Category: Computing Science

curricular area

A VERY Computational Christmas Quiz

Can you beat the quiz?

Got what it takes to beat our Very Computational Christmas Quiz?

20 questions, no time limit.  Try it on your own, as a group or as class!  Let us know how you do @digilearnscot

TRY THE QUIZ

Too easy?  Looking for a different challenge?

Why not try to customise our quiz code with your own questions, colours and images.  Interested?  Follow out tutorial below…

Customise our Quiz with Code

The quiz was built using HTML, CSS and Javascript – key languages of the web!

Take me to the Quiz Editor

You can use our tool to edit your own quiz – follow the instructions below

Instructions

STEP 1: Edit the name of the quiz  and who its by (HTML)

STEP 2: Change the background and the colours (CSS)

STEP 3: Edit and add your own questions (Javascript) and save

Curriculum Review CompSci

Computing Science Review – Workshop 1

Provocations

There were a number of speakers during  the morning session to set the scene and provide stimulus for discussions.

  • You can watch and / or download the presenters slides below.
  • You are may wish to add your thoughts, individually, or from a group perspective to the discussion boards.
  • The purpose of this first session is to identify the WHY and the WHAT of Computing Science.  The key questions asked are

Question Set 1

  • Where are we now?
  • How is Computing Science contributing to the 4 capacities – what is working?

Record feedback on Board 1

Question Set 2

  • Why Computing Science?
  • Looking ahead to 2030, what knowledge, skills and attributes will learners require to realise the ambitions of computing science in education?
  • What are the challenges and opportunities for learners in acquiring the knowledge, skills and attributes you have identified?

Record feedback on Board 2

NOTES
The boards have been set so you can only see your own responses at this time. This is so we can capture independent responses.  However, we will make all the cards public once people have had the chance to contribute.

This session is about the curriculum – as such the focus should be on that as opposed to issues such as DPIAs, tech infrastructure, teacher recruitment.  While these are all issues that are important and require work, it is not the main aim of this session.

Provocations

Andrew Creamer
 

The Curriculum Improvement Cycle

Slides: AC CIC

Karen Meechan
 

Industry Perspective

Slides: NA

Brian Clark
 

Computing Science in Scotland

Slides: CS in Scotland

Iain Shand
 

Computing Science in Further Education

Slides: Overview of Computing in Further Education 26-11-2024

Sue Sentance
 

Computing Science Education – Big Picture

Slides: Computing Science Big Picture Sue Sentance

Quintin Cutts
 

Computing Science: STACS – where are we?

Slides: STACS Where Are We with Computing?

learn to code scratch with jp morgan

Teach the Teacher training – Scratch coding by JP Morgan

What is Teach the Teacher?  

Teach the Teacher is part of the pro bono STEM program offered by JP Morgan. This runs alongside other initiatives to train primary school children to do basic coding in a ‘language’ called Scratch. 

 

What is the learning intention of Teach the Teacher? 

To upscale primary school teachers and to give them the skills (and more importantly the confidence) to be able to run Scratch code club sessions for pupils.  

 

Are there any prerequisites? 
No prior coding knowledge required. 

Access to:  

  • A device that has internet connectivity to run Scratch and access the web resources  
  • A reliable internet connection for video presentation or content sharing (virtual only) 

 

What is the structure of the program?  
There are currently 2 standard offerings available: 

  • Virtual online (6 week block)  – 6 x 1 hour sessions  
  • In-person (3 week block) – 3 x 2 hour sessions  

 

Benefits  

  • Equips teacher with basic skills required to run code clubs and complete basic Scratch lessons independently  
  • Virtual or on-site  
  • Allows the teacher to share knowledge and train colleagues in the primary school  
  • No experience necessary 

 

If you would like to register your primary school and either of the offered programs then please contact:
jpmc.stem.primary.support@jpmorgan.com 

 

About JP Morgan 

As well as being a global leader in financial services, JP Morgan is one of the world’s biggest technology-driven companies. JP Morgan offer a number of volunteer-led programs to help increase pupils’ interest and knowledge in STEM subjects through basic introduction to coding. 

