Rising Stars have been working with Makewav.es to develop a set of digital badges to support assessment for the primary computing curriculum, with each of the programme of study bullet points mapped to its own badge. These are linked to the outcomes from units in Switched on Computing, but as they’re available to all Makewav.es users (free registration required) and are based on the programme of study content I think they’d work very well for schools using their own or other schemes of work too.

As these are based on Mozilla‘s excellent Open Badge infrasturcture, the badges are portable so can be converted into Open Badges when pupils hit the age of thirteen and can create their own personal Open Badge accounts.

I’d see this as a great way to record and reward pupils’ attainment against the statutory attainment target for the new curriculum:

By the end of each key stage, pupils are expected to know, apply and understand the matters, skills and processes specified in the relevant programme of study.

Key Stage 1

Problem solver 1 understand what algorithms are, how they are implemented as programs on digital devices, and that programs execute by following precise and unambiguous instructions

Programmer 1 create and debug simple programs

Logical Thinker 1 use logical reasoning to predict the behaviour of simple programs

Content Creator 1 use technology purposefully to create, organise, store, manipulate and retrieve digital content

Beyond School recognise common uses of information technology beyond school

E-safety 1 use technology safely and respectfully, keeping personal information private; identify where to go for help and support when they have concerns about content or contact on the internet or other online technologies

Key Stage 2

Problem solver 2 design, write and debug programs that accomplish specific goals, including controlling or simulating physical systems; solve problems by decomposing them into smaller parts

Programmer 2 use sequence, selection, and repetition in programs; work with variables and various forms of input and output

Logical thinker 2 use logical reasoning to explain how some simple algorithms work and to detect and correct errors in algorithms and programs

Communicator understand computer networks, including the internet; how they can provide multiple services, such as the World Wide Web, and the opportunities they offer for communication and collaboration

Searcher use search technologies effectively, appreciate how results are selected and ranked, and be discerning in evaluating digital content

Content Creator 2 select, use and combine a variety of software (including internet services) on a range of digital devices to design and create a range of programs, systems and content that accomplish given goals, including collecting, analysing, evaluating and presenting data and information

E-safety 2 use technology safely, respectfully and responsibly; recognise acceptable/unacceptable behaviour; identify a range of ways to report concerns about content and contact