Directory of Programs and Websites to Support the New Curriculum for Computing 2014.
Draft NC14 strand
Decoded by Simon Haughton
Program/website/Idea
Some lessons on 'control' - about half a
term's work on programming a turtle
(e.g. a Bee-Bot or Pro-Bot) around: a
floor mat, a sheet of paper on which to
draw patterns/shapes and on-screen
(such as using the Bee-Bot app or Focus
on Bee-Bot software);
1 Sandwich Bot Students begin to understand how algorithms work by
creating sandwiches and the teacher is a sandwich bot.
DASP expert
child/student/adult
Key Stage 1
1. Understand what
algorithms are, how
they are
implemented as
programs on digital
devices, and that
programs execute by
following a sequence
of instructions.
2. Write and test
simple programs
See above
3. Use logical
reasoning to predict
the behaviour of
simple programs.
See above
1,2 Blind Navigation - Blindfold a student and ask pupils to create
instructions to move around the room.
1 Pack of cards (digit cards would be good, or just a set with random
numbers on) - Lots of opportunities for getting pupils to think
creatively about algorithmic solutions. cards with the smallest
difference? Competitive group work - Which table can find the
smallest number? Which table can put the cards in order fastest?
Which table can find the two. From here to working on lists in Scratch
is a big, but not insurmountable step.
1 Lego Models (or other construction toys) Teach students to follow
a series of instructions.
1,2,3 BeeBots or beebot ipod app.
1,2,3 2go (from 2Simple, or 'Purple Mash')
 In pairs, one describes how to draw a shape or letter from a
card or whiteboard, partner follows instructions and compares
 Getting from A to B - use the backgrounds to plot a route
Turn on the extra features (Ctrl, Shift + O) to allow programming of
sequences for more able - plan the whole route before trying.
1,2,3 '2 Control' NXT
1

NXT Robot - build your own courses to navigate using the
onscreen lego blocks
1,2,3 Logo - Move onto written commands (and sequences) using
Logo language.
1,2,3 Flobot Sherston software, get Flobot dancing
1,2,3 Scratchel - New problem solving approach to introduce students
to computer programming through MIT Scratch with Funky robots.
New problems ranging in difficulty added each week
Pixies - programmable floor robots - more controls than beebots,
easier than roamers
Lego Weedo - build model following instructions and then program to
move (software with easy instructions)
Textease turtle, Roamer For resources:
http://www.kenttrustweb.org.uk/kentict/kentict_ct_roam_index.cfm
IPAD apps
1,2 Daisy dino free ipad app, programming basics.
1,2,3 Cargobot (ipad) simple commands
Charlie chimp’s modelling party; Cato’s hike; ALEX (Ipad apps)
3. Computer games. playing a computer game is about figuring out
how it will respond to what you do - reverse engineering some aspects
of its algorithm. Start simple, get harder.
4. Organise, store,
manipulate and
retrieve data in a
Lots of lessons on presenting
information in different forms of media
Most application software - Using most programs involves retrieving
data, manipulating it and then storing it. Open files in a text or hex
editor to see how the program stores its data.
2
range of digital
formats
using different programs/apps painting images, capturing
photographs/videos, basic word
processing, making a simple e-book
etc.
The Magic Cloud (paid) - Simple Pc software, lets children choose
what happens if their object is placed on a cloud cushion (usb). Intro
to computing and 'what if' possibilities.
Media trials - Bring in a USB stick, CD-RW, DVD-RW, access to
cloud storage (E.g. Google Drive) and an external hard drive. Then
conduct an experiment to store a small file or picture. Ask children
which is the easiest to do, how they can share the files with each other,
how fast it is and how breakable each device is. Also do a Maths
lesson with MB, GB and TB. Show them how much each drive can
store. Perhaps with bricks or sand to show relative sizes.
Paper data cards - Get children to fill in a data card with series of
fields. Create block graph so children can see answers to other
questions. Manually sort cards in various ways then show how this
looks on computer using software eg 2Investigate.
Giant branching tree created on carpet using paper and items
eg sports equipment/toy animals. As above - manually get children to
find a question with yes/no answer to sort objects - create giant
branching tree on carpet using strips of paper, YES/NO cards.
Children manually move objects past questions along the correct
branches. Then show how this looks on computer
Use school photocopiers, digital cameras etc
5. Communicate
safely and
respectfully online,
keeping personal
information private,
An e-safety lesson or two (including
labelling pictures of
technology/communication devices
used in the home).
Safer internet day - range of resources on
http://www.saferinternetday.org/web/guest/sid-2013
3
and recognise
common uses of
information
technology beyond
school.
