Computing at School Virtual Showcase 2021

The latest innovations in computing education and digital skills will be celebrated with a fortnight long programme of free online events, opening on Monday 21 June.

The CAS Virtual Showcase, hosted by Computing at School (CAS) is a two-week programme looking at all aspects of tech education, from the ethics of AI to online homework.

Running from Monday 21 June to Friday 2 July, it brings together teachers and experts from the CAS community, guest speakers and industry leaders to offer around 25 free online events and webinars.

The CAS Virtual Showcase, run in association with the National Centre for Computing Education (NCCE), launched last year as an online event to share innovative ideas to inspire the teaching community.

Events are free, and are open to all teachers, in primary or secondary, whether or not they are members of CAS.

Beverly Clarke, National CAS Community Manager at BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT said: “The 2020 CAS Virtual Showcase was a hugely successful programme, which saw over 500 people attending a wide variety of events. We’re building on the success of last year and are really excited about the programme we’ve put together for 2021’s event. It’s been a momentous year for everyone working in education and the CAS Virtual Showcase is an opportunity to share experiences, expertise and the latest developments.

“The big themes for this summer showcase will see sessions for primary and secondary teachers, focussing on non-digital remote education, cybersecurity, wellbeing, artificial intelligence, primary subject leaders, EYFS, A-level.

“There are also collaborations with STEM Ambassador and NCCE Computing Hubs, Barefoot Computing, and for the first time we will also be featuring an Instagram Live session. It’s going to be an exciting fortnight!”

There are webinars looking at encouraging girls to take computing, supporting students progressing from GCSE to A level and Instagram Live sessions covering topics such as tips for Trainee Teachers and EYFS practitioners,
Prof Simon Peyton Jones, chair of the NCCE and one of CAS’ founders, said;

“The CAS Virtual Showcase gives a vivid and up-to-date window into the vibrant state of computing as a school subject. From diversity to progression, from A level to cross-curricular computing, from homework to SEND, you will get state-of-the-art insight from education leaders and classroom teachers.  The Showcase is not to be missed.”

CAS Virtual Showcase sees keynote speaker Baasit Siddiqui, teacher, education campaigner, and TV personality from Channel 4’s Gogglebox, talking about Accessing Aspirations through Digital Literacy. His talk, on Monday 21 June, will look at how digital literacy can help build confidence, allow engagement, and give young people a drive when considering their futures as well as support social mobility.

Fellow keynote speaker, Kate Arthur, founder of Kids Code Jeunesse, a charity which introduces computational thinking, coding, artificial intelligence and ethics to communities across Canada, will be looking at how digital citizenship can play its part in meeting the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

“While we are facing crises in climate, public health, social justice, and global education, as educators, we have the opportunity to equip young people with the tools to address them. I’m looking forward to bringing what I’ve learned in Canada to the audience at CAS in June,” said Kate. Her talk, Empowering kids to tackle the ethical questions of AI and to meet the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, is on Monday 29 June 4pm.

Visit computingatschool.org.uk for full details of the CAS Virtual Showcase programme and to book your free place.