Hi! Jim here. Teaching 9 years with a degree in internet computing and PGCE in ICT but transitioned from ICT to teaching computing 3 years ago. #caschat
A1. Some topics that can be taught via getting students to program, then this is done using python. Otherwise, student led, students write their own notes in a blog, and lots of hands on tasks #caschat
#caschat Hi folk - many years, started in 1974 on the Isle of Dogs as a primary teacher but since then been using computers in the classroom from 1979 onward teaching 'O'level and CSE Computer Studies
#caschat A1 - Flipped Learning FTW! It means I teach exactly what I need, when I need to the students who need it. A much more efficient use of my time.
A1. I like to get pupil's ideas and theories before I teach this. How do they think the internet works? How do they think the school network lets us access their documents?
Then build off this
#CasChat
A1 Unplugged activities but also enjoying the theory! It's just as interesting at the programming. Who dreamt some of the stuff up i don't know! I better person then I #caschat
#caschat Hi folk - many years, started in 1974 on the Isle of Dogs as a primary teacher but since then been using computers in the classroom from 1979 onward teaching 'O'level and CSE Computer Studies
Q1: unplugged and appropriate for the class! My class loved the network hunt last week, especiallyas they got to look in the server room and also the staff room (as that’s where the sever room is located) #caschat
Some of the answers they give to this are brilliant, especially with the younger ones.
And some times the kids are scarily close without me teaching a thing!! #CASchat
Agreed! Linking key terms and finding examples in other areas is key I think in Primary. Algorithms, recipes, music - all helps to lock in knowledge #caschat
Evening #caschat people. Will dive in a bit later as heading back from the rainy north after delivering a load of @microbit_edu workshops to primary children. Been teaching this stuff for 10 years now as a class teacher, subject specialist and University lecturer #feelingold
NO!! That's such a fun activity!!! You just tend to get a lot of google logos!
But then there's that one kid who draws a computer connecting to another computer and you smile! #CasChat
I #love teaching unplugged - for one, the lesson is not wasted by children waiting for the ageing PCs to start up or waiting for children to remeber their passwords! #caschat
A1 Unplugged activities but also enjoying the theory! It's just as interesting at the programming. Who dreamt some of the stuff up i don't know! I better person then I #caschat
#caschat A0 last week at CAS Board #caschat was subject to much discussion, praise & celebration. Congrats Simon for stirling work. Congrats ALL for excellent discussion.
#CASchat A1 In fact, I despair when I think back to how much time and energy I wasted on 'chalk and talk' lessons with mixed ability Computing classes. #FlippedLearning
A2. Computational thinking. Once students grasp an approach of breaking the problem down, it helps with programming as well as some “theory” topics #caschat
Agreed! Linking key terms and finding examples in other areas is key I think in Primary. Algorithms, recipes, music - all helps to lock in knowledge #caschat
A2 I find that I have to start each year teaching children that computers aren’t ‘clever’ - from there we head to decomposing problems/comp thinking. It’s going to get ever more complicated with AI!! #time to retire #caschat
So we discuss briefly the network hardware (Client/server/AP etc) then we trace the wires into the ceiling and back to the cab and server room! Next week we model how we log on and access files #caschat
Evening #caschat people. Will dive in a bit later as heading back from the rainy north after delivering a load of @microbit_edu workshops to primary children. Been teaching this stuff for 10 years now as a class teacher, subject specialist and University lecturer #feelingold
A2. I tend to mix and match with the topics tbh. I try to get as involved with their classroom work as I can, hoping to build skills that they can use and apply with teachers.
#CASChat
A2. I tend to start with getting the screwdrivers out, "so whats in your box!" I have some machines turned on(not on the network) get the students to power down and then dismantle, will it still work at the end of the lesson! #caschat
#caschat A2 See previous answers; #FlippedLearning approach enables teachers to identify the topics where there are greatest gaps to fill, which you can then prioritise.
