Computational Thinking Archives

All about algorithms

Computational Thinking – Alien Contact! – Lesson 6 Objectives To give precise, unambiguous instructions in an algorithm. To detect and correct errors in algorithms. To recognise and apply computational thinking concepts and approaches to solve problems. Lesson Resources Lesson slides Barrier games worksheet Construction blocks of some kind (LEGO, Multilink etc) Computational Thinking – Alien…

Dot, Dash, Dot, Dot / Dot, Dot, Dot, Dot, Dot

Computational Thinking – Alien Contact! – Lesson 5 Objectives To understand that encryption is a way to keep data private. To encode and decode Morse code messages. To recognise and apply computational thinking concepts and approaches to solve problems. Lesson Resources Lesson slides Morse code decoder sheet Computational Thinking – Alien Contact! Lesson 1 – First…

Communicate and Collaborate

Computational Thinking – Alien Contact! – Lesson 4 Objectives To recognise and apply computational thinking concepts and approaches to solve problems. To collaborate and communicate effectively with team members. Lesson Resources Lesson slides Hula hoops or rubber mats Masking tape, chalk or rope Whiteboards and pens / pencils and paper Computational Thinking – Alien Contact!…

Sorting out Spacebook

Computational Thinking – Alien Contact! – Lesson 3 Objectives To use logic and reasoning to evaluate digital content. To understand and explain how to stay safe online. To recognise and apply computational thinking concepts and approaches. Lesson Resources Lesson slides Alien Spacebook cards (Print 1 set per group of approx 5/6 students) Example social media…

Bits and pieces

Computational Thinking – Alien Contact! – Lesson 2 Objectives To understand that binary code can represent many things To explain how images are converted into binary code and vice versa To recognise and apply computational thinking concepts and approaches to solve problems Lesson Resources Lesson slides Class task resource sheets (print 1 copy in colour…

First contact

Computational Thinking – Alien Contact! – Lesson 1 Objectives To understand what computational thinking is To recognise and apply computational thinking concepts and approaches to solve problems Lesson Resources Lesson slides Shape puzzle worksheet (Print and copy, both sheets back to back, 1 per student) Group activity cards (Print and copy each set of 3…

Computational Thinking – Alien Contact!

About this unit An unplugged unit to develop your students into strong computational thinkers by solving a wide range of exciting unplugged problems. Will they be able to solve the problems, earn the trust of an alien species and cement a new galactic friendship?! National Curriculum Links – Computing KS2 The content of this plan…

Investigating machine movement

Objectives Create and debug simple programs Use logical reasoning to predict the behaviour of simple programs Recognise common uses of information technology beyond school Resources Teacher Presentation Recap last week’s lesson and how they made their WeDo birds move. How did we program them? How do you create an algorithm with WeDo? Set their model…

Getting started with WeDo

Objectives Create and debug simple programs Use logical reasoning to predict the behaviour of simple programs Recognise common uses of information technology beyond school Resources Teacher Presentation Lego WeDo is a construction and programming set made by Lego Education. We have WeDo kits available to loan for schools that buy into our ICT for Learning SLA.…

Creating your own robot instructions

Objectives Give precise and unambiguous instructions Create and debug simple programs Use logical reasoning to predict the behaviour of simple programs Resources Teacher Presentation Recap the last lesson where the students were asked to come up with precise instructions to create an algorithm for the robot teacher to make a jam sandwich. What sort of…