The software, Computer Programming Environment (CPE) will give students and teachers access to a range of programming tools, helping schools introduce computational thinking, coding and algorithms into the curriculum. This will ensure that students have practical experience of designing and writing computer programs, and that they can understand the fundamental principles of computer science.
Schools in Northern Ireland are amongst the first to have access to the new programming environment with over 40 schools having registered to use the service within days of its launch. The service has been developed as part of the new C2k schools’ ICT service provided to every school in Northern Ireland.
Programming tools and applications are accessed within a virtual desktop via Capita’s My-School portal. This provides students with a safe, secure environment in which programming can be carried out.
The development applications available through CPE include:
- Alice: an 3D programming tool that makes it easy to create an animation for telling a story;
- Blue J: a Java development environment designed for beginners, used by millions worldwide;
- Python: a widely used general-purpose, high-level programming language.
Ed Brown, managing director, Capita Managed IT Solutions said: “This is a great opportunity for students to learn skills to help them write programs for computer games or design their own smartphone apps.
“CPE gives schools access to major applications used within the software development industry. Access is provided through individual computers in a secure, managed environment, allowing the freedom to edit, compile and run programs safe in the knowledge that the school’s local infrastructure is completely isolated.”