Tag: computing science

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

Unplugged Computing Science Live Lesson with Barefoot

EARLY AND FIRST LEVEL LEARNERS LIVE LESSON.

Join Isabella Lieghio (Barefoot Volunteer and Education Consultant at www.iconlearning.co.uk) in this interactive live lesson for early and first level learners, to explore one of the newest Barefoot Computing resources that has been specially created for younger to help develop their computational thinking skills, set around the context of ‘People Who Help Us’. 

The activities are all based around our real-life superheroes, the people who help us every day. In this session children will guide a delivery person with their package to the correct destination while exploring computational thinking concepts and approaches.

Everything you need is provided via the Barefoot Computing website, including activity plans with ideas for developing computational thinking in the early years, curriculum links, all printable resources and links to extend learning. 

Please visit Barefoot Computing Early Years and create a free account to access all resources and check out the introduction video, to learn more about developing computational thinking approaches in play and learning such as tinkering, creating and debugging. 

https://www.barefootcomputing.org/earlyyears 

 

This session is for all practitioners, including childminders working with early and first level learners. 

Practitioners are also welcome to join the live lesson without children to observe how the resources can be delivered. 

This session will be recorded. 

 

More details, resources links and sign up here.

supporting resources for cyber ELC

Secondary Computing Science Resources

ipsum lorum

go to Secondary Computing home

Digital Learner diagram (landscape)

Apple: everyone can code 

Bebras problem solving challenge (unplugged)

Callysto (data science)

Code Club projects

Data Lab

Data Nation

Digital World (cyber and data careers)

EduBlocks

micro:bit makecode

Netsim simulator (networks)

Sphero
SQA – diagnostic questions (guidance)

SQA – understanding standards (guidance)

Trinket (Code Club projects) (web dev)
W3 (web dev)

A ‘Concrete, Pictorial and Abstract’ Approach to early level Computing Science

There are clear similarities with the order and progression of early level Computing Science and early level Numeracy and Maths play and learning.

go to ELC computing home

We can use a concrete – pictorial  – abstract concept in Computing Science, similar to how we introduce mathematical concepts e.g. counting concrete objects such as pebbles, progressing onto subitising with visuals or with dice then finally counting in our heads with no prompts to help us. 

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In early level Computing Science, we begin to learn about algorithms. We look at the concrete stage as using our bodies, physical devices and objects we can physically manipulate. We might explore the range of activities from Barefoot Computing, Hello Ruby and CS Unplugged. We do not need programmable devices to delve into early level computing science. We can even explore algorithms through dancing! 

At the pictorial stage, we are looking at block-based coding and using visuals suitable for pre-readers, e.g., pictorial algorithms such as visual timetables and simple sequences of instructions for baking and creating and retelling stories.  We might also begin to explore coding apps such as Scratch Jnr and websites such as Code.org

Later on, in the abstract stage, we are looking at more complex coding, with fewer pictures and more words, introducing coding languages, such as Javascript and Python.

ELC Independent Learning Pathway

This page contains links to pre recorded webinars focusing on early level Computing Science, from an introduction to the Experiences and Outcomes and where Computing Science is in the world all-around us, to understanding computational thinking strategies through unplugged Computing Science explorations, investigating pictorial and visual representations and finally tinkering with programmable devices.

At the bottom of the page, you can browse the resources mentioned in the webinar recordings.

go to ELC computing home

This webinar was delivered to raise and support practitioner awareness of the National advice, guidance and where to access a wealth of free learning and teaching resources to embed computing science at early level. This session welcomed practitioners working with learners are in ELC or Primary School AND all other practitioners who work with learners at any level, with an interest in creatively embedding computing science their learning environment.

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This webinar focussed on how we create experiences and spaces that allows computing science to be embedded at the early level through play and where we can access a wealth of free learning and teaching resources to embed unplugged computing science at the early level. It explored a range of unplugged activity ideas and the concepts, approaches and key vocabulary of computational thinking. 

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In this webinar recording, we explore programmable devices and online coding and computing science resources/apps and discuss how to introduce them via play at early level. This webinar builds on content delivered in the prior two webinars. 

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Additional live code-along and play-along webinar recordings.

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Computing Science information and resources

Introducing computing technology in the world all around us.

Nina and the Neurons: Go Digital – CBeebies – BBC

What is digital technology? – BBC Bitesize

What is a computer system? – BBC Bitesize

What are computer games? – BBC Bitesize

Software – 1st level Computing Science and ICT – BBC Bitesize

BBC Learning – What Is Coding – Rumpus

What’s inside a computer? | Hello Ruby (loosely based, could model, paint, build)

Introducing Unplugged Computing Science with downloadable resources.

Direction/arrow algorithm cards/visuals

BeeBot mat scenes (communication4all.co.uk)

Human Codeapillar cards (by Judi Regan Tayside)

Codeapillar challenge cards (by Judi Regan Tayside)

Codeapillar SLF handout (Judi Regan Tayside)

Make your own BeeBot Story Map

Algorithm Sequencer

ScratchJr – block images

Introducing pictorial/visual coding through websites and apps.

code.org

Scratch Jr

Bee-Bot on the App Store (apple.com) 

Bee-Bot – Apps on Google Play 

 

Further reading and research for practitioners.

An overview of Computational Thinking in Early Years | Resources | Barefoot Computing 

Home | Hello Ruby

Computational thinking for pre-schoolers — Hello World (raspberrypi.org)

An introduction to unplugged coding for preschool children — Hello World (raspberrypi.org)

From Fakebot to Bee-Bot — Hello World (raspberrypi.org)

Coding Outdoors Hello World (page 16)

Exploring Nature Hello World (page 80)

What Does Computing Science Look Like at early level?

  

Many of the concepts and approaches of Computing Science will already be familiar to you. By looking at the Sway and video below, and on the ELC Computing Science Learning Pathway page, we think you will recognise that you are already embedding Computing Science through play, perhaps without even realising it, in your environment, daily interactions and experiences you provide for the children in your care.

go to ELC computing home

 

What does Computing Science look like at early level? (office.com)

How can we ensure children are growing up to be creative thinkers and problem solvers?​

We can provide them with the opportunities, the time and the space to explore, tinker, investigate and experiment!

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primary computing science

Primary Computing Science

This section aims to provide quick links to useful resources and information for primary teachers who teach computing science. 

go to digilearn CS home

Digital Learner diagram (landscape)

Computing in Primary Schools: The Big Ideas

These ‘big ideas’ for computing are designed to help educators and learners learn the essential understanding in computing that all students should acquire during the Broad General Education.It has been inspired by Wynne Harlen’s Principles and Big Ideas of Science Education. Some of the language or concepts may appear very abstract… Read more

Examples of Planning Computing in Primary Schools

This document aims to provide a clear, concise and progressive example of planning for Computing in the primary sector. It includes an overview of the ‘big ideas’ in computing and where each idea might be taught, building on prior knowledge and skills from the last level.   Each big idea has… Read more

Block-based coding platforms

code.org

edu blocks

scratch

scratch jr

micro:bit

micro bit educational foundation

code club projects