Guidance for creating content - Computing at School (CAS)

This guidance is designed to help collaborators who are creating articles for the CAS website and monthly newsletter.

1. Target Audience

Consider the audience/the reader and write the story they want to hear, not the one you want to write. What do they want to read about? What do they care about? Confront the reader question of “but what’s in it for me?” If that isn’t answered in the first line or two of the story, they may not read on. They won’t go hunting for the information which makes it applicable to them.

Think about the educators and members of our community who will read the content and use language that will register with them (see CAS Tone of Voice below). Write in the third person and explain acronyms the first time you use them (try to avoid them in general). Do not use jargon or assume knowledge on behalf of the audience.

 

2. Structuring Content

Here is a structure to follow depending on the topic. Aim to make the article between 500-1000 words.

• Title / headline - The heading should be short, clear, informative and engaging. Don’t try to be clever!
• First paragraph - Introduce the story: who, what, when, where and why. Think about who will benefit from reading, not who is issuing the release.
• Second / third paragraph - More detail on the ‘how’; add some data; figures, evidence, names of organisations.
• Fourth paragraph - Quotes to bring the story to life, keeping in mind ‘passion not process’ and ‘insight not information’. Quotes should come from an expert and a ‘real’ person.
• Fifth paragraph - Next steps and more detail if needed. The article should end on an action point. Specify what action you want them to take.
• Notes - Include any necessary background information, relevant research (appropriately referenced), name and contact details (of the author), social media handles.
• Images - should be supplied in JPEG or PNG format.

              

3. CAS Tone of Voice

We encourage all contributors to create content that reflects our tone of voice. If you think of Computing at School as a person, then the tone of voice we use reflects our personality. It’s how we express ourselves. It makes us unique to our community and allows us to serve and shape that community. 

Our tone of voice tells the reader that we’re accessible, friendly, welcoming and encouraging – it shines through in everything we do. Here are some practical tips on how you can demonstrate it in your content.

1. Be positive – convey genuine enthusiasm and encouragement 

Our community are volunteers, most of whom have full-on full-time jobs. It is important to recognise their volunteering effort, time, and commitment.                

 2. Keep it simple - straightforward and clear 

Explain things in a simple way, like telling a friend how it works. Short sentences are always better than long, complex ones.      

3. Be human - friendly and natural

Our relationship with our community is a friendly one. We’re chatty and informal - not distant, cold and corporate. We’re real people building relationships for the benefit of our collective aims so don’t be afraid to be human. But remember we’re not best friends; we’re always respectful, and we never overstep our boundaries.  

4. Be interested - ask questions, explore different points of view 

We always encourage open communication in our community. Everyone benefits when different viewpoints and ideas are actively shared and discussed.           

5. Keep it real - genuine and authentic 

It’s important that we’re always authentic in our actions, reflecting the time we spend with our community, talking and genuinely listening. 

 6. Add value - relevant and interesting

We’re here to add value to educators. Think about what we can do to help make their job easier, save them time, improve their outcomes, and further their knowledge. 

 

Notes: Useful text descriptors for articles

The National Centre for Computing Education (NCCE)

• The NCCE is funded by the Department for Education with the aim of achieving a world-leading computing education for every child in England.
• It provides high-quality support for the teaching of computing in schools and colleges, from Key Stage 1 through to A level.
• The NCCE is run by a consortium made up of STEM Learning, the Raspberry Pi Foundationand BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT.
• The National Centre for Computing Education exists to support teachers at every stage, from primary to A level, to improve computing skills and subject knowledge. It does this through certified CPD, resources and local meet-ups, and through Computing at School (CAS) communities.

Computing Hubs

• The network of 34 Computing Hubs is led by schools and colleges across England with excellence in teaching computing.
• XXX School is one of the network of 34 Computing Hubs based at schools and FE colleges across England.
• Computing Hubs support schools and colleges to provide a high-quality computing education to all young people.
• Computing Hubs provide training to primary and secondary teachers to deliver computing education
• Computing Hubs offer bursary-funded courses for state-funded schools across England to support continuing professional development in computing education.

Computing at School (CAS)

CAS is a grass-roots community of people, passionate about Computing and working together to support teachers and ensure that every child has a world-leading computing education. 

NCCE consortium partners

STEM Learning

STEM Learning is the UK’s largest provider of education and careers support in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. It has a mission to improve lives through world-leading STEM education. For more information, visit www.stem.org.uk

BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT

NB: BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT in the first instance, followed by BCS

BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT is the professional body for computing and, as part of its Royal Charter, sets and maintains academic and professional standards in computing. For more information, visit www.bcs.org.

The Raspberry Pi Foundation

The Raspberry Pi Foundation creates world class educational resources for computing and computer science used by millions of people each year and has developed online courses that have supported tens of thousands of computing educators. For more information, visit www.raspberrypi.org.