A few lessons on Internet research
using Infant Encyclopaedia or similar.
4
Draft NC14 strand
Decoded by Simon Haughton
Program/website
With KS2, I would interpret the
requirements into the following lessons:
Scratch - Free download. Use basic programming
skills to create games, animations and more. Start with
the scratch cards and check Simon Haughton’s
blog for more ideas.
DASP expert
child/student/adult
Key Stage 2
1. Design and write
programs that
accomplish
specific goals,
including
controlling or
simulating physical
systems; solve
problems by
decomposing them
into smaller parts.
a unit of work on LOGO programming repeating commands to draw shapes,
calling procedures in a program (e.g. a
'leaf' procedure in a program to draw a
plant);
1.
2.
a few lessons on good Internet
research skills - possibly just
one per year with chance to
apply skills in other subjects;
a lesson at the start of each year
on computer rules (e.g. take
regular breaks, don't put drinks
near computers, hold tablets
with two hands, tap keys gently
etc.);
As you can see, I am fairly impressed
with the proposed curriculum since I
teach all of it already and so few
changes will be required to my
planning! I also particularly like the
specific requirements to teach e-safety
which although aren't a statutory
requirement in the current curriculum,
Scratchel - New problem solving approach to
introduce students to computer programming through
MIT Scratch with Funky robots. New problems
ranging in difficulty added each week
Kodu - free resource to create and play your own
games. Easy to follow tutorials, needs downloading.
Sketchup -Teach students to design 3D graphics.
Resources available here. Can also be used to show
how students can collaborate via the Sketchup
Warehouse.
Computercraft Mod with MinecraftEdu - Use the
computercraft mod with Minecraftedu (or vanilla
Minecraft) to add programmable computers, turtles
etc. Using the language Lua pupils can quickly learn
basic programming concepts such as if, while, for and
many other concepts in an engaging scenario.
Robomind - By programming a robot, students learn
about logic, computer science and robotics.Starlogo alternative to scratch
5
are inspected by Ofsted!
Literally the only 'issues' that I have
with the requirements are:
1.
2.
3.
Children in KS1 are asked to
manipulate 'data' - this term
means numbers or words which
have no meaning to a human. In
my opinion, it should be
followed by the phrase 'and
information' (like the KS2
requirements state) as
information is data which has
been placed into a context (i.e.
creating a purposeful piece of
work like most teachers would
ask children to do anyway).
The word 'Internet' is actually a
proper noun and needs a capital
letter to start it.
There is no mention of the word
'Internet' in KS1 - it would be
nice if it could be included
somehow.
Msw logo - free logo program.
APPInventor - Create Apps for android phones. This
tool from MIT builds on Scratch building blocks and
takes children into more advanced coding. It has a
design mode, blocks editor and emulator (although
you can test your apps directly on your android smart
phone by reading the QR code and downloading your
creation.) also Appshed
Turtle Art - Like other Logo tools but uses similar
block building structure to scratch. A nice tool to lead
children into scratch and build on Logo / Kids Ruby
capability.
http://llk.media.mit.edu/courses/software/turtleart/
Activities/Cards:
http://llk.media.mit.edu/courses/readings/TurtleArt.pdf
Probots fabulous robots at a more advanced level than
bee-bots, but the same family! use repeats as well as
more specific commands to complete missions
http://www.ttsgroup.co.uk/shops/tts/Range.aspx?search=probot
Crystal ICT great program from Sherston allowing
children to program in LOGO to solve problems.
Big Trak truck £28 Teach sequences of instructions to
navigate obstacle courses.
Philip Harris. Data logging. Different input & output
sensors.
6
CoCo Control. Both onscreen simulation & physical
devices program input sensors to effect out motors
Lightbot
Puzzle games on Hodda Maths site
Python - raspberry pi lots of basic intro to python on
R-Pi on the net, also contact @nightzookeeper &
@oliverquinlan @mberry
2. Use sequence,
selection, and
repetition in
programs; work
with variables and
various forms of
input and output;
generate
appropriate inputs
and predicted
outputs to test
programs.
A unit of work on game making in
Scratch in which the children make onscreen objects respond to user inputs
(e.g. drive a car around an on-screen
track in a racing game);
Scratch - Free download. Use basic programming
skills to create games, animations and more. Start with
the scratch cards and check Simon Haughton’s
blog for more ideas.
Scratchel - New problem solving approach to
introduce students to computer programming through
MIT Scratch with Funky robots. New problems
ranging in difficulty added each week
Kodu - free resource to create and play your own
games. Easy to follow tutorials, needs downloading.
Computercraft Mod with MinecraftEdu - Use the
computercraft mod with Minecraftedu (or vanilla
Minecraft) to add programmable computers, turtles
etc. Using the language Lua pupils can quickly learn
basic programming concepts such as if, while, for and
many other concepts in an engaging scenario.
Robomind - By programming a robot, students learn
about logic, computer science and robotics.Starlogo alternative to scratch
7
Msw logo - free logo program.
APPInventor - Create Apps for android phones. This
tool from MIT builds on Scratch building blocks and
takes children into more advanced coding. It has a
design mode, blocks editor and emulator (although
you can test your apps directly on your android smart
phone by reading the QR code and downloading your
creation.) also Appshed
Turtle Art - Like other Logo tools but uses similar
block building structure to scratch. A nice tool to lead
children into scratch and build on Logo / Kids Ruby
capability.
http://llk.media.mit.edu/courses/software/turtleart/
Activities/Cards:
http://llk.media.mit.edu/courses/readings/TurtleArt.pdf
Probots fabulous robots at a more advanced level than
bee-bots, but the same family! use repeats as well as
more specific commands to complete missions
http://www.ttsgroup.co.uk/shops/tts/Range.aspx?search=probot
Crystal ICT great program from Sherston allowing
children to program in LOGO to solve problems.
Big Trak truck £28 Teach sequences of instructions to
navigate obstacle courses.
Codea Real textual coding on the iPad, which created
8
the Cargo bots.
Wacker Art Fractal Generator or the slower, but
prettier Java Fractal Generators (Both require Java, but
there are iPad apps available) Generate fractals.
Students can directly see the results of the variables
that they input and look for patterns to see how the
maths repeats to generate these beautiful pictures.
Philip Harris. Data logging. Different input & output
sensors.
CoCo Control. Both onscreen simulation & physical
devices program input sensors to effect out motors
Lightbot
Puzzle games on Hodda Maths site
3. Use logical
reasoning to
explain how a
simple algorithm
works and to detect
and correct errors
in algorithms and
programs.
Explain how an algorithm works.
Computer Science Unplugged A whole scheme of
work to teach computing without computers. Suitable
for ks2-3.
Computational thinking games Online games to help
pupils understand how decomposition, patterns,
abstraction & algorithms work.
Scratch - Free download. Use basic programming
skills to create games, animations and more. Start with
the scratch cards and check Simon Haughton’s
blog for more ideas.
Scratchel - New problem solving approach to
introduce students to computer programming through
MIT Scratch with Funky robots. New problems
9
ranging in difficulty added each week
Computercraft Mod with MinecraftEdu - Use the
computercraft mod with Minecraftedu (or vanilla
Minecraft) to add programmable computers, turtles
etc. Using the language Lua pupils can quickly learn
basic programming concepts such as if, while, for and
many other concepts in an engaging scenario.
Robomind - By programming a robot, students learn
about logic, computer science and robotics.Starlogo alternative to scratch
Msw logo - free logo program.
APPInventor - Create Apps for android phones. This
tool from MIT builds on Scratch building blocks and
takes children into more advanced coding. It has a
design mode, blocks editor and emulator (although
you can test your apps directly on your android smart
phone by reading the QR code and downloading your
creation.) also Appshed
Turtle Art - Like other Logo tools but uses similar
block building structure to scratch. A nice tool to lead
children into scratch and build on Logo / Kids Ruby
capability.
http://llk.media.mit.edu/courses/software/turtleart/
Activities/Cards:
http://llk.media.mit.edu/courses/readings/TurtleArt.pdf
Probots fabulous robots at a more advanced level than
bee-bots, but the same family! use repeats as well as
10
more specific commands to complete missions
http://www.ttsgroup.co.uk/shops/tts/Range.aspx?search=probot
Crystal ICT great program from Sherston allowing
children to program in LOGO to solve problems.
Big Trak truck £28 Teach sequences of instructions to
navigate obstacle courses.
Ipad - Codea Real textual coding on the iPad, which
created the Cargo bots.
4. Understand
computer networks
including the
internet; how they
can provide
multiple services,
such as the worldwide web; and the
opportunities they
offer for
communication
and collaboration.
Email/skype
Edmodo - free resource to introduce safe and easy
networking for children
M Hackasarusozilla Use basic coding skills to mash
up existing web pages. Easy to follow site that walks
you through your hack.
Mozilla Thimble Create web pages whilst learning
basic principles of
code.
Sketchup -Teach students to design 3D graphics.
