CAS Secondary Community

New resource alert! We’ve just launched a new resource for teaching students aged 10-12 all about AI. You can view the resource here: Understanding what AI is and what to watch out for

Hi everyone,
Just a quick reminder that our next meeting, Transition from Blocks to Text with EduBlocks, is happening tomorrow at 4pm. There’s still time to join us for what promises to be an engaging and insightful session.

Whether you’ve attended before or are joining for the first time, this is a great chance to share your experiences and connect with others in the community.

Register here if you haven’t yet: Transition from Blocks to Text with EduBlocks

One for teachers in Scotland:

To kick off the school year, Ada Computer Science has mapped their content to the SQA’s National 5, Higher, and Advanced Higher qualifications, giving teachers and students access to free SQA Computing Science resources that meet the specific requirements of their qualification: Ada Computer Science

We have also introduced two new (free) 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.

Hopefully they will be useful to you! Ada Computer Science

In case you missed the exciting announcement at CAS Conference, Richard Pawson announced ELAN - a new programming language designed for education. You can find out more and join the discussion here: Elan - the first new programming language designed for British schools since BBC Basic - #10 by Richard_Pawson

Following evidence provided by BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT and the CAS community that GCSE computer science was being graded too harshly, Ofqual have published its findings today in A review of standards in computer science. Read more at Ofqual responds to BCS concerns over grading in GCSE Computer Science (computingatschool.org.uk)

Thank you to everyone who joined us for CAS Conference on Saturday - it was great to see you all in person! We hope you all enjoyed catching up with each other and listening to some great speakers as well. And don’t forget, the session materials are available to download from

https://www.computingatschool.org.uk/communities-and-events/cas-conference-2024/workshop-programme

Hi folks,

With the academic year coming to an end and GCSE exams finally over, we (Ada Computer Science) have prepared some summer resources to help you pique your students’ interest in continuing to study A Level Computer Science next year.

As always, our content is completely free and you can easily tailor it to meet your students’ needs.

Our summer resources include a slide deck and lesson plan for A-level taster sessions, as well as several engaging quizzes to spark your students’ curiosity.

Highlight the benefits of studying Computer Science and view our Summer Learning page today.

Link - Ada Computer Science

Hi everyone! You can now catch up on our recent Physical Computing meeting. We’ve got a summary blog and a recording ready for you to check out.
Creative KS3 Computing with a micro:bit - CAS Physical Computing TC meeting

Next week a report is being launched on a three year project looking at computing education in England. This includes 5,000 surveys with young people, interviews with senior leaders in high provision non-selective state schools and analysis of national data sets. The findings are being presented along with evidence informed ideas to help you improve the uptake of the subject in your school; also, there is a nice interactive website for you to explore national subject provision. The event is free and open to everyone: Microsoft Forms
Subject Choice, Attainment and Representation in Computing
Online launch
Date: Thursday, 27th June 2024 Time: 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM UTC +1

Catch up on yesterday’s CAS Secondary Community meeting, ‘Strype: Python with a blocks-like interface,’ with our summary blog post and recording.

Check out the latest blog post for a summary and recording of our recent community meeting on Pearson Edexcel Tech Awards in Digital Information Technology and Creative Media Production.

Edexcel Tech Awards in DIT & Creative Media Production - CAS Vocational Qualifications TC meeting

New resource! This is ideal for year 6 students on a transition to secondary day. It can be done with or without computers and focuses on ciphers and code breaking.

New resource! Use this to teach students how to use AI responsibly and what to watch out for.

We’ve got 3 events this week:
Cisco isn’t just networking tonight: Cisco NetAcad - it isn't just Networking
Edexcel’s Creative Media Production course overview tomorrow: Edexcel Tech Awards in DIT & Creative Media Production
Stripe (Python with a blocks interface) on Wednesday: Strype: Python with a blocks-like interface, in the browser
I hope to see you there!

!! Calling all schools longing for more engaging STEM lessons and lightbulb moments !!

SEND, Primary, Secondary, Specialist, Grammar, Private, Academies, clubs, all welcome!

My multi-awarding winning company CirKits Ltd® is currently selecting 25 schools in 3 regions for the opportunity to road test the teaching resource ComponentBuilder, which:

• Encourages more girls to take up STEM subjects
• Improves grades (21% average mark improvement in our trial)
• Makes computer science more engaging for all students

ComponentBuilder is a tactile learning resource that I have developed to give students the opportunity to interactively experiment with the insides of the computer in a collaborative, innovative way.

If you’re passionate about improving computer science learning experiences and having an impact on STEM results in UK schools, please give me a shout.