These sessions are offered virtually and in-person with an ultimate objective to help primary schools to continue their learning journey on these topics after the program is complete.  

The BIG BIG Computing Quiz – Download

We a had a great turn out for the BIG BIG COMPUTING QUIZ on Monday 4th November to kick off Computing Science Week 2024!  Over 1300 learners from schools across Scotland took part.  Like any good quiz, learners had to rely on their skills, knowledge and experience as well as a good dose of luck to get through 8 rounds of questions

Sample Questions

Get It Now!

You can download the quiz yourself if you would like to run this in your class.  Just make sure to File / Save a copy! Learners can answer online via this form, or they can answer on paper.  

Links to the answer form are on the slideshow along with a QR code.  Answers start on slide 58.  It is best viewed in presentation mode as there are animations for certain questions and the answers are highlighted on click when it comes to the answer section.

When going over the answers, you can use the presentation or you can share this short video with the class if you prefer.

Enjoy and good luck!

Get the Quiz – (save a copy)

Online Answer Sheet

Computing Science in Scotland – Update

Over the next few months, we will be hosting a number of events to support Computing Science education in Scotland. These events include

  • Computing Science Week(s)
  • In Person Computing Science Conferences
  • Pilot Review of Computing Science education as part of the Curriculum Improvement Cycle 
  • Chat CST – A virtual sharing practice event for Computing Science Teachers
  • Live Lesson Programme

Read on to find out more about each event and how to take part…

Computing Science Week(s)

Now in it’s third year, Computing Science Week is bigger than ever before.  Now spanning over two weeks between 4th and 15th November 2024, we will be hosting a number of live lessons for teachers and learners to take part in during the day followed by professional learning sessions for educators after school.

These two weeks have been broadly arranged into a ‘No Code / Low Code’ week (4-9 Nov) and a Coding week (11-15 Nov)

During the first week, we will be running sessions around computational thinking, data science and tech for connectivity, with a bit of Scratch Jr and Microbit in there!

 

The second week will more focussed on code based activities for different ability groups and will feature sessions using Scratch, Web Development, Swift Playgrounds and AI.

Look out for the full programme of events coming soon!

In Person Computing Science Conference

The 2nd annual computing conference, organised by Education Scotland, is open to all early years practitioners, primary school teachers, and secondary school teachers who teach computing.

During this unmissable event, you will have the opportunity to hear from industry experts who will share insights into future career prospects and to attend practical breakout sessions designed to empower you with innovative teaching methods for the classroom,

The conference will be held on Saturday 9th November at 10am simultaneously at the following venues, all with live in person workshops;

  • West College Scotland – Abercorn Building – Renfrew Road, Paisley PA3 4DR
  • West Lothian College – Almondvale Crescent, Livingston, EH54 7EP
  • University of Abertay – Bell Street, Dundee DD1 1HG

When registering, you can choose the nearest venue to you.

The proposed agenda for the day is as follows

  • 9:30am Arrival. Registration and refreshments
  • 9:45am Welcome
  • 10:00am Keynote: Ollie Bray Strategic Director Education Scotland (streamed to all venues)
    11:00am-11:45pm     Workshop Session 1
  • 11:55pm – 12:40pm Workshop Session 2
  • 12:45pm Lunch (provided)
  • 1:45pm – 2:30pm Workshop Session 3
  • 2:30pm Networking Event

When you complete registration, you will be forwarded to a Microsoft Form to allow you to select the three workshops that best suit your needs from a list and to allow you to select your dietary requirements.

Register for the conference

Computing Science – Pilot Curriculum Review

The 2021 OECD report on Scotland’s curriculum recognised the strengths of Curriculum for Excellence (CfE), and made a range of recommendations to ensure that this strength would persist into the future including: “Develop a systematic approach to curriculum review. Scotland could consider establishing a curriculum review cycle with a planned timeframe and specific review agenda, led by the specialist stand-alone agency”.   
 

