understanding of the world by actively interacting with their environment, and this is precisely what we aim to foster at Roedean Junior School.
Much like Piaget’s theory suggests, our students learn best when they are actively engaged in the process of constructing knowledge. This hands-on approach not only makes learning coding constructs, robotics, and engineering theory more enjoyable but empowers our girls to become independent learners who can apply their skills in real-world contexts.
Coding from the ground up
The curriculum is built on three main pillars namely: Digital Citizenship, Digital Literacy, and Computer Science. Starting from Grade 0, students are introduced to the fundamental concepts of coding. The curriculum is designed to gradually build their computational thinking and problem-solving skills.
Grades 0 to 3 start each module with unplugged coding using Six Bricks by Hands-on Technologies to explore decomposition techniques and build on abstraction abilities and pattern recognition. We introduce students to Bee-Bots as early as Term 1 in Grade 0 to explore the concepts of algorithms, commands, and sequences.
Lego’s Spike Essential robotics sets are key in teaching, for example, event triggers, axle design, and propulsion in the Foundation Phase. Each grade level introduces age appropriate coding activities, block-based coding, and programming concepts, which ensures a scaffolded approach to learning.
Touch typing skills and keyboarding jargon, are taught from Grade 2 onwards with the help of an online typing agent that offers self-paced, age-appropriate typing lessons.
Digital citizenship
Digital citizenship is a key topic in all Junior School ICT lessons. We use a variety of thinking routines to discuss and unpack key issues, and dos and don’ts for online behaviour and habits. Celebrating International Safer Internet Day each February is an annual event.
Robotics: Bridging the digital divide
Robotic equipment not only adds a tangible dimension to students’ digital skills but also fosters creativity and teamwork. Students learn to design, build, and program robots, turning theoretical and abstract coding concepts into real-world applications. With the help of online coding platforms, such as Code.org and Scratch, students have access to simulators to illustrate the outcomes of the block-based code they compose.
To develop problem-solving skills, creative thinking, and a deeper understanding of three-dimensional design, we introduce students to 3D modelling software like Tinkercad, which is beginner-friendly and illustrates how one can create simple 3D designs and objects.
True to our philosophy of hands-on learning, students can try their hand at printing their designs to transform an abstract understanding of theory into a real-life object.
The extracurricular Robotics Club, a hub of innovation and creativity, offers students a platform to explore robotics further, beyond the curriculum outcomes and lesson plans. They participate in robotics competitions and engage in collaborative projects, bolstering their problem-solving abilities and teamwork.
Coding and Robotics in cross-disciplinary learning
Roedean believes in a multidisciplinary approach to education. Coding and Robotics are integrated into various subjects, enhancing the learning experience. For example, in Mathematics, students use coding to visualise complex concepts and solve mathematical problems or employ Virtual Reality headsets to view 3D shapes in a variety of contexts.
In Natural Science, STEAM and IBL, students experiment with robotics to gain a better understanding of physics and engineering principles. This approach not only strengthens their coding and robotics skills but demonstrates the practical utility of these skills.
By integrating these skills into the curriculum from an early age, employing a cross-disciplinary approach, and fostering a culture of continuous learning at Roedean, we are shaping a generation of students who are academically proficient, technologically savvy, and ready to excel in the digital age. Roedean is dedicated to nurturing the next generation of capable and responsible digital leaders and #girlsWhoCode.