Hero image

Nichola Wilkin - Computer Science

Average Rating4.65
(based on 1182 reviews)

High-impact computer science resources that are based on sound educational psychological theories to help all pupils reach their full potential. I’m an experienced teacher/HoD and professionally create computing and computer science teaching resources through my company Nichola Wilkin Ltd. All these resources have been exclusively created by me. I’m an author who has written for both BBC Bitesize and Cambridge University Press. Quality teaching resources you can trust!

216Uploads

917k+Views

1964k+Downloads

High-impact computer science resources that are based on sound educational psychological theories to help all pupils reach their full potential. I’m an experienced teacher/HoD and professionally create computing and computer science teaching resources through my company Nichola Wilkin Ltd. All these resources have been exclusively created by me. I’m an author who has written for both BBC Bitesize and Cambridge University Press. Quality teaching resources you can trust!
Validation and verification in a robust program
nwilkinnwilkin

Validation and verification in a robust program

(2)
Ever wondered what the exam boards mean by a robust program? Here is a working example of a robust program created in Python. It includes the Python program, an SQL database it links to along with a walkthrough PDF explaining the main points of the program. The program displays the following programming skills: Selection Iteration String manipulation Using logical and Boolean operators Creating and calling subprograms Passing variables between subprograms Validation Verification Writing to and reading from an external file Searching for data using SQL Good programming practice Please note: This is a robust program, however that does not make it indestructible :)
Python Iteration Lesson
nwilkinnwilkin

Python Iteration Lesson

(4)
This complete Python programming lesson teaches pupils about iteration, namely for loops and while loops. It also includes lots of practice with reading and drawing flow diagrams. Download this no-prep lesson now to help you take control of your workload. This teaching resource includes an attractive dyslexia friendly PowerPoint presentation including videos to teach the key skills and the easy to follow teachers lesson plan includes all the answers. This ready-to-use lesson is perfect for non-specialist teachers, newly qualified teachers and teachers who are teaching Python for the first time. Please note: This lesson does assume the pupils are familiar with using basic if and else statements in Python. (My ready to use lessons to teach those skills are available here: “If Statement Lesson” and “More If Statements Lesson” ) Duration: 1 lesson This lesson teaches pupils about: For loops using the range statement While loops The difference between count controlled and condition-controlled loops . What are you waiting for? Take action straight away and grab your copy of this wonderful lesson today that will keep your pupils engaged and making progress and save you preparation time. FREE BONUS PRODUCT INCLUDED As a special thank you for purchasing this product I am pleased to be able to also include a surprise FREE bonus gift. This gift is one of our complete resources which we will usually charge full price for but is yours absolutely free when you purchase this product. Just our little way of saying thank you to our valued customers. I hope you enjoy it and get use out of it, with my compliments. [Click Here To See More Of My Great Python Lessons] (https://www.tes.com/resources/search/?authorId=835903&q=Python Lessons&shop=nwilkin)
KS3 Python SoW Outline
nwilkinnwilkin

KS3 Python SoW Outline

(4)
This free document outlines the lessons that can be used to teach Python programming covering the national curriculum requirements for a text based programming language for key stage 3. It outlines the lessons and provides links to make your job easier when searching for a comprehensive, high-quality set of lessons. It also includes a link to an end of unit assessment.
Algorithm Unplugged Activity KS1 Computing
nwilkinnwilkin

Algorithm Unplugged Activity KS1 Computing

(30)
This activity helps towards of the coverage of the new computing national curriculum requirement of understand what algorithms are. An algorithm is a set of instructions. Help pupils learn about putting instructions into order using these cards. Ask the pupils to cut out each set and stick them in the correct order on paper or card. Cards 3 and 4 can have multiple answers and can form the basis for group discussion. A good activity to use before introducing the pupils to bee-bots.
Python Printable Dictionary
nwilkinnwilkin

Python Printable Dictionary

(20)
This is a quick reference guide to help pupils (and teachers) find the correct syntax for common lines of code in Python. Best used as a memory aid rather than a teaching aid. Print as a Booklet for best layout. Suitable for GCSE Computer Science classes and KS3 Computing classes.
Rubber Duck Debugging Lesson
nwilkinnwilkin

Rubber Duck Debugging Lesson

(12)
How can a rubber duck help you be a better programmer? How can they possibly have a place in our classrooms? What is rubber duck debugging? When I first heard about this strange phenomenon, I was a little sceptical. Is this just another gimmick? Is there a surplus of rubber ducks that need repurposing? No, apparently this is a recognised programming technique that really works. What do you do? You need enough rubber ducks so that each pupil has their own duck. Amazon sell bags of rubber ducks for a reasonable price. Run through the presentation with them, give them the 3 Python programs to practice with and watch as your programming classes learn how to solve many of their programming problems without having to rely on you! If you are having trouble finding non-squeaky ducks you can either print out an image of the duck to be blue-tacked to the corner of their screen for everyone, or try the squeaky ducks but tell them, if there is an excessive amount of squeaking they will have their duck taken away and given a "flat duck"instead.
Embedded Systems Lesson
nwilkinnwilkin