In line with this recommendation Education Scotland, along with STACS,  are undertaking a pilot curriculum review of Computing Science.  Education Scotland invites teachers across all sectors (including PTs/FHs, DHTs and HTs), ELC practitioners, local authorities, colleges, universities and other key stakeholders to apply to be part of this workshop. The workshop will take place on the 26th November 2024 from 10am until 3:30pm in Glasgow.

We anticipate high demand for this event and want to ensure that as many sectors, experience and geographic locations are represented. 

It would be useful to seek permission to attend this event prior to completing this form.

Please register your interest here before midnight on Sunday 3rd November 2024.  You will be contacted if you have been allocated a place at this workshop by Friday 8th November 2024.


More information about the curriculum improvement cycle can be found here

Register your interest in the review

Chat CST – A virtual sharing practice event for Computing Science Teachers

Photo by Chris Montgomery on Unsplash
Spending time with peers discussing your subject is invaluable.  Recently, we were delighted to support and take part in Tech Talks –  a virtual event for design and technology teachers in Scotland.  
The event contained 12 15 minute presentations.  All the presentations were done by Design and Technology teachers (apart from Daydream Believers and a lecturer from Edinburgh University)  Essentially, each gave a 10 minute presentation and 5 mins for questions.

We are keen to host a similar event for Computing Science teachers towards the end of November / beginning of December that focusses on Planning, Learning, Teaching and Assessment.

We are currently gauging interest in this event via poll in Computing Science Glow Team.  All secondary teacher in Scotland who teach Computing can request to join this team. If you are member of this team, please indicate your interest here

Go to Glow Team Poll

Live Lessons supporting Computing Science

Our live lesson programme kicked off again in August this year.  We have been delighted to have a huge numbers of schools and learners join us and our very special presenters for live lessons already!    

woman sitting at a laptop

Our programme continues to evolve and grow so do look out for future sessions you and your learners can take part in!

This Month

Next Month

Later This Year

Subscribe to live lessons (Google Cal) .. or other Calendar

The BBC micro:bit playground survey results are here!

The BBC micro:bit playground survey results are here!

Primary school teachers and pupils across the UK have been taking part in the BBC micro:bit playground survey. An exciting investigation to help children aged 7-11 get to grips with data science and digital skills in a way that relates to their everyday lives.

Students have measured their playground areas, explored temperature differences between natural and synthetic surfaces, tracked how active their break times were, and counted many different types of plants and animals; discovering lots of new things about their playgrounds along the way!

To find out more, visit the BBC micro:bit – the next gen website.

For the full results report click here

 

Ada Scotland Festival 1-11 October 2024

We are pleased to give you and your colleagues, an early heads-up on events and resources for high school teachers and students from the 5th Ada Scotland Festival 1-11 October 2024.

The Ada Scotland Festival mission remains to champion gender balance in tech and computing, providing inspiration for our young people and to build a stronger, fairer, more diverse work force now and for the future. However, school resources are not just for computing and IT students – these are designed to support teachers and students across the curriculum to explore journeys in computing and also harness it as a useful tool in the classroom (whatever the subject). Please read on:

For the Teachers:
Both of these events are relevant across the full curriculum and open to all teachers. The Code Division session has been scheduled to overlap with an In-Service Day (Glasgow schools) to support teacher CPD.

ONLINE  – 16:00 to 17:00 Tuesday 8 October 2024: Apps for Good Classroom Resources covering “Social Action”, “Climate” and “AI” themes – more info

ONLINE WORKSHOP  – 09:00 to 12:30 Friday 11 October 2024: Data Dive with CodeDivision  “harness the power of data in their classrooms” – more info

RECOGNITION – Ada Scotland Inspiring Teacher of the Year 2024: launching soon. View past winners here.

