“A computer is like a violin.” You can imagine it making beautiful music, but you have to learn how to play it.”  Bill Gates

What would our world be if we took a step back in time? Without technology? Without the internet? Without social media? Simpler perhaps but less connected, less efficient. At Madresfield, digital citizens are born.

With a curriculum that is built with safety at its heart, we empower children to navigate the technological world that they will grow up in. Equipping them to use technological systems and become digitally literate as active participants in our ever-changing world. 

Madresfield's map to proficient digital citizens

The first steps to become a successful digital citizen:

• Following and giving instruction
• Learning how to explore and tinker with hardware
• Recognising and identifying familiar letters and numbers on a keyboard
• Developing basic mouse skills such as moving and clicking

I'm in EYFS, I've grown up surrounded by screens and technology, my memories and milestones stored on hardware I'm yet to learn about. There is a digital world that I am sheltered from but it is time to make a gentle step so that I can safely navigate a world that will one day be mine to live in, on my own.

I can: 

• Operate a camera to take photographs of meaningful creations or moments.
• Explore and tinker with hardware to develop familiarity and introduce relevant vocabulary.
• Recognise familiar letters and numbers on a keyboard.
• Use basic mouse skills such as moving and clicking.
• Play with programming on the bee-bot and learning how to give simple commands.
• Debug instructions, with the help of an adult, when things go wrong.

KS1 already? The online world is more important to me than it was before, there are games that I love to play with my friends. I'm curious and want to learn more, Google is starting to help me with that. I know it is important to stay safe online, my grown ups always watch me and put controls in to help to keep me safe.

I can: 

• tell you what an algorithm is and how they are used
• follow precise and unambiguous instructions
• create and debug simple programs
• use logical reasoning to predict the behaviour of simple programs
• use technology purposefully to create, organise, store, manipulate and retrieve digital content
• recognise common uses of information technology beyond school
• use technology safely and respectfully

KS2, my final destination. The digital world has become an extremely important part of my life. It is how I stay connected, it is how I communicate, it's where I feel most understood sometimes. It's becoming quite addictive now, I am learning how to balance my life on and off line. I am wanting autonomy, I know how to navigate technology safely but I know I still need my parents support. Technology is where I see my future heading, I want and need to understand it more. 

I can: 

• Design, write and debug programs that accomplish specific goals
• Use sequence, selection, and repetition in programs
• Use logical reasoning to explain how some simple algorithms work and to detect and correct errors
• Understand computer networks including the internet
• Use search technologies effectively
• Design and create a range of programs, systems and content that accomplish given goals,
• Use technology safely, respectfully and responsibly
• Report un-safe or inappropriate behaviours

It's time for new adventures, Year 7 awaits. My life will become increasingly more online but I know how to use it responsibly and safely. I am a coder; a designer; a safe internet-user. I am a digital-citizen and because of that my journey is only just beginning!

Useful Websites: 

JIT5 - This is a free site where children can write, paint, code, chart, animate, branch and create pictograms. It is child-friendly software that is accessible from EYFS to Year 6. 

 JIT5

Scratch - Get coding! Create games, stories and animations. Watch the tutorials and have fun!

Scratch - Imagine, Program, Share

TTRS - Practice your times table, challenge each other and compete to get a rock star status! Individual login required - please speak to your child's class teacher. Year 2 to Year 6!

Times Tables Rock Stars: Play

Numbots - practice your fluency of number, gain coins and creating your own personalised robot. Suitable from EYFS up. Individual login required - please speak to your child's class teacher. 

Numbots Game