"What would Elon do?"
Hey parents! Stuck for a present or want to get your young computer scientist something they will love?
Students, are you a code cracker? CLICK HERE to try this Blue Peter challenge
How about some logic problems to solve? CLICK HERE
Or how about learning using (free) Minecraft? CLICK HERE
Corona Virus Information
Coding challenges can be found below.
For alternative computing related challenges CLICK HERE
If you would like ideas on other types of challenges, activities or just 'things to do', then CLICK HERE
CLICK HERE for some projects, activities and things to do whilst out of school
Coding challenges for all ages
Would you like to find out how to do these challenges?
CLICK HERE to see how to complete the Scratch 3 Fish Tank Challenge
Scratch Challenges
Scratch is a programming language that is used in schools around the World.
It is designed to be played with and to be fun.
Open a web browser using a laptop, tablet or desktop computer and go to:
Create an account to save and share your work.
Choose a task sheet you like the look of and solve the challenges. I recommend starting with "Scratch 3 Fish Tank" challenge.
The difficulty increases with each new task on all of the challenge sheets but the Alien Invasion challenge is the most advanced.
More will be added over time.
Have fun!
Why not Remix?
If you want to start using your coding skills, why not click on:
'Explore'
and see all the Scratch projects other people have written.
Why not choose one you like and modify it!?
By clicking on 'Remix' you get a copy of the code to play around with!
Have fun!
Use your Google Classroom to send links to the class showing off your Remixed apps!
Need some help with the basics?
Coding from Scratch: Variables
Use this YouTube Playlist to work through a coding problem.
The problem is to create a character in Scratch that can ask for your name and then politely welcome you - but all in a foreign language!
Coding from Scratch: IFTTT
Use this YouTube Playlist to work through a coding problem.
The problem is to create one of the first computer games ever - Pong!
CLICK HERE for the lesson resources in Scratch 2
CLICK HERE for the lesson resources in Scratch 3
[Video coming very soon]
Year 9
iDEA Award
The iDEA Award is a similar concept to the Duke of Edinburgh Awards but the challenges are digitally based. The challenges are very broad. There is something to engage everyone.
It is recognised by employers and HE admission boards so is an excellent qualification to prove digital competence.
Should school be closed, Year 9 CT students should work towards gaining their iDEA Award. Many students have already gained their Bronze Award. Some have achieved Silver. Who will be the first to achieve Gold?
If you need more information about this award please CLICK HERE
To log on, first go to RMUnify.com and open Google Drive. This will log you onto your School Google account.
Then go to: idea.org.uk and log in using the Google icon
"How can I help my child study CT?"
Computational Thinking
Never heard of it? We do it all the time! It is the fundamental stages of creativity. It is a framework we can use to help solve any given problem.
The goal of the CT department is to enable students to recognise a problem and have the confidence to attempt to solve it using their knowledge of technology.
Students are encouraged to follow these steps:
Don't panic! Understand the problem (self confidence and comprehension)
Break the problem down. Simplify. (decomposition)
Deja vu? Use your knowledge and experience. Spot patterns. (abstraction and study)
Create a plan. (algorithm)
Try it! What's the worst that could happen?
Evaluate. Did it work? If not, go back to 1 and try again. (perseverance)
CLICK HERE for the CT department 'Special Challenges'
(aka 'takeaway homeworks')
This is Mayuko, a software engineer in Silicon Valley. Check out her YouTube channel - CLICK HERE
CT has the power to change the World
The UK has a proud history in computing. By studying CT you will help secure the future of UK computing.
A career in CT will be rewarding financially. Apprentices can earn as much as £20k during training and higher level vocational qualifications mean as much, if not more, than a degree. Why incur debts of £65k+ at University?
Once qualified, the average software developer can expect between £35k and £75k+ depending upon experience, skills and location.
A career in CT will also be spiritually rewarding as CT is creative. It provides the tools to create solutions to the problems around you. For example CT can give someone their independence back, or mobility, or improve the efficiency of a business.
Solutions that ultimately benefit the economy and our society.
Computational Thinking:
Learning to be a Digital Producer...
...NOT merely a Digital Consumer
CLICK HERE for examples of careers in the technology sector
"What do you call a geek in 10 years time?"
Boss.
GCSE Computer Science
An interesting, respected, robust applied maths qualification.
The course prepares students for the further study of Computer Science, a career in any technology sector or simply provides an insight into the world of Computational Thinking.
We study towards the OCR GCSE Computer Science course which is weighted:
20% programming controlled assessment (using Python v3)
80% written theory assessment
A successful GCSE Computer Science student therefore must be able solve a given problem programmatically and demonstrate a knowledge of key technologies.
Key Stage 3
The goal of a Key Stage 3 CT student is to demonstrate the stages of Computational Thinking (creativity):
Demonstrate confidence when approaching a new challenge due to knowledge of key technologies
Demonstrate the ability to break down a problem into smaller, more manageable chunks
Demonstrate the ability to use previous experiences when tackling new challenges
Demonstrate the ability to develop and effectively communicate a plan to solve a problem
Demonstrate a resilience to failure and to keep persevering
CT students will be assessed on the following:
Homework and self-study
#REVISECT
Students need to continue their learning beyond the classroom, reading up on topics covered in class to get more understanding and confidence - even if they miss a lesson
Resilience and perseverance
#LIVECT
Not giving up! An important aspect of Computational Thinking
Coding skills
#CODEQ
Students need to learn to how to speak to computer systems. Whether it is Scratch, Python, C++ or another formal language.
Computer technology theory knowledge
#KNOWIT
What do they know about computer systems, software, hardware, machine architecture and networking
Solution design and communication
#DESIGN
We live in Algorithmic times. Students need to be able to describe a solution using pseudocode or flowcharts
Under 18? Worried about something you saw online?
Talk to someone; your parents or a teacher. If you can't talk with either then click on this link and talk to someone who is part of the Police online support team. They are fully trained to help you.
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Whether you like it or not you are still a child so you are protected.
