Author: George Milliken

GOOGLE – CS FIRST

CS First

CS First is a free computer science curriculum from Google that makes coding easy to teach and fun to learn. Their site has information and professional learnign for educators to make sure they have the confidence and knowledge to introduce Computing Science to their learners, as well as video tutorials and block-based coding challenges using Scratch for learners.

Visit CS First

MAKECODE FOR MICRO:BIT

Microsoft MakeCode for micro:bit

This site from Microsoft offers projects to get you started with your micro:bit computer – it also has an online micro:bit emulator so you can test your code even if you don’t have micro:bits. The micro:bit is an affordale micro computer with lots of input and output options that make it interactive and very adaptable, so it can be used in lots of STEM learning too.

Visit the MakeCode site

CODE.ORG

code.org believes that every learners should have the opportunity to learn computing science. Their site has learning courses for educators to improve their own knowledge and games, projects and activities to engage learners in computing science. The games use block-based coding challenges to promote problem solving and start from their Pre-reader Express that uses arrows for directions and progresses to more challenging coding puzzles that require knowledge of angles.

Visit code.org

CODE.ORG COMMUNITY POSTS

There is so much maths in computing and that presents excellent opportunities for interdisciplinary learning. Why not plan to introduce directional language through these engaging… Read more

CODE CLUB

Code Club (@codeclubscot) is a global network of free coding clubs and there are Code Clubs all over Scotland. Their site also contain coding projects with step-by-step instructions, which will teach you how to create games, animations and more with code. These resources are engaging for learners, easy to use for educators and can be used for lessons in your class or as part of your establishment’s code club. 

The Code Club Projects page offers ready-made resources and activity guides for:

  • Scratch
  • HTML and CSS
  • Python
  • Raspberry Pi
  • micro:bit 
  • Blender

Visit Code Club projects

Introduction to Scratch with Code Club

Progressing to Python (text-based coding) with Code Club

Barefoot computing

Barefoot Computing

Did you know that Barefoot run online workshops that are free to attend?

Go to Barefoot workshops

Developed by teachers and backed by research, Barefoot helps boosts primary teachers’ subject knowledge, saves them time and brings computing to life in the classroom. It empowers primary school teachers across the UK to deliver the computing curriculum brilliantly with free workshops, helpful online guides and engaging lessons.

Sign up for free

Three Barefoot Activities to Get Started

Code Cracking Resources by Barefoot Computing

BT and Barefoot Computing provide free resources for teaching computational thinking. You can register for free at Barefoot Computing and use these great resources to add exciting new contexts to your numeracy and maths.

Code Cracking

This resource focuses on the role Alan Turing and the Enigma machine played in deciphering coded messages during World War II. Why not use this as a context for maths during your WWII topic?

Code Cracking lesson

Want to see more about code cracking?

Check out our Cryptography wakelet

Welcome to Computing Science by DigiLearnScot

We’re delighted to launch this site and hope it proves useful whether you are new to, or experienced in, computing. Computing Science sits within the Technologies in Curriculum for Excellence (CfE). There are three organisers for it:

Understanding the world through computational thinking, TCH x-13a

Understanding and analysing computing technology, TCH x-14a, TCH x-14b

Designing, building and testing computing solutions, TCH x-15a

 

Problem solving is an important part of computing and there are many opportunities throughout CfE to embed Computing Science in other curricular areas, such as Numeracy and Mathematics.

 

Cyber Resilience and Internet Safety sit within the Digital Literacy organiser of the Technologies curriculum (TCH x-03a), but as learners progress this area starts to focus move towards Cyber Security and this requires knowledge of computer systems in order to understand the threats a system faces.