7 schools in the UK
Richard works in 7 schools a week as an Technology Expert in Residence. Here are some examples of what is happening in these schools.
Randlay School is at the forefront of Computing. They helped with a national event called 'ScratchYourNose' and the older students are learning about HTML using W3Schools and online Notepad. They have 1 Raspberry Pi computer which students use. They have a good website blog and twitter feed. They use time lapse photography to capture events
Hollinswood Primary School are developing their Computing Curriculum through the use of the creative Scratch program. Most students are using the online version to work on in school and at home. This also works on Android tablets and devices. Those with iPads have downloaded the free app ScratchJr. Jay from base 7 said 'I love scratch because I can edit the characters'
Apley Wood Primary School are using a combination of Scratch (including the 12 useful task cards) and the online coding tool J2eCode. This allows students to publish their games and animations via an e-safe blog. J2e software runs on all tablets as it does not rely on Flash player. Each team of teachers is writing a series of 6 lessons to get the process started. You can see some of their Kodu worls in the Kodu section below.
Southall Special School are using Scratch, Espresso Coding (trial) and use a Lego Wedo kit as part of a Robot Club. They have their own student video section on their website. This includes examples of algorithms in the context of cooking. They are buying in to some of the Switched on Computing modules. I work with specific students on the Autism Spectrum that LOVE computing. They have made a great video about Algorithms using Makaton sign language https://youtu.be/7uETgP6y4Tw
Holmer Lake School have completed cross curricular work using the Daisy the Dinosaur app. and have worked extensively with ipads. All teachers are expected to update the blog and they have completed work on animation ,robotics and e-awareness.
John Wilkinson School have trialled the use of the input device the Makeymakey board Students are being encouraged to explore text based coding (Javascript) trough w3schools.
William Reynolds Primary have their own dedicated computing page on their website. After 2 staff meetings on the new curriculum Richard has supported lessons planned by the teacher. Each year group team are writing a 6 lesson block of Computer Science activities based on the CAS Primary Guidance. Lego Wedo Guide here from the school.
Computing
Quickstart Computing Guide for schools
A professional development guide to help deliver inspiring computing lessons in primary and secondary schools.
A range of beginners programming resources (Thanks Zelda for finding this)
Some great NEW ideas and resources from TeachingLondonComputing
Here are some useful ideas put together by a group convened by the DfE's Teaching Agency. Chaired by @bobharrisonset
A list of useful terminology for Primary School from Phil Bagge @baggiepr on Twitter
Computer Science Unplugged (away from
computer devices to develop logic)
Being
creative...using ScratchJr at Southall
School (picture made with PicCollage App)
'Start them young' (EYFS and
KS1)
Emphasise doing things in a certain order (sequence) to solve a problem
2. Bee Bot + Bee Bot app + Bee Bot Pyramid
4. J2e coding
8. Alex
app
Be inspired
Getting students to think about game
building
Helpful curriculum documents:
Templates for coordinators to develop
Example Curriculum Document: (Randlay)
Example whole school outline (Ladygrove)
Year 5 (6 Week plan): (William
Reynolds)
Year 5 (6 lessons on Scratch). Apley Wood Pri.
Yr 6 (2 lessons on Kodu) Apley Wood Primary
Mark Dorling's Computing at
School Page
Blooms Computing Progression
Serif Computing Outline:
Many schools are writing their own schemes of work that include medium term plans and resources.
In addition, there are a number of programmes of study that can be purchased that include ideas and resources. The three below include free sample materials to try out before purchase
Scratch (MIT Massachusetts)
Main Site (version 2 is online: no download)
Code_It site (Phil Bagge)
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Literacy from Scratch; ideas linked to English
Simon Haughton's
website
ComputingChampions
(Great PDF. Vs2)
Quiz (using Kahoot) from Lee Robertson
ScratchEd education
ideas
Weizman Institute: Textbook
Mindmap of resources
from Leon Cych (@eyebeams)
App design:
Touch Develop (Microsoft) (@lanky_boi_ray and @innovativeteach )
Appshed Academy (Torsten Stauch)
Kodu (Microsoft)
Main Site (including download) (£5 for Xbox)
Interactive Classroom Site (Nikki Maddams)
Example
Worlds: Apley Wood School
Suggested Ipad
Apps
13 Programming apps
Bee Bot Blue (Bluetooth)
Scratch Junior (5-7) (Helpsheet)
Pyonkee (non flash version of Scratch)
TickleApp (controls Sphero and Drone
too)
Click on www.ilearn.co.uk for a great digital book from Adam Foster (£1.99)
Search Apps4Primary for some useful App reviews from Dan for a range of subjects
Example Mini Computer: Raspberry Pi
Raspberry Pi Final from Richard Smith on Vimeo.
Raspberry Pi: Software download It is recommended that first-time Pi users start by downloading and installing our New Out of Box Software (NOOBS) onto a 4GB (or larger) SD card
Python: (text based)
Javascript: (text based)
Guru99 Tutorials (Free)
Unity (Open Source - 3D)
Main Site (Free)
Books and Magazines
Networks to join:
Severn Teaching Alliance: Agenda for
2014
Telford Central Hub: 4 meetings: Details
Telford & Shrop. Computing at School HUB
Naace Community for idea
sharing
Codeclub for free coding
clubs
Thinkspace Social Network for Programmers
Quibly: Digital Discussion
area
Techhub: Resources used with trainee teachers
Cambridge GCSE Massive Open
Online Course
OCR Computing Community
Edexcel
Community