Course on Computer Programming for GCSE child outside school

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harrow123
Posts: 299
Joined: Thu Oct 21, 2010 10:54 am

Course on Computer Programming for GCSE child outside school

Post by harrow123 »

My DS is in Yr 10 and he is not doing ICT/Computing as part of his GCSE subjects and he may not be doing at his A levels, as we may be concentrating on Maths/Sciences in his 6th Form.

We may apply for Computer science for Univerisy but I am just thinking he should do some kind of ICT/Programming soon so that he will know what is Computer programming and all. He will also have a clue on if he is going to like Programming or not ? hence I am looking for him to do some Programming course outside school.

Do you know any Educational Instituions/Group tutions who does provide this kind of traning

Please suggest and thanks for your help
Guest55
Posts: 16254
Joined: Mon Feb 12, 2007 2:21 pm

Re: Course on Computer Programming for GCSE child outside sc

Post by Guest55 »

He can teach himself online - scratch is a good starting point (used in primary).

Some students get a Raspberry Pi and create coding for that. Universities ask for Maths (and some F Maths) for a computing degree.
DC17C
Posts: 1197
Joined: Wed Oct 12, 2011 9:34 pm

Re: Course on Computer Programming for GCSE child outside sc

Post by DC17C »

Hi these might be of interest:

http://www.cambridgegcsecomputing.org/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/cat ... nd-digital" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
harrow123
Posts: 299
Joined: Thu Oct 21, 2010 10:54 am

Re: Course on Computer Programming for GCSE child outside sc

Post by harrow123 »

I am looking for a Summer course etc to happen in Institute and not online
Eccentric
Posts: 738
Joined: Fri Dec 19, 2014 8:58 pm

Re: Course on Computer Programming for GCSE child outside sc

Post by Eccentric »

I had been looking for a tutor in Python for my daughter for ages and eventually I put an add in Oxford University HUB newsletter and have found a really lovely DPhil student to teach her. Can I suggest that you try your local Uni newsletter?
Last edited by Eccentric on Wed Mar 18, 2015 3:55 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Guest55
Posts: 16254
Joined: Mon Feb 12, 2007 2:21 pm

Re: Course on Computer Programming for GCSE child outside sc

Post by Guest55 »

I understand but it will look more impressive on a UCAS form if it has been self-taught.
kenyancowgirl
Posts: 6738
Joined: Mon Oct 21, 2013 8:59 pm

Re: Course on Computer Programming for GCSE child outside sc

Post by kenyancowgirl »

harrow123 wrote:My DS is in Yr 10 and he is not doing ICT/Computing as part of his GCSE subjects and he may not be doing at his A levels, as we may be concentrating on Maths/Sciences in his 6th Form.

We may apply for Computer science for Univerisy but I am just thinking he should do some kind of ICT/Programming soon so that he will know what is Computer programming and all. He will also have a clue on if he is going to like Programming or not ? hence I am looking for him to do some Programming course outside school.

Do you know any Educational Instituions/Group tutions who does provide this kind of traning

Please suggest and thanks for your help

...."we may be concentrating.....We may apply for Computer science...."???? :shock:

So, you are going to be doing the same A levels and applying for a degree at the same time as him? :shock: May I respectfully suggest that you let him choose his A levels and degree based on his interests, abilities and affinities, not yours. If he is really interested, trying "Scratch" at home on his own, will give him a really good insight - if he hates it, then you won't have wasted any money on a summer course at an institution...other forms of childcare are available!! :wink:
RedVelvet
Posts: 546
Joined: Mon Oct 03, 2011 2:06 pm

Re: Course on Computer Programming for GCSE child outside sc

Post by RedVelvet »

I'd second a raspberry pi. Self taught is definitely possible, there are lots of online resources. Coding is a great skill, especially along with traditional sciences.

On a slightly different tack, if you're looking for some inspiration I'd recommend 'Mr Penumbra's 24 Hour Bookstore' by Robin Slone or 'The Fear Index' by Robert Harris. Both have interesting stories with a background of coding, quick reads too.
Peridot
Posts: 2195
Joined: Thu May 16, 2013 5:02 pm

Re: Course on Computer Programming for GCSE child outside sc

Post by Peridot »

kenyancowgirl wrote:
harrow123 wrote:My DS is in Yr 10 and he is not doing ICT/Computing as part of his GCSE subjects and he may not be doing at his A levels, as we may be concentrating on Maths/Sciences in his 6th Form.

We may apply for Computer science for Univerisy but I am just thinking he should do some kind of ICT/Programming soon so that he will know what is Computer programming and all. He will also have a clue on if he is going to like Programming or not ? hence I am looking for him to do some Programming course outside school.

Do you know any Educational Instituions/Group tutions who does provide this kind of traning

Please suggest and thanks for your help

...."we may be concentrating.....We may apply for Computer science...."???? :shock:

So, you are going to be doing the same A levels and applying for a degree at the same time as him? :shock: May I respectfully suggest that you let him choose his A levels and degree based on his interests, abilities and affinities, not yours. If he is really interested, trying "Scratch" at home on his own, will give him a really good insight - if he hates it, then you won't have wasted any money on a summer course at an institution...other forms of childcare are available!! :wink:
My thoughts entirely. When we had our talk about transition to sixth form at my son's school they were very, very clear that A level choices should absolutely be our offspring's decision, not ours. They are the ones who have to commit to doing all that work, after all, so they have to be passionate (sorry, horrible overused word) about their subject choices.
ToadMum
Posts: 11944
Joined: Wed Jan 18, 2012 12:41 pm
Location: Essex

Re: Course on Computer Programming for GCSE child outside sc

Post by ToadMum »

Peridot wrote:
kenyancowgirl wrote:
harrow123 wrote:My DS is in Yr 10 and he is not doing ICT/Computing as part of his GCSE subjects and he may not be doing at his A levels, as we may be concentrating on Maths/Sciences in his 6th Form.

We may apply for Computer science for Univerisy but I am just thinking he should do some kind of ICT/Programming soon so that he will know what is Computer programming and all. He will also have a clue on if he is going to like Programming or not ? hence I am looking for him to do some Programming course outside school.

Do you know any Educational Instituions/Group tutions who does provide this kind of traning

Please suggest and thanks for your help

...."we may be concentrating.....We may apply for Computer science...."???? :shock:

So, you are going to be doing the same A levels and applying for a degree at the same time as him? :shock: May I respectfully suggest that you let him choose his A levels and degree based on his interests, abilities and affinities, not yours. If he is really interested, trying "Scratch" at home on his own, will give him a really good insight - if he hates it, then you won't have wasted any money on a summer course at an institution...other forms of childcare are available!! :wink:
My thoughts entirely. When we had our talk about transition to sixth form at my son's school they were very, very clear that A level choices should absolutely be our offspring's decision, not ours. They are the ones who have to commit to doing all that work, after all, so they have to be passionate (sorry, horrible overused word) about their subject choices.
Unless we are talking about QE here, in which case all these fine words may be a little redundant?

Sorry, off-topic :roll: .
Outside of a dog, a book is a man's best friend. Inside of a dog it's too dark to read.Groucho Marx
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