Resources available here. Can also be used to show
how students can collaborate via the Sketchup
Warehouse.
Draw my school network (Google Drawings,
Gliffy or pen and paper.) Students take a tour of the
11
school to see how all the computers are connected.
Complete lesson kit here:
https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0BtNSVgcXSshbGk1RGx3ZjV0Y3M&usp=sharing
Packetville -Show students how a network works and
how data flows around the Internet. Lots of fun with
cartoon games, but note that this is a CISCO branded
activity
Digital Revolution Excellent BBC series exploring the
Internet and the Web. The first two episodes are
available online, but the interviews which make up the
programme are also available for download Get
children to make their own ‘Understanding the
Internet’ programme?
Tubes, behind the scenes at the Internet Blum’s
accessible introduction to the hardware of the web.
Host your own blogs.
(Instructions for LAMP and Wordpress on Ubuntu)
Find an old computer (or build a new one). Install
Linux. Install Apache. Tada. One webserver ready to
go.
Install MySQL, PHP and Wordpress, and host your
own blogs. Open up port 80 on your router, point it to
the new box and get to these from anywhere on the
Internet.
Scratch - Free download. Use basic programming
skills to create games, animations and more. Start with
12
the scratch cards and check Simon Haughton’s
blog for more ideas.
Scratchel - New problem solving approach to
introduce students to computer programming through
MIT Scratch with Funky robots. New problems
ranging in difficulty added each week
Minecraft/Minecraft edu - Encourage children to set
up their own Servers on Minecraft and then ask them
what is the difference between a server on their local
network and one on the Internet. (Should be faster)
This can be done on PCs, iPads, Raspberry Pis etc.
Welcome to the Web Great site from Mark Warner
@markw29 of Teaching Ideas fame By working your way
through the web site and taking part in the challenges and
activities, you will learn all about the Internet.
5. Describe how
internet search
engines find and
store data; use
search engines
effectively; be
discerning in
evaluating digital
content; respect
individuals and
intellectual
property;
use technology
responsibly,
securely and
A lesson on the benefits of using the
Internet - possibly creating a mind-map
showing the different services it offers
like: e-mail, the WWW and online
broadcasting;
Some lessons on e-safety to teach
children how to: keep accounts secure
(i.e. use strong passwords), only access
child-friendly sites and respond safely
to online hazards;
Horrible histories films
Internet safety week: lots of ideas for an internet
safety week with lessons for children
http://technowellies.wordpress.com/internet-safety-week/
The Manual search engine (Dictionary Search) 1.
Ask students to do a manual search for a word.
2. They then look it up in a dictionary.
3. Use a dictionary program or Spreadsheet to show
how a computer finds it.
4. Tell pupils that Google uses something called
Pagerank, which finds all the results and then sorts
them by popularity. So a search for Dinosaur would
give you the most popular page.
13
safely.
Mozilla Popcorn
M Hackasarusozilla Use basic coding skills to mash
up existing web pages. Easy to follow site that walks
you through your hack.
Mozilla Thimble Create web pages whilst learning
basic principles of code.
Give Us a Clue -Choose a busy picture with children
in it. Ask the children what they can tell about the
children from the picture. Once they have established
what can be found out, ask them to think about
pictures they have online and how they could be
giving away their personal identities. Encourage them
to establish rules for what they post online.
School search - Ask the students to search for their
school in Google. Do these results show the teacher or
school in a good light? What should be done to make
sure that the wrong things do not appear online? How
should children be very careful? (Please check
searches in advance to avoid embarrassment)
‘Where the Internet lives - Beautiful photos of
Google’s data centres. Find the stormtrooper!
Welcome to the Web Great site from Mark Warner
@markw29 of Teaching Ideas fame By working your
way through the web site and taking part in the
challenges and activities, you will learn all about the
14
Internet.
Infographics range of ideas and resource at
http://bit.ly/infographicSOW
to help teachers use infographics. You can use them
to teach presentation skills, research and facts,
citation and interpretation all at the same time 9+.
6. Select, use and
combine a variety
of software
(including internet
services) on a
range of digital
devices to
accomplish given
goals, including
collecting,
analysing,
evaluating and
presenting data and
information.
Lots of lessons on using different
software applications for presenting and
analysing information and data - this is a
vast area but gives me lots of freedom in
what I teach when to different year
groups (e.g. I like to leave spreadsheets
and formulae until upper KS2).
Mozilla Popcorn
Sketchup -Teach students to design 3D graphics.
Resources available here. Can also be used to show
how students can collaborate via the Sketchup
Warehouse.
