Using the correct vocabulary when teaching Computing is a vital aspect to support children’s and adults’ own understanding. Knowing and applying the appropriate terminology to use within lessons, enables . pupils to understand computing concepts within activities, developing their computational thinking. Encouraging children to understand this key vocabulary ensures that pupils can discuss tasks, their own ideas and thinking through the correct terminology supporting their development to become digitally literate.
Key Terms
- Abstraction – The removal of irrelevant or unnecessary information from an algorithm
- Algorithm – Rules or a step-by-step set of instructions to determine how something should be followed/work [Find out more]
- Coding – Writing a set of instructions or rules that tell programmes/computers what to do
- Computational Thinking – The human thought process aimed at solving problems through abstraction, creating algorithms, looking for patterns and breaking down problems into manageable parts. [Find out more]
- Debugging – Identifying and removing problems or errors within an algorithm [Find out more]
- Decomposition – The process of breaking down a bigger problem into smaller, simpler parts [Find out more]
- Hardware – The physical elements that make up computers/systems
- Input Device – A device that sends information to a computer (e.g. a keyboard) [Find out more]
- Logical Reasoning – the thought process that is used to determine the most efficient method of achieving a desired outcome
- Physical Device – A device that uses input/output devices [Find out more]
- Output Device – A device that receives information from a computer (e.g. a computer monitor) [Find out more]
- Remixing – Changing, redesigning and reinventing existing code
- Repetition – Sequences of code or parts of an algorithm that are repeated
- Selection – Opportunities created for input data to influence how an algorithm behaves
- Sequencing – Ordering an algorithm in a particular way that makes logical sense
- Software – information and programmes used by a computer
- Variables – A changeable value within a programme [Find out more]
References:
BBC (2018) BBC Bitesize – KS2 Computing [online] Available: <https://www.bbc.com/education/subjects/zvnrq6f> [Accessed: 15 May 2018].
Google images
Turvey, K., Potter, J., Burton, J. (2016) (7th Edition) Primary Computing and Digital Technologies: Knowledge, Understanding and Practice, London: Sage.
