teachwithict
  • Home
  • Teaching & Learning
    • Tools for Teachers >
      • Web 2.0 >
        • Top 10 Web 2.0 Tools
        • Classroom Response Tools
      • Quiz Tools
      • Classroom Management Tools
      • Software >
        • Media Conversion Tools
        • Application Software
      • Multimedia >
        • Free Music
    • Digital Leaders >
      • Digital Leaders Blog >
        • DL Archive
      • DL Tips
      • Quotes
      • Links
    • BYOD
    • Flipped Learning >
      • Flipped Classroom vs. Blended Classroom
    • Gamification >
      • Gamification vs. Game Based Learning vs. Game Design
    • Game Based Learning >
      • Minecraft >
        • Minecraft in Education
        • Minecraft Lesson Ideas
        • Minecraft Literacy
        • Minecraft Coding Tutorials >
          • Minecraft Code Builder Setup
          • Minecraft Code: Walking on Air
          • Minecraft Code: Hello World
          • Minecraft Code: Functions
          • Minecraft Code: Rainbow
          • Minecraft Code: Skyscraper
          • Minecraft Pixel Art
    • The magic of >
      • The magic of Computing
      • The magic of Maths
      • The magic of Science
      • The magic of Literacy
    • Breakout Edu
    • PLN Challenge >
      • Covering your backside
      • Twitter Challenge >
        • Challenge 1
        • Challenge 2
        • Challenge 3
        • Tips for staying safe on Twitter
        • Tips for hosting Edu Twitter Chats
        • Tips for taking part in Twitter chats
        • How to storify a chat
        • How to schedule Tweets
        • Twitter Lists
        • It's all about the hashtag! Essential chats for educators
      • Facebook Challenge >
        • Challenge 4
        • Challenge 5
        • Challenge 6
        • Tips for staying safe on Facebook
      • Google Challenge >
        • Challenge 7
        • Challenge 8
        • Challenge 9
      • Pinterest Challenge >
        • Challenge 10
        • Challenge 11
        • Challenge 12
        • Tips for using Pinterest
      • Blog Challenge >
        • Challenge 13
        • Challenge 14
        • Challenge 15
        • How to create a classroom blog
      • Staffrm Challenge >
        • Challenge 16
        • Challenge 17
        • Challenge 18
      • Skype Challenge >
        • Challenge 19
        • Challenge 20
        • Challenge 21
      • Edmodo Challenge >
        • Challenge 22
        • Challenge 23
        • Challenge 24
      • TeachMeet Challenge >
        • Challenge 25
        • Challenge 26
        • Challenge 27
      • In-school challenge >
        • Challenge 28
        • Challenge 29
        • Challenge 30
      • 30 ways to grow your PLN
    • T&L Blog
  • Computing
    • Computing Blog >
      • GCSE Computer Science
      • General
    • CPD >
      • Blocks to Code
      • Tutorials >
        • How to embed Flash into PowerPoint
        • How to embed YouTube videos in to PowerPoint
        • How to create a wiki
        • How to create a classroom blog
    • Teaching Computer Science >
      • Schemes of Work
      • Programming Resources
      • Theory
      • Posters
    • Theory Lessons >
      • Theory Tests
      • Computer Hardware >
        • Input / Output
        • CPU
        • LMC
        • Storage Devices
        • Memory (RAM / ROM)
      • Binary Lessons >
        • Units of Data
        • Binary Representation
        • Binary Representation of Images
        • Binary Representation of Characters
        • Binary Representation of Sound
        • Binary Representation of Instructions
        • Binary Addition
        • Hexadecimal
      • Software >
        • Operating System
        • Types of Software
        • Utility Software
      • Programming >
        • Flowcharts
    • Game Design
    • App Creation
    • Digital Literacy >
      • Social Media (Good or Bad thing?)
      • Cyberbullying
      • Staying Safe Online
    • ICT Strand >
      • Spreadsheet Modelling
      • Superhero Movie Trailer
      • PowerPoint Task
      • Paint 3D Tutorial
    • Programming Lessons >
      • Microbit >
        • Magic 8 Ball
        • Harry Potter Sorting Hat
        • Music
        • Music (Festive)
        • Quick Start Guide
        • Microbit Simulator
      • TouchDevelop >
        • TouchDevelop Challenge
        • Scheme of Work
        • TouchDevelop Lessons >
          • 8 bit challenge
          • Turing Test
          • Turtle Power
          • 8 Ball
          • Under the hood
        • Tutorials
      • Raspberry Pi >
        • Networking the Pi
        • Minecraft Pi
        • Harry Potter Sorting Hat >
          • Harry Potter Sorting Hat (GPIO)
        • Raspberry Pi LTSP (Networked Classroom)
        • Astro Pi
      • Scratch
      • Python >
        • Chatbot
        • Coding Golf
        • Magic 8 ball
        • Python Mad Libs
        • Shakespearean Insult Generator >
          • Shakespearean Insult Generator Part 2
        • Sorting Hat
      • Little Man Computer
      • Hour of Code >
        • HoC 8-Bit Challenge
  • 21 Things
  • Microbit
    • Physical Computing >
      • micro:bit LEDs
  • About
  • Blog
  • Home