M Hackasarusozilla Use basic coding skills to mash
up existing web pages. Easy to follow site that walks
you through your hack.
Mozilla Thimble Create web pages whilst learning
basic principles of code.
Blogging - Twitter quad blogging 100 word challenge.
KidBlog
Google apps for education
Python - raspberry pi lots of basic intro to python on
R-Pi on the net, also contact @nightzookeeper &
@oliverquinlan @mberry
Infographics range of ideas and resource at
15
http://bit.ly/infographicSOW
to help teachers use infographics. You can use them to
teach presentation skills, research and facts, citation
and interpretation all at the same time 9+.
16
Draft NC14 strand
Decoded
Program/website/Idea
DASP expert child/student/adult
Investigate computer
simulations.
Boardworks PowerPoint resources – new computing
version
Penny has older version, suggested we
buy a DASP copy of new one?
Key Stage 3
1. Design, use and
evaluate
computational
abstractions that
model the state and
behaviour of realworld problems and
physical systems
Computational Thinking Taskforce A number of resources
looking at how Computational Thinking can be used as a
Problem Solving tool in every classroom (not just
Computing and ICT)
Lightbot online AI (Artificial Intelligence) control robot.
Hodda Maths Puzzles Thinking skills
Flowol
2. Understand at least
two key algorithms
for each of sorting
and searching; use
logical reasoning to
evaluate the
performance tradeoffs of using
alternative
algorithms to solve
the same problem
Be able to explain what is
happening during a given
sort/search.
Databases Arrays, programming, Access for searching and
sorting.
3. Use two or more
programming
languages, one of
Visual Programming
language and
Codecademy - lots of free languages
KidsRuby Can do turtle style graphics as a way in to the
17
which is textual, each
used to solve a variety
of computational
problems; use data
structures such as
tables or arrays; use
procedures to write
modular programs;
for each procedure, be
able to explain how it
works and how to test
it
Ruby language.
Text based Programming
language
Codeavengers html5, javascript, level 1 free
Raspberry Pi - Sonic Pi
Sonic Pi Scheme of Work - introduce programming
concepts by creating music (uses ruby but can be adapted
for python)
http://sanitysewer.com/preschoolhacker/index.html
Logo, Scratch graphical
HTML web design in notepad
.
Kodu - free resource to create and play your own games.
Easy to follow tutorials, needs downloading.graphical Y78
Free MS
Code-it.co.uk scratch based.
Ipad app
Codea
4. Understand simple
Boolean logic (such
as AND, OR and
NOT) and its use in
determining which
parts of a program are
executed; use
Boolean logic and
wildcards in search
or database queries;
appreciate how search
Boolean logic
Introduction to Binary and Binary Logic
Search engine
optimisation
Databases - Access
18
engine results are
selected and ranked
5. Understand the
hardware and
software components
that make up
networked computer
systems, how they
interact, and how they
affect cost and
performance.
Networking hardware and
software.
6. Explain how networks
such as the internet
work; understand how
computers can
monitor and control
physical systems
How does the internet
work?
Remote control Monitor and control, Flowol,
Mindstorms Control insight data logging?
How do computers control
physical systems e.g.
traffic flow
7. Explain how
instructions are stored
and executed within a
computer system
8. Explain how data of
various types can be
represented and
manipulated in the
form of binary digits
including numbers,
Networks old PCs
Bootup - what happens when you switch a PC on?
Bitmap images Hex codes/ word html/Notepad – use excel?
Binary
Computer Science Unplugged
Website g non spec A whole scheme of work to teach
computing without computers. Suitable for KS2 too
Introduction to Binary and Binary Logic
19
text, sounds and
pictures, and be able
to carry out some
such manipulations by
hand
Raspberry Pi - Sonic Pi
Sonic Pi Scheme of Work - introduce programming
concepts by creating music (uses ruby but can be adapted
for python)
http://sanitysewer.com/preschoolhacker/index.html
Makey Makey
http://web.media.mit.edu/~ericr/makeymakey/ turn everyday
objects into touchpads e.g. banana
9. Undertake creative
projects that involve
selecting, using, and
combining multiple
applications,
preferably across a
range of devices, to
achieve challenging
goals, including
collecting and
analysing data and
meeting the needs of
known users
Project.
10. Create, reuse, revise
and repurpose digital
information and
content with attention
to design, intellectual
property and
audience.
Intellectual Property,
fitness for purpose
Dragons Den - Pitch idea/charity. Pick program
appropriate. PPT filming/ dig cams/print t shirts/market
research/Y8 project. Sell product at school fair.
20
21