Incorporate functional skills into the new KS3 Computing curriculum - essential transferable skills for use in other curriculum areas. This is the scheme of work for the spreadsheet unit, with a self-assessment checklist and an end of unit test.

In response to added emphasis on the Component 1 & Component 2 exams, following the NEA decision, I have re-structured my approach in lessons running up to the exams. Attached are two structured lessons which target specific 'question' styles at the beginning of the lessons, with revision of theory (based on OCR guidance - separate powerpoint theory on OCR website) before attempting a) for component 1, a QWC extended question or b) for component b, a writing algorithm questions. Over the coming weeks, as I develop the lessons to focus on areas of weakness shown in mock exams, I will upload further lessons in the hopes they can prepare your students for assessment as well.

Year 7 Summer Term Assessment. Understanding Computers. Differentiated questions on: The computer system, hardware and software. Following a unit where students were introduced to the workings of a computer, and creating a flash animation on the topic, this assessment checks their understanding of the underlying theory.

Introduce students to Year 7 Computing with Kodu. Develop/assess mouse control. Develop/Assess programming skills. Develop/Assess creativity. Bring competition into the class from the outset. A simple challenge to see where the students are at the start of Key Stage 3, and to show them the Computing is fun.

Independent Enquiry - Activity to encourage students to develop confidence in basic programming skills: Purple - Low ability, Blue - Middle Ability, Yellow - Higher ability Possible solution - Python - in text file.

A revision resource developed to revise key terms for the introductory unit of Python with examples from the code students have used in the unit.

Key Stage 3 Computer Science CS1 Understanding Computers Numeracy bridge lesson This lesson bridges the gap between the PA1 Scratch unit and CS1 Understanding Computers unit for Year 7. The lesson focuses on the computer system - Input - Process - Storage Output. The activities are based around the Little Man Computer simulation.

Paired Discussion/Written-based Revisision Activity Discussion Cards for Component 3 - B1 & B2 Cyber Security Peer: Read the card asking the same questions for each key concept: What is it? How is this relevant to business? Why is this relevant to me? Once discussion has taken place, the student then writes a paragraph summarising the discussion. Peer Support: Knowledge Organiser provides overview of topic. Golden Nuggets of key concept theory included in case prompting is needed in the discussion.

Practice for A453 Controlled Assessment. Allocating a job number to a file. Adding record of job to file.

BTEC ICT - Unit 1 Online World Learning Aim B - Data Exchange: Transmission Modes & Methods. Transmission Modes Wired Transmission Method Wireless Transmission Method Cut these ‘Remember This’ facts out. Issue to students in the first lesson of the week (stick into learning journal/homework diary). Students to learn their fact. In the final lesson of the week, at the end of the lesson, students share their fact with peers in a ‘speed dating’ method. Once ‘Remember This’ facts are issued they are then added to the ‘Remember This Wall’ outside the classroom.

Each revision lesson gets the students working independently for the first part of the lesson, followed by a review of the answers. A specific area of Component 1 is then revised, and the lesson concludes with a QWC question. If you have longer lessons, you could add in past exam questions from the A451 syllabus which are related. Independent questions: Topologies, Network Protocols Teacher-led revision (and questions as part of discussion): Network Topologies, Protocols & Layers QWC question: Choice of network topology for a school.

Combining Python skills in the introductory unit. Practice programs prior to student assessment next week. Text file contains a possible solution - copy and paste the code into Python.

Model used for controlled assessments. Used with students midway through OCR 20 Programming Challenges, to get Year 10 students to reflect and focus on the different stages in the Programming Cycle of Assessment and the importance. Class discussion of each stage, followed by students explaining and evidencing each stage. This enables them to work at a higher level and to understand the process required in September.

Introduction to Python workbook. Assessment of prior knowledge introduced via Scratch. Introductory tasks. Workbook used for e-marking, rather than printing out each lesson. Peer and self assessment carried out on computer, then uploaded for teacher marking.

Let’s Do It Activities Designed as lesson starters for component 2 - revision of the different methods for searching and sorting: Defensive design (validation & verification), maintainability (indentation and comments), anticipating misuse and planning for contingencies. Each method is illustrated through worked examples and tips on how to search/sort with three practice questions that students can work on independently. In my lessons, I will have a folder with the solutions in so that students can self-mark once they have completed the activity. To follow shortly: Let’s Do It Activities for Translators & Language Facilitators.

Paired Discussion/Written-based Revisision Activity Discussion Cards for Component 3 A1 Modern Technologies Peer: Read the card asking the same questions for each key concept: What is it? How is this relevant to business? Why is this relevant to me? Once discussion has taken place, the student then writes a paragraph summarising the discussion. Peer Support: Knowledge Organiser provides overview of topic. Golden Nuggets of key concept theory included in case prompting is needed in the discussion.

This worksheet is designed to give students practice converting numbers in denary, binary and hexadecimal conversion. Answer sheet provided showing working.

Final revision session for the GCSE Computing A451 exam. In the Bag - If you know these terms, you are ready for the exam. Class discussion of key terms, and once discussed, animation moves the keyword 'in the bag'. Used to inspire confidence in students, and split up with questions to get the students thinking.

Assessment on both Component 1 & Component 2 - on areas the Year 11 were struggling with. Marks out of 35 Solution and teacher mark grid provided.

Revision session - Focus: Calculation questions Storage capacity Converting between binary, denary and hexadecimal Binary shifts Binary addition Check digit calculations Questions & Solution provided.