  • Teaching & Learning
    • Tools for Teachers >
      • Web 2.0 >
        • Top 10 Web 2.0 Tools
        • Classroom Response Tools
      • Quiz Tools
      • Classroom Management Tools
      • Software >
        • Media Conversion Tools
        • Application Software
      • Multimedia >
        • Free Music
    • Digital Leaders >
      • Digital Leaders Blog >
        • DL Archive
      • DL Tips
      • Quotes
      • Links
    • BYOD
    • Flipped Learning >
      • Flipped Classroom vs. Blended Classroom
    • Gamification >
      • Gamification vs. Game Based Learning vs. Game Design
    • Game Based Learning >
      • Minecraft >
        • Minecraft in Education
        • Minecraft Lesson Ideas
        • Minecraft Literacy
        • Minecraft Coding Tutorials >
          • Minecraft Code Builder Setup
          • Minecraft Code: Walking on Air
          • Minecraft Code: Hello World
          • Minecraft Code: Functions
          • Minecraft Code: Rainbow
          • Minecraft Code: Skyscraper
          • Minecraft Pixel Art
    • The magic of >
      • The magic of Computing
      • The magic of Maths
      • The magic of Science
      • The magic of Literacy
    • Breakout Edu
    • PLN Challenge >
      • Covering your backside
      • Twitter Challenge >
        • Challenge 1
        • Challenge 2
        • Challenge 3
        • Tips for staying safe on Twitter
        • Tips for hosting Edu Twitter Chats
        • Tips for taking part in Twitter chats
        • How to storify a chat
        • How to schedule Tweets
        • Twitter Lists
        • It's all about the hashtag! Essential chats for educators
      • Facebook Challenge >
        • Challenge 4
        • Challenge 5
        • Challenge 6
        • Tips for staying safe on Facebook
      • Google Challenge >
        • Challenge 7
        • Challenge 8
        • Challenge 9
      • Pinterest Challenge >
        • Challenge 10
        • Challenge 11
        • Challenge 12
        • Tips for using Pinterest
      • Blog Challenge >
        • Challenge 13
        • Challenge 14
        • Challenge 15
        • How to create a classroom blog
      • Staffrm Challenge >
        • Challenge 16
        • Challenge 17
        • Challenge 18
      • Skype Challenge >
        • Challenge 19
        • Challenge 20
        • Challenge 21
      • Edmodo Challenge >
        • Challenge 22
        • Challenge 23
        • Challenge 24
      • TeachMeet Challenge >
        • Challenge 25
        • Challenge 26
        • Challenge 27
      • In-school challenge >
        • Challenge 28
        • Challenge 29
        • Challenge 30
      • 30 ways to grow your PLN
    • T&L Blog
  • Computing
    • Computing Blog >
      • GCSE Computer Science
      • General
    • CPD >
      • Blocks to Code
      • Tutorials >
        • How to embed Flash into PowerPoint
        • How to embed YouTube videos in to PowerPoint
        • How to create a wiki
        • How to create a classroom blog
    • Teaching Computer Science >
      • Schemes of Work
      • Programming Resources
      • Theory
      • Posters
    • Theory Lessons >
      • Theory Tests
      • Computer Hardware >
        • Input / Output
        • CPU
        • LMC
        • Storage Devices
        • Memory (RAM / ROM)
      • Binary Lessons >
        • Units of Data
        • Binary Representation
        • Binary Representation of Images
        • Binary Representation of Characters
        • Binary Representation of Sound
        • Binary Representation of Instructions
        • Binary Addition
        • Hexadecimal
      • Software >
        • Operating System
        • Types of Software
        • Utility Software
      • Programming >
        • Flowcharts
    • Game Design
    • App Creation
    • Digital Literacy >
      • Social Media (Good or Bad thing?)
      • Cyberbullying
      • Staying Safe Online
    • ICT Strand >
      • Spreadsheet Modelling
      • Superhero Movie Trailer
      • PowerPoint Task
      • Paint 3D Tutorial
    • Programming Lessons >
      • Microbit >
        • Magic 8 Ball
        • Harry Potter Sorting Hat
        • Music
        • Music (Festive)
        • Quick Start Guide
        • Microbit Simulator
      • TouchDevelop >
        • TouchDevelop Challenge
        • Scheme of Work
        • TouchDevelop Lessons >
          • 8 bit challenge
          • Turing Test
          • Turtle Power
          • 8 Ball
          • Under the hood
        • Tutorials
      • Raspberry Pi >
        • Networking the Pi
        • Minecraft Pi
        • Harry Potter Sorting Hat >
          • Harry Potter Sorting Hat (GPIO)
        • Raspberry Pi LTSP (Networked Classroom)
        • Astro Pi
      • Scratch
      • Python >
        • Chatbot
        • Coding Golf
        • Magic 8 ball
        • Python Mad Libs
        • Shakespearean Insult Generator >
          • Shakespearean Insult Generator Part 2
        • Sorting Hat
      • Little Man Computer
      • Hour of Code >
        • HoC 8-Bit Challenge
  • 21 Things
  • Microbit
    • Physical Computing >
      • micro:bit LEDs
  • About
  • Blog
Search by typing & pressing enter

YOUR CART

30/4/2014

Teaching Computer Science: Day 20 - Sitting on the shelf!

Teaching Computer Science - Day 20: Sitting on the shelf.

Over the last couple of lessons, I have been covering with my students the topic of Software. For this unit, students are expected to know about operating systems, utility programs and application software. In this final lesson on software, I explored custom written, off the shelf, open source and proprietary software.


Learning Objectives:

  • Discuss the relative merits of custom written, off the shelf, open source and proprietary software


Lesson 1: Theory (Types of Software)

Suggested time: 50 mins


Starter 

I started by showing students a video by Stephen Fry in which he talks about free software.
Main:

I explained to students that the software in the previous clip is referred to as open source software and that this is just one of several ways in which we can source software. I explained that some software, such as open source, is free and that some software can be changed to suit the users needs. I also explained that if a piece of software doesn’t already exist, we can pay to have it custom built specifically for our needs.

I gave students a list of links (see below) and asked them to create some revision notes on the following different types of software:

  • Custom built
  • Off the shelf
  • Open source
  • Proprietary software

I also explained that, in their notes, I wanted the students to compare custom built to off the shelf software and open source vs. proprietary software.

Once students had compiled their notes, I asked them to attempt the following exam question:

Q.1. Karen wants to use handheld computers to take customers’ orders in her restaurant. She is thinking of using custom written, open source software.