Embedded Systems Lesson

(7)
How can you teach your students about embedded systems, in an engaging way? The key is to break up the theory into small manageable chunks and reinforce each section with a variety of activities. And that is exactly what this computer science lesson does. Why spend hours making your own resources when it is all done for you? Download this embedded systems computing lesson today and save yourself all that preparation. WHAT IS INCLUDED? Suitable for GCSE Computer Science pupils following either OCR GCSE Computer Science (J277) or AQA GCSE Computer Science (8520) syllabuses. This lesson includes: an attractive dyslexia friendly PowerPoint presentation, differentiated lesson objectives, a video to change focus and break up the lesson, loads of individual and group tasks and questions, a printable ready to use worksheet for classwork, 3 differentiated exam style questions which can be used either in the plenary or set for a homework task, a comprehensive 3-page teacher’s lesson plan including ALL THE ANSWERS. . WHAT DOES IT COVER? With virtually no preparation (apart from photocopying the worksheets) you will be ready to teach about your classes about: What an embedded system is How an embedded system differs from a general purpose computer system Identifying the purpose, input, process and outputs of a variety of embedded systems Identifying the benefits of using embedded systems . DURATION: 1 lesson Download the lesson now and take back control of your workload. Click here to see some more computer science lessons
Binary Activity
nwilkinnwilkin

Binary Activity

(7)
A self-marking spreadsheet, you can install onto your computer network that the pupils copy into their own work area and work through. The stages get progressively harder and asks them to convert from binary to denary and from denary to binary. For some of the harder levels you may need to provide a piece of paper and a pen to help them work out the answers. Can even be used as a form of assessment as their work can be saved. Great to use either in the classroom or set it as a homework task. Suitable for GCSE Computer Science classes and KS3 Computing classes.
Fun End of Term Summer Quiz 2017 (GCSE Computer Science and KS3 Computing)
nwilkinnwilkin

Fun End of Term Summer Quiz 2017 (GCSE Computer Science and KS3 Computing)

(6)
NEW COMPUTER SCIENCE QUIZ FOR THE END OF YEAR / SUMMER TERM 2017! A fun whole class quiz, ideally suited to keep pupils engaged and settled for the final lesson of the summer term. Suitable for year 7 to year 11. The quiz includes computer science elements as well as other fun summer related questions getting them into the summer holiday spirit. Guaranteed to make the final lesson fun before they break up for summer. Print out the answer sheets (enough for 1 per team) and then run through the quiz on the whiteboard. After each section the answers are provided allowing the quiz to easily be cut shorter if you wish. Suitable for GCSE Computer Science classes and KS3 Computing and ICT classes.
End of term SUMMER Computing Quiz 2016
nwilkinnwilkin

End of term SUMMER Computing Quiz 2016

(11)
PLEASE NOTE: I have released an updated quiz for 2017 which you can download fro free from https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/fun-end-of-term-summer-quiz-2017-gcse-computer-science-and-ks3-computing-11579339 This quiz is a fun end of term whole class quiz, ideally suited to keep pupils engaged and settled for the final lesson of the summer term. Suitable for year 7 to year 11. The quiz includes computing elements as well as other seasonal questions guaranteed to make the final lesson fun before they break up for the summer holidays. Print out the answer sheets (enough for 1 per team) and then run through the quiz on the whiteboard. After each section the answers are provided allowing the quiz to easily be cut shorter if you wish.
The Purpose of the CPU Lesson
nwilkinnwilkin

The Purpose of the CPU Lesson

(3)
How can you teach your students about the purpose of the CPU in an engaging way? The key is to break up the theory into small manageable chunks and reinforce each section with a variety of activities. And that is EXACTLY what this lesson does. Why spend hours making your own resources when it is all done for you? Download this lesson today and save yourself all that preparation. WHAT IS INCLUDED? Suitable for GCSE Computer Science pupils following either OCR GCSE Computer Science (J277) and AQA GCSE Computer Science (8520) syllabuses. This lesson includes: an attractive dyslexia-friendly PowerPoint presentation, differentiated lesson objectives, a video to change focus and break up the lesson, loads of individual and group tasks and questions, a printable ready-to-use worksheet for classwork, 3 differentiated exam-style questions which can be used either in the plenary or set for a homework task, a comprehensive 2-page teacher’s lesson plan including ALL THE ANSWERS. . WHAT DOES IT COVER? With virtually no preparation (apart from photocopying the single page worksheet) you will be ready to teach your classes about: the relationship between hardware and software the fetch - decode - execute cycle address busses and data busses the purpose and main functions of the CPU . **DURATION: **1 lesson Please note: This lesson does not teach pupils about the Von Neumann Architecture as that is covered in a separate lesson. FREE BONUS PRODUCT INCLUDED As a special thank you for purchasing this product I am pleased to be able to also include a surprise FREE bonus gift. This gift is one of my complete resources for which I usually charge full price but is yours absolutely free when you purchase this product. Just my little way of saying thank you to my valued customers. I hope you enjoy it and get use out of it, with my compliments. Check out these other great resources by Nichola Wilkin (nwilkin): CPU Performance Von Neumann Architecture Rom, Ram and Virtual Memory Embedded Systems Secondary Storage
Binary Calculator Unplugged Activity
nwilkinnwilkin

