Programming Support

Here are some tips on supporting SEND students with programming:

• Introduce key concepts, e.g. loops, variables, using unplugged activities to ensure a good understanding. You can teach these using physical tasks, or with image and audio support to help students access the learning.
• Encourage the use of computational thinking skills such as sequencing and decomposition to help students write their programs. Provide a planning sheet breaking down the tasks into smaller chunks, including key code snippets.
• Typing out a large amount of text may be a barrier to some students. Provide completed programs for them to tinker with and adapt, or a section of code to build upon.
• If using Python IDLE, allow students to adjust the settings to change the colour of text/background and font size and type to make it more readable.
• Certain software and physical computing devices can provide quick wins with a physical output, in order to increase engagement and build up confidence. A good text-based language to start with is Sonic Pi which is used to compose music. Most students will be able to code a simple tune in very little time, and the language is simpler to get started with than Python. Code Bug and the BBC micro:bit can be used with a block-based language, whilst teaching concepts such as variables and selection. Did you know that you can change the language on the Code Bug blocks and in Scratch? This is great for supporting students with English as an Additional Language.