1.    State what is meant by custom written software. (1 mark)

2.    State two reasons why Karen may decide to use custom written software. (2 marks)

3.    Discuss the implications of creating open source software for the restaurant. (6 marks) *

* The quality of written communication will be assessed in your answer to this question.

Answers:
question_1_answers.pdf
File Size: 50 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Plenary:

I displayed the sample exam question on the board and picked students at random to go through the possible answers. To ensure that everyone was engaged, I used the Pose, Pause, Pounce and Bounce questioning strategy:

Example: 

Pose a question to the whole class e.g. Explain what is meant by custom written software. 

Pause to give students time to digest the question and think of their answer. If the students are engaged, try holding the pause for a little while longer to build up the tension.

Pounce: Quickly, select a student to answer the question. i.e. Insist the answer to the question comes from student A and possibly student B, directly and fast! Obviously, plan in your mind who you are going to direct the questions to before hand.

Bounce the question or student's response on to another student (immediately after the pounce). e.g. Ask them if they agree with the students previous answer and to explain why.

For more information about the Pose, Pause, Pounce and Bounce technique, visit: @teachertoolkit - http://teachertoolkit.me/2013/01/04/pppb-version2/ 


Resources:

Stephen Fry talks about free software - In this video, Stephen Fry talks about open source software

What is Open Source? - This introductory video explains what open source software actually is, why it matters, and throws in a bit of history as well.

Types of Software PowerPoint - Click on Software, followed by Lesson 3 – Types of Software

Teach-ICT (Types of Software)

Lesson 2: Test

Suggested time: 50 mins

Main:

I issued each student with a test covering the topics in unit 2.1.3 (Software) of the OCR GCSE specification. The test is based on sample assessment material and past exam papers released by OCR. (Click on link below)
software_test.pdf
File Size: 76 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Plenary:

I asked students to swap papers and went through the answers. I also explained to students the model answers using the marking criteria (See below)
software_test_marks.pdf
File Size: 98 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

29/4/2014

Teaching Computer Science: Day 19 - Utility Software

In this week’s lesson, I continued the theme on software and introduced students to the next topic - Utility programs.

Learning Objectives:

  • Describe the purpose and use of common utility programs for computer security (antivirus, spyware protection and firewalls), disk organisation (formatting, file transfer, and defragmentation), and system maintenance (system information and diagnosis, system cleanup tools, automatic updating)

Lesson 1 & 2: Theory (Utility software)

Suggested time: 100 mins

This week, I decided to take on a different approach. Instead of the usual teacher led lesson, I thought I would encourage my students to de a bit of self-study. To facilitate this, I used the resources freely available on the Cambridge GCSE Computing website.


Task 1:

I directed the students to the Cambridge Computing website http://www.cambridgegcsecomputing.org/software-main#top and instructed them to watch the videos on the three different types of utility software and to complete the quiz at the end of each section. After completing all three sections, I asked students to make notes on each of the three types of utility software.


Task 2:

Once students had finished making their notes on each of the three types of utility software, I directed them to Moovly.com and asked them to watch the introductory video. If you haven’t use Moovly before, Moovly is a powerful web 2.0 tool for creating animated presentations. Moovly is free to use and enables you to create stunning animated videos that you can share online.

After watching the introductory video, I instructed the students to create an animated presentation, for the class revision wiki, on the three types of utility software. I also explained that they would be presenting their Moovly to the rest of the class at the end of the lesson. (See example below)


Plenary:

Once everyone had finished and checked their Moovly presentations for errors etc., I asked each group to present one of their topics to the rest of the class. I used a random name selector (see blog post) to choose each group and topic at random so that we covered each topic at least once.


Homework:

I instructed students to upload their Moovly presentations to their revision wikis.


