How does computing help with core subjects?

Since being added to the National Curriculum in 2014, computing has helped hundreds of thousands of pupils to develop new digital skills. But the impact of that education goes far beyond just computing as a subject, as the skills learnt can be applied across the learning syllabus.

From aiding the development of problem solving and team working skills to enhancing communication, here we look at how computing can help with a range of core subjects.

Introducing National Coding Week

The addition of computing to the curriculum coincided with the launch of National Coding Week, the brainchild of head teacher Richard Rolfe and technology entrepreneur Jordan Love. Marked annually from the third Monday in September, it seeks to encourage more adults and young people to learn coding, while highlighting the benefits of possessing technological skills.

How computing helps develop a broad skill set

Knowledge of technology is increasingly important in the modern world, but an understanding of how to apply it is equally vital. Many of the skills can be applied in different aspects of the workplace, helping to equip young people with the tools they need to succeed. This also enables teachers to bring digital skills into other areas of the curriculum.

·        Computing and maths

Computing requires similar skills to those used in maths, as it requires the use of logic when trying to solve problems. Mathematical processes are found at the heart of computer algorithms, while computing can also help to build an understanding of data and how to use it.

The two subjects are often linked in higher education too, so the development of key skills at a young age can help to lay the foundations for children considering a career in IT or computer science.

·        Computing and English

The theory behind computing syntax – how data is ordered and understood – is closely linked to the syntax of the English language. An understanding of the basics can help pupils with their sentence structure, as it encourages them to give careful consideration to how sentences are formed. For example, does a line include all of the necessary information and does it drive the desired thought process among those reading it?

·        Computing and History

Computing can also provide a pathway for developing our understanding of past events and the people behind them. You may want to look into the life of Ada Lovelace, who wrote the world’s first computer program in 1843.

Alternatively, you could teach your class about the role of Alan Turing, a mathematician and computer scientist who is arguably one of 20th century Britain’s most influential figures. Considered to be one of the founding fathers of artificial intelligence, alongside his work on probability theory and machine learning, he was influential in helping the Allies to crack secretive German Enigma codes during the Second World War.

These are just a handful of instances where computing can be linked into other core subjects, but it can provide numerous routes for starting discussion and debate during lessons. Teachers looking to mark Coding Week in their classrooms can also find a wide range of resources on the National Coding Week website.