Binary Calculator Unplugged Activity

(6)
This practical hands-on activity is best used to introduce pupils to binary for the first time. It takes about 20 minutes to make the calculator, following the instructions on page 2 (they will need scissors) which can then be used in the lesson to help the pupils convert from binary to denary values.
Drawing with Scratch Lesson
nwilkinnwilkin

Drawing with Scratch Lesson

(6)
This lesson allows pupils to practice using the pen tool in Scratch and uses the ‘repeat’ function to create mathematical shapes. This lesson does assume the pupils have a basic understanding of using Scratch.
End of term EASTER Computing Quiz 2016
nwilkinnwilkin

End of term EASTER Computing Quiz 2016

(7)
A fun end of term whole class quiz, ideally suited to keep pupils engaged and settled for the final lesson of the spring term. Suitable for year 7 to year 11. The quiz includes computing elements as well as other seasonal questions guaranteed to make the final lesson fun before they break up for Easter. Print out the answer sheets (enough for 1 per team) and then run through the quiz on the whiteboard. After each section the answers are provided allowing the quiz to easily be cut shorter if you wish.
Python Good Programming Habits
nwilkinnwilkin

Python Good Programming Habits

(2)
A great lesson to consolidate basic programming skills whilst helping your pupils learn good programming habits. The totally FREE lesson teaches your students about following good programming habits. This this lesson involves students consolidating their previous programming skills using fun and interactive programming task cards, which are ideal for pupils who struggle with the basics or the syntax of the three basic programming constructs (sequence, selection and iteration). This high-energy activity asks pupils to create several programs in which they will be utilising the good programming habits they have been taught at the start of the lesson. Download this ready to use lesson now and become more confident in teaching programming to your pupils. It’s free so what have you got to lose? Please note: students should be familiar with basic input and print statements, using simple mathematical operators, if statements and iteration, although there is plenty of practice opportunities in this lesson. This ready to use lesson is suitable for KS3 and GCSE computer science pupils. It includes an attractive dyslexia friendly PowerPoint presentation that includes differentiated lesson objectives, a video and lots of practical programming practice. It also includes a comprehensive 2-page teacher’s lesson plan. This ready-to-use lesson is perfect for non-specialist teachers, newly qualified teachers and teachers who are teaching Python for the first time. Duration: 1 lesson In this lesson your students will learn about: Why comments are used by programmers How to add a comment to a single line of code How to block out larger sections of Python code using comments How empty lines can be used both in the code and in the output Re-enforces the importance of good variable names. . What are you waiting for? Take action straight away and download your FREE copy of this wonderful low-prep lesson today that will keep your pupils engaged and making progress. Click Here To See More Of My Great Python Lessons
Network Topologies Lesson
nwilkinnwilkin

Network Topologies Lesson

(2)
How can you teach your students about network topologies, in an engaging way? The key is to break up the theory into small manageable chunks and reinforce each section with a variety of activities. And that is exactly what this lesson does. Why spend hours making your own resources when it is all done for you? Download this lesson today and save yourself all that preparation. WHAT IS INCLUDED? Suitable for GCSE Computer Science pupils following either OCR GCSE Computer Science (J277) or AQA GCSE Computer Science (8520) syllabuses. This lesson includes: an attractive dyslexia friendly PowerPoint presentation, differentiated lesson objectives, 4 videos to change focus and break up the lesson, loads of individual and group tasks and questions, 2 printable ready to use worksheets for classwork, A set of taboo cards for the plenary 3 differentiated exam style questions which can be used either in the plenary or set for a homework task, a comprehensive 3-page teacher’s lesson plan including ALL THE ANSWERS. . WHAT DOES IT COVER? With virtually no preparation (apart from photocopying the worksheets and taboo cards) you will be ready to teach about your classes about: Ring network topology Bus network topology Star network topology Full mesh network topology Partial mesh network topology . **DURATION: **1 lesson Check out these other great resources by Nichola Wilkin (nwilkin): Network types Network hardware What is the internet?
Christmas Computing Quiz – Year 9
nwilkinnwilkin

Christmas Computing Quiz – Year 9

(2)
Are you ready for an exhilarating and festive end of term Christmas activity? Look no further than our electrifying Christmas Computing Quiz, tailor-made for your Year 9 students! Prepare to be dazzled with this “Who done it?” style quiz specially crafted for Year 9. