Tag: PLATFORMScomputational

BEBRAS COMPUTATIONAL THINKING CHALLENGE – TEACHING PROBLEM SOLVING

The Bebras Computational Thinking Challenge is a great resource to develop your learners logical reasoning and pattern spotting skills for computational thinking and problem solving. Not only are those skills useful for computing science and maths, but also cyber security.

You can have a go at previous years’ challenges (no signup required) or you can register for their annual competition in November. The questions are in the form of engaging puzzles that start off relatively easy – so every student can have a go and should get something out of the competition.

Try out previous year’s challenges here.

We know lots of schools in Scotland engage with Bebras every year and some have shared their story with us Get in touch with us to let us know how your learners engaged with it and how you fared with the resources or the challenge.

EMBEDDING CS IN MATHS WITH CODE.ORG EXAMPLES

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 challenges form code.org? Learners simply drag blocks of ‘code’ together like jigsaw pieces to solve mathematical puzzles. There’s help videos and hints for each challenge and even an educator section to support you teaching it.

Here are some great places to start your maths/coding adventure:

Pre-reader challenges – Ice Age

The Ice Age-themed ‘pre-reader’ challenges only ask learners to use one or two blocks of code at a time and the directions are represented by arrows, so they can start to code without needing to read.

Play it

Introducing directional words – Star Wars

This Star Wars-themed challenge introduces the use of directional words on screen. So as your learners develop confidence with directional language, they can try more challenging code too.

Play it

Exploring degrees – Frozen

This Frozen-themed challenge introduces the use of degrees and angles to control the characters on screen.

Play it

CS UNPLUGGED

CS Unplugged

CS Unplugged is a collection of free teaching material that teaches Computer Science through engaging games and puzzles that use cards, string, crayons and lots of running around. It has sections for educators, families and learners. The site is aimed at younger learners and introduces computing concepts without the need for computers – making it ideal for logic and problem solving activities in any class.

Visit CS Unplugged

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

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