For the Students:
IN-PERSON – 10:00 to 14:00 Tuesday 1 October 2024: Ada Scotland Launch Event. A day of interactive workshops and tours at Barclays Campus Glasgow – more info join wait list

ONLINE – 09:00 to 10:00 Wednesday 2 October 2024: Tech for Gen AI Lesson with Tech She Can – more info

IN-PERSON – 10:00 to 14:00 Thursday 3 October 2024: A day of interactive workshops at the WASPs Creative Studios in Inverness – more info places available!

ONLINE – 09:30 to 10:30 Wednesday 9 October 2024: Cracking Cryptography with My World of Work Live – more info

IN-PERSON – 10:00 to 17:00 Wednesday 9 and Thursday 10 October 2024: Games Design Jam and Play Party at Cake & Dice Dundee – more info drop in

For Senior Years and Teachers:
ONLINE – 15:30 to 16:30 Thursday 3 October: Design Sprint with Firefly and Dundee University “Building Habits of Self Compassion” Workshop – more info

You can view all events (updated daily) here

More schools events across Scotland are in the planning. To register interest please email hello@ada.scot

Ada Computer Science: Time-saving Resources for Teachers in Scotland

Ada Computer Science: Time-saving Resources for Teachers in Scotland

Ada Computer Science is a collaboration between the Raspberry Pi Foundation and the University of Cambridge. Their aim is to provide high-quality, free, resources for Computing Science teachers and students.

 

To kick off the school year, they have mapped their content to the SQA’s National 5, Higher, and Advanced Higher qualifications, giving teachers and students access to free resources that meet the specific requirements of their qualification.

 

 

Ada Computer Science have also introduced two new table database scenarios for the Database Design and Development area of study. The scenarios provide practical, hands-on experience and deepen students’ understanding of database concepts and applications.

 

 

This release follows the launch of Ada’s Database Design and Development project, and the roll out of material to support the Computer Systems area of study.

 

Ada now covers more than half of the theory content for Scotland’s National 5, Higher, and Advanced Higher specifications. Stay tuned for more updates throughout the school year!

Browse SQA resources

Woman holding laptop and micro:bit

How funding for Computing Science resources has impacted learning experiences in classrooms across the country

Hardware Funding Update

“Using the devices and accessories has allowed us to create more engaging microbit lessons and to expand teaching of computing constructs into makecode arcade. V2 microbits has also enabled us to link with areas such as well-being that we know from research engages learners better.”

In February 2022, Education Scotland worked with Scottish Government to secure funding for secondary schools across Scotland to bid for money in order to purchase hardware to enhance the delivery of Computing Science in schools.  The funding was also used to ensure that all primary schools received an additional 20 micro:bits during the national roll out, meaning that primary schools received 40 of the versatile micro computers in order to explore coding and physical computing.

Across Scotland, secondary schools purchased a wide variety of resources to support computing science education, with the main focus being on robotics, microcontrollers, and physical computing. Here’s a breakdown of the most popular categories based on feedback from schools in 29 local authorities.

Common Resources

Microcontrollers:

  • Microbit (most popular)
  • Raspberry Pi
  • Makey Makey
  • Arduinos

Robotics Kits:

  • VEX Robotics
  • Lego Mindstorms
  • Lego Spike
  • Kitronik Microbit robots
  • Sphero robots (including Sphero Bolt)
  • RVR robots
  • VEX Go Robots
  • Drones (including DJI drones)
  • Microbit Drones
  • Robotic buggy’s / cars for microbit
  • Marty the Robot

Accessories:

  • Gamepads and arcade hardware
  • Microbit/Raspberry Pi a accessories (including robots,cameras, sense hats, music boxes, LED lights, conductive thread & paint
  • Kittenbots/Meowbits

Teacher Feedback

“Pupils really enjoy using the physical computing resources and relating them to real life technology – e.g. the Microbits were used to simulate the spread of a virus using bluetooth. The arduinos were used to control tiny duelling Minecraft characters and enabled pupils to think about the complexities of animating robots.”

