Resources to support a practical activity where students dismantle desktop units and identify the computer hardware components within (allow one hour). You will need enough desktop computers (and screwdrivers) so that ideally students are working in groups no larger than four. You will need to label six components inside the computers (A to F), beforehand. This resource includes a short presentation to introduce the task, a worksheet sheet for students to complete, and some extension activities for those who finish first. Computers must NOT be connected to the mains power supply under any circumstances! By using this resource you accept that it is wholly your responsibility to ensure the activity is run safely, and you do so entirely at your own risk.

Title: Scratch Starter – Platform Game Activity Level: KS3 (Y7-Y9) Duration: 10-15 Minutes Application required: Scratch 2 In this fun starter activity students simply have to put blocks together in the correct order to create a basic platform game. As an extension, students can add their own improvements to the game, turning this starter into an extended activity. Two Scratch files are supplied - one for the students, and one with the completed activity. Please leave positive feedback on TES if you enjoyed using this resource.

Simple drag-and-drop starter activity to familiarise students with programming terminology relating to Scratch. #scratch #starter #programming #coding

Scratch Game Planner - A game planning document to help your students create a multi-level game in Scratch. #scratch #game #planner #programming #coding

This free resource consists of two PowerPoint presentations; one for the teacher and the other for students. There are three student activities relating to programming constructs (sequence, selection and iteration), developing flowcharts, and identifying programming constructs in pseudocode. Only the teacher PowerPoint contains the answers. There is also a link to a programming construct quiz (on 101 Computing) which can be used as a plenary, and a Python programming challenge for students who already are some programming experience. Please leave positive feedback if you enjoyed using this resource.

Title: Scratch – Shark Attack! Level: KS3 (Y7-Y9) Duration: 1 – 1.5 hours (allow one or two lessons) Applications: Scratch 2, MS Word, Acrobat Reader Description: An engaging activity for students with some Scratch experience. The tutorial includes as step-by-step worksheet to create a tank of animated sharks, from which students carry on to develop their own 'shark game'. Some completed games are included for inspiration. The tutorial also contains a numeracy element, as students develop an understanding of the x/y coordinates used in Scratch. Please leave positive feedback if your students enjoyed using this resource.

A fun way to introduce the topic of Databases at KS3/KS4 - allow 10-15 minutes. This is a free resource, so if you've enjoyed using it then please leave positive feedback.

This easy-to-use program will allow you to create reports quickly and efficiently. Enter the student’s name, gender, and select from a list of comments - or create your own. Then just click ‘Generate’ and your finished report is automatically copied to the clipboard. For the comments provided, Report Generator will also insert the correct pronoun (He/She, His/Her) for the gender selected. Once you have set up your own comments you can get through a class in minutes! Your comments are retained even after you quit the program. (Runs on Windows 7, 8/8.1 & Windows 10, but not MAC OS).

This KS3 resource includes three engaging Scratch games and a review worksheet - a precursor activity to students designing their own games. Students have to identify what input controls and variables have been used in each game, as well as evaluating the overall effectiveness of the games themselves. Could be used as an extended starter activity or as the basis for a full lesson.

A fantastic KS3 resource for students and teachers who simply want to know... "How do I do that in Scratch?!" Can be used either as the basis for a lesson or as an invaluable reference source for students when they create their own projects. Includes a lazer-firing rocket ship, a mouse-controlled canon, a gliding multi-coloured monster, an exploding alien ship, and much much more! Spark your students imagination by showing them how easy it is to create great effects in Scratch. There is also a worksheet to test your students understanding of each feature. All sounds and graphics used are included in a separate .zip file.

Title: Scratch Starter – Bouncing Ball Activity Level: KS3 (Y7-Y9) Duration: 5 - 10 Minutes Application required: Scratch 2 In this fun starter activity students simply have to put a few blocks together in the correct order to create a collage of bouncing balls. As an extension, add one more block in the correct place to make the balls multi-coloured! Two Scratch files are supplied - one for the students, and one of the completed activity. Please remember to leave positive feedback if you enjoyed using this resource.

Fun PowerPoint starter activity to coincide with Euro 2016. Instructions: Run the presentation and listen to the voice-over. Add the correct animation to each object, and then use the Animation Pane to change timings so they coincide with the commentary. Completed version also included for teacher. Note: Headphones are required for this activity.

Title: PowerPoint – Creating Effective Animations Level: KS2-KS3 (Y6-Y9) Duration: 50 mins – 1 hour Applications: PowerPoint Description: For everyone who wants to see an end to 'Death by PowerPoint!' A fun, interactive tutorial teaching students how to create effective animations in PowerPoint that grab the audience's attention, without looking silly or 'over the top'. Students are required to re-create a series of animations of increasing technical difficulty. There is also a short tutorial on the last slide for students to complete which could be incorporated easily into a lesson plenary.

Title: Scratch – Introduction to Computing using the IF Statement Level: KS3 (Y7-Y9) Duration: 40 mins Applications: PowerPoint, Scratch Description: A fun introduction to programming in Scratch for students of varying ability. Students are introduced to the concept of processes, decision and loops using IF statements to simulate a ball rolling down a hill in Scratch. Whilst the program itself is straightforward, the tutorial is designed to get students thinking about the steps required to solve real-world problems through the development of algorithms/flowcharts, leading to program implementation. There is also a short tutorial on the last slide for students to complete which could be incorporated easily into a lesson plenary.

Title: Scratch – Ultimate Space Game Level: KS3 (Y7-Y9) Duration: 1 – 1.5 hours (allow two lessons) Applications: Scratch 1.4, MS Word Description: A challenging and fun tutorial enabling students to create an exciting arcade-style Space Game using Scratch. All sprites, sounds, and background images are already pre-loaded into the Scratch (.sb) file provided*, allowing students to add scripts to provide functionality. On completion there is a worksheet to assess students’ understanding of the programming techniques involved, by ‘reverse engineering’ the game. The tutorial also contains a numeracy element, as students develop an understanding of the x/y coordinates used in Scratch. Please leave positive feedback if you enjoyed using this resource. *Please note that the Scratch (.sb) file is embedded in the Word document provided because uploads of this file type are unsupported by TES.

A short presentation and starter activity to teach students behaviour expectations in ICT and Computing classes. Starts with some general school rules then introduces those specific to the ICT classroom. Includes a 'spot the hazard' activity, a teacher's pledge to students, and instructions to help them get set up on the school network. Edit to meet your own requirements, and allow about 15-20 minutes. If you enjoyed using this activity then please leave positive feedback.

Title: Computer Hardware Components Level: KS4–KS5 (Y11–Y13) Duration: 50 mins - 1 hour Applications: PowerPoint, Word Materials: Old computer components (e.g. RAM, CPU etc) required for Part 1 of worksheet. Description: A solid introductory lesson to BTEC IT Unit 2: Computer Systems. Includes a presentation with quizzes, a tutorial worksheet (contains answers on page 2), and a lesson plan. Please leave positive feedback if you enjoyed using this resource.

Title: Drawing Tools and Formatting Fun Level: KS2–KS3 (Y6–Y9) Duration: 45 mins - 1 hour Applications: Photoshop, PowerPoint Description: Students learn in a fun way how to use drawing tools etc. in Microsoft Word and how to insert a footer into a word document, by recreating a variety of features from scratch. Handy hints are given in the tutorial to get students started. Teachers; give students a printed copy of the tutorial (in colour) or a copy in PDF format – or simply display it on your projector. DON'T give students a copy in Word format as this would clearly defeat the object of the tutorial!