KS3 Computing Week 8

The final week of the course is devoted to programming. An easy-to-use interface is introduced to develop more visually appealing programs with buttons and menus. More strategies for teaching programming in a differentiated way are explored. We will additionally use the BBC micro:bit to demonstrate more variety in teaching Computing to KS3.

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Programming with EasyGui

Easygui– zipped file to copy into the same folder as your Python programs and then unzip.
Python Activity Week 8
Starter program for week 8
Image of bananas

Programming with the BBC micro:bit

Today we will use Alex Hadwen-Bennett’s resources: Micro_bit SoW for Micro Python using MicroPython and Mu

Mu is available on the KCL machines, but you can download it at home here.
Alternatively you can use MicroPython via the Python editor at http:/microbit.org
Starter program for the micro:bit exercises

Other resources for KS3

Here is a small selection of resources that you might want to try to support teaching Computing at KS3 – in addition to the HUGE number of teacher shared resources at http://community.computingatschool.org.uk

Programming

Code Combat – a game-like environment for learning Python using challenges
Repl.it – an onine environment for Python 3 (and other languages) where you can set up a classroom for your students and share resources
Trinket.io – another online environment for Python and other languages
Codio – another online environment for Python with some useful tutorials for teachers and students and some great assessment features (Codio is free for teachers who are CAS members)
Microsoft MakeCode resources – Microbit resources using Block-based programming and Javascript (dual-modality)
App Lab and Hour of Code (part of Code.org) – App Lab may be a little bit too advanced but worth looking at it (another dual-modality environment)