#caschat my first lesson KS2is a totally unplugged #growthmindset#computational thinking focus encouraging resilience and independence. Emphasising a computer might be quicker but is only as smart as the programming/algorithms it is given
A2: It depends! We always seem to have to spend the first lesson logging on and resetting passwords and talking about password security. Always start programming units with unplugged comp thinking first. #caschat
#Love teaching with magic! Every time I demonstrate a magic trick in my computing lessons, I recieved a round of applause! :)
The @cs4fn resources are awesome! https://t.co/OSs8glp8Y7#caschat
A2 I think you start at the smallest point and work out. Binary, logic gates, architecture, fe cycle, data representation, hardware, software etc and weave coding through the curriculum looking for opportunities to use to reinforce theory topics #caschat
A3: Unplugged first! Then beebots, then computer! I love the @BarefootCompting tinkering activities first then other barefoot resources and then I use learn to code books. #caschat
A3. Doing the @Edu_BCS CS online course has given me huge number of different strategies and I'm loving the 'predict first then run' idea to support reading code. #caschat
A3. Go through an example, and gradually remove the support. Give them lots of scenarios where they can apply the content you have taught them. Scaffolded approach. #caschat
I know it's cliched, but i really love the stuff that https://t.co/5pJxChjfsY has.
The early courses have a really nice activity that look at how the block based system works before you even start with coding. #CASChat
For example teach character sets, then reinforce by creating a shift code or teach FE cycle then use LMC to teach assembly language and watch FE in action. You can build in language types here too. A2 #caschat
A3 We have a lots of @CodeClubNE running in our feeder primary schools so they come with lots of ideas and enthusiasm. In year 7 we start with scratch and then in year 8 python. I would like to do more of both but with 1 hour a week... #caschat
A3 Our KS3 do python, then Java in KS4 and KS5. We started with the @Coding_Club resources and it has developed over time. Sequence first, then selection followed by iteration #CASchat
A3 - #caschat - at times start unplugged focusing on inInstructions and sequencing, @BarefootComp is great for this! Then often I will focus on looking at simple projects to teach basic programming concepts & constructs which then hopefully build towards a product of their own.
#caschat A3 There is not one way, but many ways. Besides, *coding* is such a small part of Computing. First understand basic I/O, then sequence, some selection and then when they're ready - iteration.
A3 - #caschat - at times start unplugged focusing on inInstructions and sequencing, @BarefootComp is great for this! Then often I will focus on looking at simple projects to teach basic programming concepts & constructs which then hopefully build towards a product of their own.
A3 I think you have to consider a mental coding toolkit that you start with by introducing a tool, show how it works and gradually build up tools as mental structures to the point where a student can be given a problem and knows which tools are right for the job #caschat
For example teach character sets, then reinforce by creating a shift code or teach FE cycle then use LMC to teach assembly language and watch FE in action. You can build in language types here too. A2 #caschat
We used to do it at gcse using Greenfoot and the students got it really well, but then the network wouldn't run it properly so we had to stop. It's now just taught at the A-level #shameReally#CASchat
In reply to
@jgreenupnorth, @clcsimon, @Coding_Club
A3 a bit old school but I tend to start with a bit of flowol, link in sub routines, ie "when kids get home from school, "MUM I'M HUNGRY!" "make yourself a sandwhich" your brain knows what it is, etc #caschat
A4) Looking for some tips here about to try with Y5/6! Micro bit coding environment lets you see what you've coded in block in javascript as a starter #caschat
A4 when they are ready and can see the concept past the blocks. Maybe running them parallel also helps - visual block from scratch explain when applied to python. #caschat
A4 I think Primary need to ‘see’ that there is text based code sooner rather than later, I still struggle to get my head around how to help them grasp that it all builds from binary - tricky #caschat
A4 Block based languages are great though to explore and they have their uses at all levels. The Makecode editor for the microbit is great example the Block and Script function is also amazing #caschat
#caschat A4 typically I would make ss aware of text based in Y5/Y6 using @codeclub resources and msy advance further with Digital Leaders or where I feel thet are ready to use @arduino for physical computing or via @Sonic_Pi
A4 - #caschat - I want to know more about this but not sure that Primary is the place for that transition in the general classroom @edu_blocks is the one I point people two when asked.