Resources:

Utility Software PowerPoint - http://www.pwnict.co.uk/computingGCSE/computingResources.html (Click on Software, followed by Lesson 2 – Utility Software)

OCR - http://www.cambridgegcsecomputing.org/software-main#top

Teach-ICT - http://www.teach-ict.com/gcse_computing/ocr/213_software/utilities/miniweb/index.htm

Moovly User Guide - http://www.moovly.com/uploads/faq/moovly_user_guide.pdf 

24/4/2014

GCSE Theory Resources

You have probably noticed that it has gone a little quiet of late on my Computing Blog. This is mainly due to the fact that my students are currently completing their first controlled assessment task and therefore there is not much to report. However, in the meantime, here is a collection of resources I have collated to help you teach the Computing theory element at GCSE level.


Programming

Card trick - Simple card trick (Courtesy of Mark Dorling - Digital School House) to teach Algorithms. The purpose of the card trick is to teach pupils about sequencing and modelling a sequence of instructions.

Teach-ICT (Algorithms) - Resources to support the teaching of Programming theory at GCSE level.
Cambridge GCSE Computing (Programming) - This topic will test the learners' understanding of fundamental programming concepts which are common to most imperative languages. 


Computing Hardware

General

How computers work - Activity, courtesy of CS Unplugged, which provides students a basic understanding of how computers work by having them act out a simple computer simulation.

Your PC, inside and out: Part 1 - (Free download courtesy of makeuseof.com)

In this guide Lachlan Roy breaks the computer down into its different components. For each component he describes its function, talks about best brands on the market, explains the different specifications to look out for and provides a bit of history, too. Part 1 focusses on the motherboard.

Your PC, inside and out: Part 2 - (Free download courtesy of makeuseof.com)

Part 2 highlights everything you need to know about CPUs, storage devices, memory, graphics cards and other computer components.

Memory

How many bytes in a Megabyte - Why is one kilobyte equal to 1024 bytes and not 1000 bytes? This article explains why.

How stuff works - Computer memory - How stuff works article on how memory works (also contains several related articles and quizzes)

The difference between RAM and ROM – Part A (Cambridge GCSE Computing Online)

The difference between RAM and ROM – Part B (Cambridge GCSE Computing Online)

GCSE Computing.net – Memory

Teach-ICT – Memory

PWN ICT (Click on Hardware and then Memory)

Storage devices

Storage devices top trumps - Lesson on storage devices using the classic game - top trumps.

RI Christmas Lecture 2008, Lecture 3: The Ghost in the machine, part 2 - Explanation of how a hard disk works –  Fast forward to 12 min 30 sec. 

How a CD works - Video explaining how a optical devices work.

How a hard disk works - Animation showing how a hard disk works.

CPU

Fetch Execute Cycle - Animation explaining the Fetch Execute Cycle.

CPU DART Activity - For those new to DART (Directed Activity related to Text), this activity is designed to support literacy. It focuses on the strategies of skimming, scanning and gap fill. The purpose of this DART activity is to give the students a brief overview of the main features of the CPU.

Mr. Clarkson talks about… The CPU - Video from a Computing at School Master Teacher explaining all about the CPU.

Teach-ICT – CPU

PWN ICT (Click on Hardware and then CPU)

Binary Logic

All very logical - Interactive activity on logic gates courtesy of the Royal Institute.

Logic gates using toys - Youtube video demonstrating how you can use every day items such as dominoes and marbles to teach logic gates.


Representing Data

Units of Data

Units of Data Measurement (60 second Mind Meld) - Bit, Nibble, Byte, Kilobyte etc . . . all explained in face-paced 60 second tutorial.

Teach-ICT - Representing Data

OCR - Representation of data in computer systems

Definitions of units - Cambridge GCSE Computing Online.

Binary to Denary

Counting the dots - A fun and engaging activity from CS Unplugged on Binary numbers. (Supporting video)

Binary Addition and Subtraction

1 + 1 = 10 - Lesson on Binary Addition and Subtraction

CISCO Binary Game

Binary Calculator

Binary Arithmetic Task

Hexadecimal

It's all about Hex! - Lesson on Hexadecimal. Includes Hex to Binary and Hex to Denary conversion.

