Newsletter Autumn 2012 (Issue 9)
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 The CAS newsletter "SWITCHED ON" is published once a term (approx.) and is made freely available for download from here. We welcome comments, suggestions and items for inclusion in future issues. Our goal is to put the fun back into computing at school. Will you help us? Send all contributions to newsletter@computingatschool.org.uk ISSN 2050-1277 |
Web Supplement
Links to further resources and information covered in this issue:
Page 1
how do we teach our kids to code?
We would encourage all readers to join the CAS Online community, join the discussions and share resources. You can find out how to register (it's free!) at http://community.computingatschool.org.uk/
Page 2 & 3
preston hub takes next steps in learning python
This is an edited version of the original report of the hub meeting published on Alan O'Donohoe's blog. You can read more of his thoughts, and reports from some of the other impressive initiatives he has organised at http://teachcomputing.wordpress.com/
BUILDING CAS LOCAL HUBS: There is no "them", only us
You can find a list of current local hubs, with contact details for the organisers on the CS website. For more insights into what to expect you can listen to Manchester hub leader, Amanda Banks being interviewed here:
spreading the knowledge via the network of excellence
If you responded to the expression of interest in the Computer Science Network of Excellence you should have received an e-mail shortly before the summer break. It stated,
"We are planning a number of regional meetings for September and will be in touch shortly with the details of these. At these meetings you will have the opportunity to understand how the network will operate and formally confirm your school's participation.(Note this meeting is free of charge and will be held as a twilight meeting to minimise disruption to the school)."
Please contact Simon Humphreys if you haven't heard.
CAS Roundups show it is good to talk
Details of forthcoming topics can be found at http://casroundup.wikispaces.com/ The discusisons are packaged as a podcast and can be found at http://casroundup.wordpress.com/
Page 4
the relationship between coding and computer science
This is an abbreviated version of an article that first appeared in Miles Berry's blog at http://milesberry.net/2012/05/coders-and-compscis/
See also his Guardian article on agile pedagogy at http://www.guardian.co.uk/teacher-network/teacher-blog/2012/may/16/agile-pedagogy-computer-programming-learning
CAS TEACHER CONFERENCES ARE ANOTHER HUGE SUCCESS
You can find links to videos and slides to download from various sessions / workshops at the CAS Teacher Conference 2012 at http://www.computingatschool.org.uk/index.php?id=conf2012
Direct links to the YouTube and Audioboo channels are on the CAS homepage at the time of writing, but for reference they can be found here: http://audioboo.fm/ComputingatSchool and http://www.youtube.com/computingatschool
computing blogs being aggregated at planet cas
Planet CAS can be found at http://planetcas.org.uk/ The RSS feed is http://planetcas.org.uk/atom.xml The selection criteria for contributing blogs can be found at http://planetcas.org.uk/about.html. If you would like you blog posts syndicated in this way you can contact Neil on neil@twistedsquare.com
Page 5
getting primary pupils coding with the help of code club
You can find out more about the activities of Code Club (and volunteer to help) via their website. A blog with regular progress updates is at http://codeclub.org.uk/blog/
project idea (Part ONE): CREATING A VIRTUAL PET
Lin White's excellent blog "ICT in Action" can be found at http://ictinaction.wordpress.com/. There are more details and instructions for the Virtual Pet project in her posts dated July 21st, 23rd and 28th.
The original idea came from Nikki Maddams scheme of work on her website:
Page 6
teaching programming: five key tips for success
Michael Kollings "Joy Of Code" videos can be found at http://blogs.kent.ac.uk/mik/category/joy-of-code/
ten excellent mini programming projects
Laura Dixon's excellent suggestions can be found on her blog CodeBoom at http://codeboom.wordpress.com/2012/07/30/10-mini-programming-projects/ Laura posted the link on the new CAS Online community resource repository. If you have something to share, or want inspiration, please take a look at http://community.computingatschool.org.uk/resources
Page 7
developing a new literacy: Interview with codecademy
Codecademy can be found at www.codecademy.com/ If you have suggestions or feedback on developments you can contact Sasha on Sasha@codecademy.com
Page 8
introducing principles of encryption via spreadsheets
The scheme of work produced jointly by The Digital SchoolHouse and Bletchley Park are currently under final review and will be made available as soon as possible. In the meantime you can download much of the supporting material from The Digital SchoolHouse here: http://www.resources.digitalschoolhouse.org.uk/algorithms/192-spreadsheets-encryption-bletchley
National cipher challenge
You can find out more about this years competition, the 11th annual cypher challenge, on the University of Southampton Mathematics website, nearer the launch date at the end of September. The website is at http://www.cipher.maths.soton.ac.uk/
Further information can be found at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Cipher_Challenge
Page 9
sensing our world: projects using scratch sensorboards
Margaret Low is speaking with Claire Davenport and Simon Humphreys about how best to share their resources with the CAS community. Meanwhile, here are some useful links
Sensing Our World workshop: http://scratched.media.mit.edu/resources/sensing-our-world-workshop and the conference sessions (shared on ScratchEd) http://scratched.media.mit.edu/content/1445
using scratch to create your own datalogger
The Scratch programs to gather and display data, as well as an excellent explanotory document can be downloaded from http://www.myra-simon.com/myra/scratch/
Page 10
activity day pupils explore "amazing" lego mindstorms
You can find details of how to build an explorer at http://www.nxtprograms.com/NXT2/explorer/steps.html
key stage 3 robotics club thrives using arduino
For further details of RoboCup Junior see the official website: http://rcj.robocup.org/index.html
Page 11
Building a digital camera with .net gadgeteer
.NET Gadgeteer kits and modules are available via the .NET Gadgeteer website at http://netmf.com/gadgeteer There are also teaching materials available there also.
