The 3C Model: Revolutionising Coding Education in Primary Schools with Peter Curtis

In this episode, we dive into the "3C Model"—a teaching pedagogy reshaping how coding and computational thinking skills are taught in primary schools. Join us while we talk to Peter Curtis, a teacher and researcher with the University of the Sunshine Coast who developed the 3C Model. Peter's teaching and research  interests include mathematics, science  and technology. He has recently retired from classroom teaching after some 42 years. 

In this episode, Peter explains why he developed the 3C Model and what each of the 3Cs stand for with real classroom examples. His research has found that the 3C Model is a tailored pedagogy and sequencing strategy that promotes deep, collaborative learning and sparks high levels of engagement in young learners.

To find out more about the 3C Model, check out his recent publications:

Curtis, P., Carey, M.D., McMaster, N. et al. (2026). Advancing digital technology teacher education through the 3C model. J. New Approaches Educ. Res. 15, 9. https://doi.org/10.1007/s44322-026-00056-1 

Martin, D. A., Curtis, P., & Redmond, P. (2024). Primary school students' perceptions and developed artefacts and language from learning coding and computational thinking using the 3C model. Journal of Computer Assisted Learning. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcal.12972

Martin, D.A., Curtis, P., Redmond, P. & Byrne, M. (2024). The 3C Model for Teaching Coding and Computational Thinking with an M in STEM Focus. In J. Cohen & G. Solano (Eds.), Proceedings of Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference (pp. 2162-2172). Las Vegas, Nevada, United States: Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE). https://www.learntechlib.org/primary/p/224275/

Curtis, P., Moffett, B., Martin, D. ( 2024)  Integrating  mathematics and digital technologies; a practical teaching approach using the 3C model Australian Primary Mathematics Classroom (APMC) 29 (1). 

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