Agree, @MSMakeCode is great for supporting transition as students can start to explore text based code but can return to blocks at any time! #caschat A4
A4) Looking for some tips here about to try with Y5/6! Micro bit coding environment lets you see what you've coded in block in javascript as a starter #caschat
#caschat Latecomer - Software Engineer who switched to FE Lecturer in ICT and weekend STEM Ambassador delivering physical computing workshops around Essex (to youth & teachers). "Lurking" as CAS focus seems school age vs FE. True/False ??
From Avni:
A4 - Once they get the hang of an advanced blocks code (such as Javascript Blocks or Edublocks) Then you can move onto text - based script (e.g. Python) #caschat
#caschat A4 Josh Lowe's Edublocks (@edu_blocks) has got to be the best tool I've seen to help students make the transition from block-based to text-based programming. Check it out for yourself.
#caschat A4
— applab is great on https://t.co/cI1xkWA8PB as students can create an app they enjoy using blocks and then move on to text based using the same app which is really good for them to spot the difference and similarities
#caschat A4
— applab is great on https://t.co/cI1xkWA8PB as students can create an app they enjoy using blocks and then move on to text based using the same app which is really good for them to spot the difference and similarities
A4 #caschat rapid router on code for life is also a great translation long website we have used for year 6 and early year 7 into - it’s aimed lower but it’s a great starting point to check their basic understanding
A5 It's not even in the same ball park. Computing is more theory based and adding to the toolkit of how to teach these aspects has been one of the biggest challenges. I just to laugh at geography making posters on topics.... #caschat
#caschat Latecomer - Software Engineer who switched to FE Lecturer in ICT and weekend STEM Ambassador delivering physical computing workshops around Essex (to youth & teachers). "Lurking" as CAS focus seems school age vs FE. True/False ??
#caschat A5 Massively IMHO. I felt like I had to learn to teach from zero all over again. I felt that very few of the strategies I'd use to teach ICT were transferable. It was exhausting but exhilarating. So glad it's behind me now.
In my opinion, #caschat, the subject change has broken many good teachers and has much to answer for insofar as the dreadful way exam courses have been implemented in particular
A5. Traditional IT is more focused on using the software at hand, however CS is more focused on thinking about how it functions. Both require skills of problem solving but in different styles. #caschat
#Caschat A5 we do a lot of these analogies with our year 11 who give talks to year 9 options students “it’s like the different between a driving instructor and a mechanic” one shows you how to use it and the other knows the ins and out of how it works and can fix it
#caschat A5 good teaching is good teaching - it is the content that has changed. Unfortunately, it's possible to teach Scratch in the same way kids were bored with Excel.
#caschat the curriculum change for every subject is difficult but we have to face up to the fact that office applications and a bit of media will not equip our young people for a digital industries future
A6. Be willing to learn, take time and give yourself freedom to make mistakes. It is about adapting and changing as needed. If it doesn’t work the first time, try, try and try again #caschat
There is a case to answer, #caschat, for the way in the past few years thgat a whole cohort of dedicated professionals have been treated so contemptuously. No other subject would have been treated this way.
A6 Teach really, really excellent lessons based on sound pedagogical practice that don’t rely on worksheets. Treat the subject as an academically rigourous one, use exercise books, mark for literacy, assess well and frequently and show a real passion for your subject #caschat
A6 Obviously #caschat ;) also make as much stuff as you can! @craigndave1 when you get stuck. Find your local cas hub @CASDurhamHub find a master teacher. Just make sure that you ask for help!
Would you be happy for that? If so then count me in. I am not all dom & gloom as I hope you know Simon, but that topic is IMHO the elephant in tbe room #caschat
A6 1 enjoy it, 2 you can not know everything, so do not stress embrace the kid that does!, 3 be enthusiastic about your subject, 4 encourage students to fail in a safe environment and 5 smile! your not alone #caschat
Whilst I have you all online, can I ask you to pass this link to your Science friends. It's a new site by a very talented guy who provides GCSE Science resources and has an excellent track record doing so. #caschathttps://t.co/9Ltf00vpwz