The link for lesson plans is here: http://www.netmf.com/gadgeteer/curriculum.aspx
A more extensive set of lesson plans is here: https://www.facultyresourcecenter.com/curriculum/GB/8939-NET-Gadgeteer-School-Lesson-Plans.aspx?c1=en-gb&c2=GB&wa=wsignin1.0
Page 12
programs can be FAR more than just games and apps
Aaron Sloman produced an expanded list of different types of programming which can be found at http://tinyurl.com/thinky-ex/kinds-of-programming.html He welcomes proposals for improvement of the list, including addition of new categories. Email: A.Sloman@cs.bham.ac.uk
Two summaries of Paul Nurse's views on computational biology can be found at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Te8bXviniIA and http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/blog/2010/nov/12/biology-quantum-leap
alan turing's centenary: Can you solve google's doodle?
You can find the doodle here: http://www.google.com/doodles/alan-turings-100th-birthday
If you wish to play with the code behind the puzzles this blogspot provides the starting point: http://google-opensource.blogspot.ch/2012/07/turing-complete-puzzle-game.html#!/2012/07/turing-complete-puzzle-game.html
Page 13
introducing the notion of nature inspired computing
The Nature of Code course by Daniel Shiffman can be found at http://www.shiffman.net/teaching/nature/
For more details on the programming language Processing see http://www.processing.org
Page 14 & 15
thorpe park introduces new computing workshops
For more details about the range of workshops available and the pre and post lesson resources to use with your class, please visit www.thorpepark.com and follow the links groups, schools or email Chris Chedzey on chris.chedzey@thorpe-park.co.uk.
another huge entry for animation 12
You can view the work of the winners and a video of the Festival Day in the Gallery on the Animation 12 website here: http://animation12.cs.manchester.ac.uk/
A full list of the winners is here: http://animation12.cs.manchester.ac.uk/competition-main/group4/winners
it's the community driving raspberry pi developments
The starting point for all things Raspberry Pi is their website: www.raspberrypi.org
raspberry jam
You can find out more about Raspberry Jams past and planned on the website at http://raspberryjam.org.uk/ To get a feel for what a Jam involves watch this inspirational video of the Machynlleth launch jam: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNxwUhalKYI or read Rory Cellan-Jones review of the Cambridge jam here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-18853587
codebreaker: Alan turing's life and legacy
The exhibition at the Science Museum in London runs until July 2013. You can find more information at http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/visitmuseum/galleries/turing.aspx including a useful introductory video with possible uses in the classroom.
Page 16
planning CPD: HOW BEST TO SHARE THE KNOWLEDGE
If you would like to take part in our survey to find out what teachers feel is most effective for computing CPD, please follow this link: http://www.pythonsummerschool.net/questionnaire.html
CAS NORFOLK PRODUCE CPD resources
The resources introducing VB and Small Basic can be found at www.learnvb.co.uk
Page 17
computing++ tapping the enthusiasm and expertise
You can find out more about Computing++ at http://www.computingplusplus.org/faq/. Martin Saunders can be contacted directly via "me (at) martingsaunders (dot) com" or tweet @MartinGSaunders
generating genius
Details of the Generating Genius programme can be found one their website: http://www.generatinggenius.org.uk/
Page 18
wales gets £3 million to develop computing cpd
Hayward, J. (2012). Find it, Make it, Use it, Share it - Learning in Digital Wales. Cardiff: Department for Education and Skills, Welsh Government.
as CAS hubs grow, teachers are raring to go in wales
You can find details of all CAS activities in Wales on Tom Crick's blog at https://drtomcrick.wordpress.com/tag/cas-wales/
Page 19
cas NI launches
Clarke's blog, which covers a range of topics pertinent to computer science teachers can be found at http://computingteacher.edublogs.org If you would like to join the CAS NI mailing list by send a blank e-mail to casni+subscribe@googlegroups.com
my favourite book
The Revolution Will Be Digitized by Heather Brooke is available at Amazon amongst others. http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Revolution-will-Digitised-Information/dp/0434020907/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1341869680&sr=8-1
Page 20
an indispensible free resource
You'll find all the material you need to enhance your lessons at the cs4fn website: www.cs4fn.org. The books of magic can be downloaded from www.cs4fn.org/magic For more information on school talks, visit www.eecs.qmul.ac.uk/schools .
join cas!
Like what you have read? Join us in helping shape the future. Please contact CAS through membership@computingatschool.org.uk
This curriculum, produced by a working party within CAS, describes in concrete terms what a Computing curriculum at school might look like. It uses the same structure as the National Curriculum Programmes of Study: importance of the discipline; key concepts; key processes; range and content; and level descriptors. It is not cast in stone, so please send feedback.