Hexadecimal to Decimal - Video explaining how to change Hexadecimal to Decimal numbers.

Binary representation of Images

It's a Cracker! - Festive themed lesson explaining how a computer stores images. 

Colour by Numbers - This activity, courtesy of CS Unplugged, explores how images are displayed based on the pixel as a building block.

Binary representation of Characters

Representation of text - Explanation of how characters are represented in a computer system.

Ascii text to Binary converter

Ascii Binary conversion chart

Text to Ascii and Binary converter

Binary representation of Sound

Everything is Sound! - Lesson on how sound is represented and stored on a computer system.

Sound in Binary – Set of resources explaining how sound is stored on a computer including sample audio tracks compressed at different sampling rates. (Click on 2.1.4 representation of data --> Lesson 5 Sound in Binary)

Classzone – Frequency / Amplitude simulator

Binary representation of sound worksheet – Excellent worksheet courtesy of Emma Partridge (via CAS).

Extract from the CHRISTMAS LECTURES 2008: Chris Bishop - The Ghost in the Machine showing how sound is stored on a computer (Skip to 13:40).

Binary representation of Instructions

Following Instructions! - Lesson on how binary can be used to store instructions.

Teach-ICT (Binary representation of Instructions) - Resources to support the teaching of Binary Representation theory at GCSE level.


Software

Operating Systems

All systems operating - Lesson on Operating Systems.

Operating Systems – Introductory video on Operating Systems.

PWNICT: Operating Systems  –  PowerPoint explaining the purpose of the Operating System. (Click on Software, followed by Lesson 1 - OS)

BBC Bytesize (Operating Systems)

Teach-ICT (Operating Systems)

Utility Software 

Cambridge GCSE Computing (Software) - This group of videos, presented by Julie Hodgson, looks at the purpose and use of common utility programs

Teach-ICT (Utility Software)

Types of Software

Stephen Fry talks about free software - Video in which Stephen Fry talks about open source software.

Teach-ICT (Types of Software)


Computer Communications and Networking

Network Simulator - This great online flash based simulator allows students to create their own network without having to tear-apart your schools network!

Teach-ICT (Networks) - Resources to support the teaching of Network theory at GCSE level.


Database Theory

Teach-ICT (Database Concepts) - Resources to support the teaching of Database theory at GCSE level.

Cambridge GCSE Computing (Databases) - Resources to support the teaching of the Database theory element of the OCR GCSE Computing specification.


General

Books

GCSE Computing -  This excellent textbooks by Susan Robson are endorsed by OCR & AQA and cover the full specification for both GCSE Computing theory unit.

OCR Computing for GCSE - Written by examiners and experienced teachers, this book covers the theory unit swell as the two controlled assessment units for OCR specification.

Useful Websites

Teach-ICT (Computing) - Resources to support the teaching of Computing theory at GCSE level.

GCSEComputing.net - Set of excellent teacher notes to support the delivery of both the OCR and AQA theory elements. 

Computing At School (CAS) Online - Online community dedicated to teaching Programming / Computer Science in school. Contains a wealth of resources including Schemes of Work, Tutorials and discussions on best practice.

Computer Science Unplugged - CS Unplugged is a collection of free learning activities that teach Computer Science through engaging games and puzzles that use cards, string, crayons and lots of running around.    

    Author 

    Simon Johnson​

    Picture
    Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert / MIE Trainer
    Picture
    ​Minecraft Cert. Educator / Global Mentor
    Picture
    ​CAS Master Teacher
    Picture
    ​Raspberry Pi Cert. Educator
    Picture
    ​Tickle Ambassador

    Archives

    June 2017
    March 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    November 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013

    Categories

    All Algorithms Cpu Fundamentals Hardware Input & Output Memory OCR A451 Software Storage

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.