What a wonderful request from Mandy Nash – how could you combine a study on rivers with some physical computing, and build a Crumble flood gate system?
Well first of all, we need to know how actual flood gates work! Welcome Professor Ivan Haigh who specialises in coastal flooding at Southampton University. Here is my solution, following his advice…
And here is the screen shot of the code I used, using the switch to manually control the flood gate:
The Teach Computing Curriculum is unparalleled in it’s quality, national curriculum coverage and value (it’s free!) and is constantly being updated as technology and needs demand.
If you are a leader and want to switch to the Teach Computing Curriculum – which is becoming the industry standard for primary schools, or you’re thinking about it, or you’ve recently switched to it, then why not attend a free short online course introducing you to it?
Alternatively you might be a teacher who simply needs a bit of a heads up as to what the TCC is all about, or want to know more about assessment, resources or software.
Here are two options for you! The courses are led by two enthusiastic up and coming Professional Development Leaders and I’ll be on hand to answer any trickier questions:
Introduction to the Teach Computing Curriculum – Wednesday 20th March 3:45 – 5:15pm
Introduction to the Teach Computing Curriculum – Tuesday 26th Match 3:45 – 5:15pm
More info on the TCC here:
Furthermore, if you’re interested in learning all about assessment (and evidence) in primary computing, I will be delivering a one off remote version of the day course ‘Assessment in Primary Computing’. It’s the same full content as the face to face version, but done in the comfort of your own home!
Book on here:
Assessment of primary computing – Tuesday 23rd April 9:30 – 4pm
What a fantastic conference! 174 primary and secondary leaders all under one roof, exploring, learning, networking and enjoying the breadth and depth of new technology, pedagogy, approaches and concepts. All this happened back in December 2023 at Oxford Brookes university, and we are very pleased to announce we are doing it all again in 2024 on December 12th at the same venue!
Booking links will come soon, but for now please save the date.
There will hopefully be other instances of this conference happening elsewhere in England; we are already supporting computing hubs up North, way out West and in the mid-East of England who are hoping to host this amazing opportunity for computing leaders. More news coming soon!
But for now, enjoy this video summary and see if you can spot yourself or anyone you know!
Also, please don’t forget we’ve got our Big Computing Leadership Chats coming up, book on here:
The Big Computing Leadership Network Meetings!
Title Image by StockSnap from Pixabay
Do you want to keep up to date with all the latest guidance around primary computing? Do you want to hear from other computing leaders around the UK? Would you benefit from being part of a wider network to share ideas and resources?
If the answer is yes, then join us for our after school online network chat over MS Teams. Scroll on below for the June meeting…
For those of you that couldn’t attend the March meeting, I’m pleased to say we recorded it!
Primary focus: Making the most of your free Micro:bits
We were very privileged to be joined by none other than Nic Hughes, who has just received accreditation as a Micro:bit Champion 2024!
There will be another session in June for Primary and Secondary:
Primary Computing Leadership Network Meeting – 11/06/24 – 3:45 – 4:45pm
Secondary Computing Leadership Network Meeting – 10/06/24 – 3:45 – 4:45pm
See you there!!!
(Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay)
I get asked by schools all the time for suggestions of alternative software; sometimes schools don’t have the right operating system or hardware; sometimes software is blocked by their academy or trust (it happens!) or sometimes pupils just don’t get on with the official software suggested!
So, I’ve created a spreadsheet that you can all add your suggestions to. I really hope that is helpful.
There needs to be some rules though! Please only add software if you have used it in your school and you are sure it works (don’t just google alternatives, they may be rubbish!). Secondly, please add a link in if you can (alt & return gives you a new line inside a spreadsheet cell) and if necessary, tell us if there is a subscription or log in required. Please also avoid software that has an age limit, as we don’t want to encourage teachers and pupils to break the rules.
I’ve put the official software (mentioned in the Teacher Guide) in the first row, so you know what was originally intended.
Let’s help each other out, spread the love and enable computing in our schools to be the best it can be!
Alternative software for KS1 and KS2 Teach Computing Curriculum units
Note: if you use alternative software, you may of course need to adapt the planning/ slides as they will contain screenshots and instructions for the original software intended. If you have already adapted the planning, then please add a link to it if you’re happy to share!! (G Drive link works best!)
Run Don't Walk - Primary Computing 