“The pupils are hands on with the robots and are able to directly code these and see the impact of their code. If there is an issue with their code, the can physically see it happening with the robots going the wrong direction for example. They then have to work out how to fix it. The enthusiasm and drive to get their robot through the track is phenomenal. We usually do this unit in groups, which also improves their communication skills as well as problem solving skills.”

“Using the Meowbits allowed us to provide a real-world context through hands-on learning, whereas before the lessons were more abstract.”

“Learners have a better idea of how creating software transfers to real world devices. Learners enjoy using devices which are similar to those they already use.”

Overall

Having access to this additional hardware allowed teachers to prepare for delivering new / updated learning experiences in their schools for this academic year.  Teachers have reported mostly positive impacts from the new resources including:

Increased Engagement and Enjoyment

Students enjoyed the hands-on learning experiences with robots, microcontrollers, and physical computing kits.
The resources made lessons more interactive and engaging compared to traditional screen-based coding.
Students were motivated by the ability to see their code come to life in physical results.

Improved Learning

The resources helped students develop practical coding skills and understand the connection between code and hardware.
Teachers observed a deeper grasp of programming concepts and problem-solving skills.
Some teachers noted an improvement in teamwork and communication skills through collaborative projects with robots.

Broader Range of Learning:

The variety of resources allowed teachers to introduce new topics like robotics, game development, and animation.
Students were exposed to different devices and operating systems, expanding their computing knowledge.
A few teachers mentioned using the resources for real-world applications, like simulating the spread of a virus.

Challenges and Considerations:

Some teachers highlighted challenges integrating new resources due to workload constraints or lack of training.
Managing physical resources like robots could be time-consuming, especially with limited time for setup and storage.
A few teachers were unable to purchase their preferred resources due to restrictions or availability issues.

Overall, the new resources provided valuable tools for teachers to create a more engaging contexts for learning

Micro:bit

Micro:bit Resources Empowering Scotland’s Teachers and Learners

In May 2022, every school in Scotland received 20 V.2 micro:bits, thanks to a partnership between The Micro:Bit Education Foundation, Nominet and The Scottish Government.  Additionally, primary schools received 20 additional micro:bits as part funding secured by Education Scotland and Scottish Government. Alongside this roll out, a programme of free comprehensive teaching resources and professional learning for all educators was delivered.

This year, we were also delighted to work with the BBC micro:bit – the next gen project.  This partnership between BBC Education, The Micro:bit Educational Foundation and Nominet allowed every primary school to sign up and receive  set of 30 micro:bits .

The BBC micro:bit is a pocket-sized computer that introduces you to how software and hardware work together. It has an LED light display, buttons, sensors, built-in microphone and speaker, and many input/output features that, when programmed, let it interact with you and your world.

To support the use and delivery of micro:bit in schools, we have worked in partnership to deliver a range of CLPL activities and pupil engagement sessions. These have included

  • Resources and professional learning to get started with microbit.org/primary
  • Professional learning courses from micro:bit – Micro:bit Educational Foundation (thinkific.com)
  • 3 part CLPL course, This is Micro:bit (see below) 
  • The Micro:bit Education Foundation provides extensive access to learning resources, ideas, and support to help get practitioners and learners started using the devices or to move onto more complex projects using the micro:bit.
  • Barefoot have created lesson plans to support outdoor learning with the micro:bit for ages 7 – 11.
  • Our national computing science glow teams community for ELC & primary educators here.

We have also been hugely fortunate to have Dr Lorna Gibson deliver a variety of micro:bit code alongs over the past few years.  These codealong sessions have been very popular and well received by learners and teachers. Since October 2022, over 12,000 learners have joined one or our micro:bit codealongsI

Check out some of these codealongs here

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Getting Started – This is Micro:Bit

This is Micro:Bit Workshop 1

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This is Micro:bit Workshop 2

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This is Micro:bit Workshop 3

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