Our aim with these 25 schools is to replicate our trial results before bringing ComponentBuilder to the market nationwide.

Here’s how it’ll work:

• I’ll come visit your school twice (and bring my 10 years of computer science teaching experience with me) - once to teach a computing/STEM lesson using ComponentBuilder and once to get your feedback.
• You will then get to loan a ComponentBuilder kit, free of charge, for 2 weeks to use in lessons, focus groups, extracurricular activities and transition days.
• I’ll support and advise you throughout the demo period.

!! The road test will run in the September-October 2024 term !!

If you’re at STEMFest 4-5th of July I’ll be exhibiting the ComponentBuilder and I’d love to see you.

For more information about me and this exciting opportunity, look me up on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hwright3d/ or email me at info@cirkits.co.uk.

Can’t wait to hear from you

Hannah Wright
Founder and CEO of CirKits Ltd®

CirKits is fuelled by a passion for lightbulb moments, bringing more women into STEM and creating better computer science learning experiences for students.

Have you got year 6s joining you at some point before summer for a transition to secondary school day? Need an activity you can do with them. We’ve got you covered! Year 6 - 7 Transition

Apologies, the link was wrong in my last update. This is the new course link:

The Raspberry Pi Foundation have just announced a free online course that makes it easy to learn the concepts behind AI: ‘Understanding AI for teachers’.

It opens for learning on 01 July.

Build your knowledge about the types of AI systems, both predictive and generative.

Evaluate the impacts of AI tools on work and education, and how you and your learners can ethically use AI tools.

Prompt an AI “chatbot” and an image generator, and discover how knowing more about how these tools work can help you improve their output.

Learn anytime, anywhere, with the option to earn a professional certificate.

Go here to view the course: https://www.edx.org/learn/computer-programming/raspberry-pi-foundation-impact-of-technology-how-to-lead-classroom-discussions?utm_source=cas_forums&utm_medium=partner-marketing&utm_campaign=raspberrypifoundation

If you missed last night’s session about the Raspberry Pi Foundation’s code editor for Python & HTML, you can read a summary and check out the resources here Raspberry Pi Foundation's Code Editor - TC meeting

Are you teaching in the Yorkshire region?
Good news! You can now submit an expression of interest to become a CyberFirst school.

Timeline:

Expressions of interest must be submitted before 20th July, 2024 (link to the form below).
September: Teachers will be supported through the formal application process by the CyberFirst outreach team.
In mid-to-late October 2024: the CyberFirst assessment panel will review formal applications submitted by schools.

Link to express interest now: Microsoft Forms

*Applications are open for schools in Barnsley, Bradford, Calderdale, Doncaster, East Riding of Yorkshire, Hull, Kirklees, Leeds, NE Lincolnshire, North Yorkshire, Rotherham, Sheffield, Wakefield, and York.

A request from Rachel Arthur:
Hi all

If you teach GCSE computing please can you help me by completing this form:

https://forms.office.com/e/siHKz5v1SC 6

I am completing my masters and researching the impact teaching AI has on girls uptake of GCSE computing, and I am hoping to be able to share my findings at the CAS conference in July !

So would really appreciate you taking the time to complete this so I have something to present to you all then !!

Thanks
Rachel

Join me on Thursday at 4pm to get a demo of Raspberry Pi Foundation’s code editor suitable for HTML & Python Raspberry Pi Foundation's Code Editor for Python & HTML

If you missed the session earlier this week about free careers resources suitable for students, check out the summary including links here: FREE Careers resources from BCS & Tech She Can - Primary & Secondary TC meeting

Are you a newly-qualified computer science teacher (or know of one)?

Ada Computer Science is running a free mentoring programme run by experienced teachers that will support you with your continuing professional development. It starts in June and runs throughout the summer.

We are here to help you hit the ground running next year!

Ada Computer Science

The Department for Education is proposing an updated version of the Computer Science GCSE to reflect advancements in technology since the publication of the current subject content in 2015. Findings from this consultation will be taken into account when finalising the subject content. Give your views here:

Join me on Wednesday at 4pm for a hands on AI masterclass from James Kuht (former CTO). With free pro tools now available from ChatGPT this is going to be a very interesting session!
https://www.computingatschool.org.uk/events/2024/may/cas-ai-hands-on-ai-masterclass-from-a-former-cto

Hi folks, Ada Computer Science has now released the new Database Design and Development project on their platform. We previously released material to support the Computer Systems area of study earlier this year which means we now cover more than half of the theory content to support Scotland’s National 5 and Higher specifications.

Database Design: Ada Computer Science

Computer Systems: Ada Computer Science

We’ve also finished tagging our content to the SQA exam board, so teachers and students can quickly see what’s relevant to them in all four areas of study.

You can filter the platform to find SQA content in two ways:

While logged out: go to Topics > select a topic, e.g Data Structures > Use the drop down in the top-right corner of the screen to select your Stage.

While logged in: My Ada > My Account > Select the Exam Board and Stage you want to filter our topics by to permanently customise your logged-in experience.

Join me on Tuesday at 4pm to find out about free resources for promoting tech careers to students
https://www.computingatschool.org.uk/events/2024/may/tech-she-can-stem-careers-inspiration-for-children

Hopefully your students are acing the exam this afternoon! Please use these forum posts to comment on the paper once you’ve seen it.
OCR: OCR Exam paper 1
AQA: AQA Exam paper 1
Edexcel: Edexcel Exam paper 1

Registration for the Coolest Projects 2024 online showcase is closing next week.

Coolest Projects is a free technology showcase open to young people up to age 18 from anywhere in the world.

Entries are open until Wednesday 22 May. All digital projects are welcome, from beginner to advanced, and participants can even enter a project that isn’t quite finished.

Participants will:

· Get certificates to recognise their achievements
· Receive personalised feedback from judges on their projects to help them take it to the next level
· Join a fun livestream on 26 June to celebrate all the amazing entries with the global Coolest Projects community

Find out more here Coolest Projects online 2024, or get in touch with the team at hello@coolestprojects.org with any questions.

Neil asked
Does anyone have any suggestions to the issue of needing to replace a lot of hardware in a short space of time with limited resources? A good number of our PCs are not going to support the upgrade to Windows 11. Has any particular strategy worked well for your school?
Respond in the forum if you can help Hardware - strategies for upgrading a number of PCs

Join me tomorrow at 4pm where I’ll be joined by Tech We Can for careers resources for KS3 Tech She Can - STEM Careers inspiration for children

If you missed the session last night about the DataFace competition which is open to schools nationwide for KS3 students here is all the info you need DataFace - what is it and how can you get involved? Secondary TC meeting

On Tuesday we’ll be discussing the DataFace competition which is aimed at Y8-9 students. Working with four core datasets focused on environmental responsibility, gender equality and the cost-of-living crisis along with a range of short teaching videos, students develop their skills and produce a creative visual outcome. Sign up here: DataFace Competition - Find out more

On Wednesday we’ll be discussing being a Head of Department (and those who are aspiring to be) and the new Secondary Leaders Toolkit resource launching next week. Come and get insights from experienced HoDs. Sign up here: CAS Secondary - Reflections on leadership

Join me on Monday where I’ll be joined by 2 teachers discussing AI for assessment AI to enhance assessment and integrity

Ada Computer Science: tips, resources, and questions for the ultimate exam prep

Hi folks. As exam season approaches, we (Ada Computer Science) have put everything you need for GCSE and A level Computer Science revision into one ‘revision special’ blog post.

Whether you’re a student looking for revision topics, or a teacher who wants to save time when setting practice questions, we’ve got free revision materials that are perfect for a stress-free exam prep.

Read the article here: Ada Computer Science

If you missed this week’s session about Mission Encodeable’s fun, free programming platform you can check out the blog post and recording here: Mission Encodeable - Making programming fun - Secondary TC Meeting

Tonight Interactive 3D community had a session around Interactive 3D and some new free resources which are great for the KS3 curriculum: Getting started with Epic's Unreal Editor for Fortnite - Interactive 3D Community Meeting

On Thursday at 4 pm I’ll be joined by Rebecca Franks for an introduction to Unreal Editor for Fortnite.

Explore our new enrichment resources that will support your learners in getting started in Unreal Editor for Fortnite. In the enrichment sessions, learners can design their own 3D world and personalise it with their own objects, they can then make a fun collectable game.
Sign up here: Getting started in Unreal Editor for Fortnite

On Wednesday at 4 pm I’ll be joined by Harry Wake and Anna Wake who will be
-offering some top tips on how you can make your programming lessons more interesting.
-demonstrating how to teach fundamental programming contexts with real-life scenarios, for instance, how programming can be used to tackle climate change.
-showcasing Mission Encodeable, the website they’ve created that takes students from knowing nothing about programming in Python to being able to answer high-demand GCSE programming questions. It’s completely free to access, very popular with students, and includes lots of interesting, real-world projects.
Sign up here Mission Encodeable's free programming resources

Hi everyone,

We’ve recently released video resources to help with online platforms like Google, Teams, and Seesaw:

• Seesaw - Evidencing Using Seesaw - 4 video sessions

• Google Classroom - Getting Started with Google Classroom - 4 video sessions

• MS Teams - Getting started with Microsoft Teams - 3 video sessions

We wanted to draw your attention to the TEALS UK programme, where volunteers from industry such as Microsoft support computing lessons (KS3 or KS4) on a weekly basis. This follows on from a pilot carried out this academic year and applications are now open for the 2024-2035 academic year, To find out how your school can benefit from this increased capacity and contextual knowledge, which may be specifically helpful for lessons led by non-specialists in your department, please see the following application page:

We’ve also recorded a webinar if you wanted the finer details of the programme here: https://youtu.be/aiWD7FAgoLw
Have a wonderful break when it arrives.

The slides from the Pearson session yesterday are here: Demo_p2_27feb24.pdf - Google Drive The recording is here https://youtu.be/TQ3ggO8f6Ao

At KS4 teachers often wonder what the alternative is to Computer Science or IT for those who can’t access the subjects or who are more interested in using technology than programming. coding and theory. On Thursday at 4pm, Jennie Eyres will introduce the Cambridge National in Creative iMedia as a possible alternative course for those students.
https://www.computingatschool.org.uk/communities/cas-vocational-qualifications

The next community meeting is on Tuesday at 4pm. It will be a practical demonstration of the Pearson Edexcel Paper 2 on-screen assessment covering the logistics of running the assessment from a student’s perspective. Additional time for questions about all aspects of the Pearson Edexcel GCSE Computer Science specification and assessments. This session would be excellent for any teachers who would like to know more about this approach so that they can consider the use of this for their students.

https://www.computingatschool.org.uk/events/2024/february/on-screen-assessment-gcse

To celebrate Careers Week (4–9 March), the Ada Computer Science team have invited two speakers from different fields of computing to talk about their careers. The live Q&A webinars are for students aged 14 to 18 and their teachers.

Students can find out how our speakers navigated their way through formal education, what challenges they faced, and what it’s like to work in the exciting fields of AI and machine learning and video game design. Students will also have the opportunity to ask their own questions in our live Q&A at the end of each session.

Find out more and sign up your class for free today: https://adacomputerscience.org/pages/20240206_careers_week?examBoard=cie&stage=all

It’s here, the first episode of “How to Teach Computer Science - The Podcast”, it’s got jokes, silly sound effects and a competition, and I explain why I don’t allow pupils to play games when they are “finished”. Oh and I give some Computer Science teaching advice too. Please subscribe in your favourite podcast app (search “httcs”) or find all episodes here:

I will publish one episode per week, coming up I have Data Representation, Programming, Inclusion and an episode provisionally entitled “Call it ICT again, I dare you!”, with some great guests coming in.
Thanks for your support!

Thanks to everyone who came to the CAS Secondary online community event on Thu 8th Feb 2024. Here’s a recording for anyone who couldn’t make it: https://youtu.be/r2JFV5U7rBA

Thank you to Matt Hewlett from Digit for sharing and the Coding for Climate Action resources: https://www.digitall.charity/codingforclimateaction and the Meet And Code grants: https://www.digitall.charity/meetandcode

Thank you to Laura Cumming and Florian Aucompte from Ocado who talked us through how to make the most of the blockly and python levels on Rapid Router and the collaborative python challenges on Kuromo. Both free and available here: https://www.codeforlife.education

Finally, thank you to Prem Hirani and Helen Clemson from Oxford University Press who shared about their new Revision Guide for OCR GCSE Computer Science: teachers can get a free copy by emailing Helen with your school name and school postcode from your school email address: helen.clemson@oup.com

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The next event is 27th Feb looking at the on screen python assessment in the Pearson / Edexcel GCSE Computer Science qualification. More details here: CAS Secondary Community

Huge thank you to Becci Peters for getting these events set up for the Secondary CAS Community. Have a really good half term.

Dear Secondary Computing teachers.
Wow, the long month of January finally ended and we can see half-term on the horizon!

I am recruiting additional members for the NCCE Network Practitioner Panel on A-level and GCSE Computer Science. The next meeting is this Tuesday, 6th Feb at 4pm, and we meet half-termly online for about 90 minutes.

No experience is necessary, just come along and share your ideas and network with other teachers. The topics for this Tuesday are:
• Preparing for exams – what are your top tips?
• KS4 qualifications – alternatives to GCSE CS
• The Isaac Computer Science offer from the NCCE
If you feel this is something you wish to be part of, and can commit to at least 3 sessions per year, please get in touch asap at alan@httcs.online.
Many thanks
Alan

Alan Harrison, Specialist PDL for the NCCE

If you missed the esports event you can catch up with the recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sr59GHNNsrU
The slides are here: British Esports BCS CAS Mtg Dec 2023.pdf - Google Drive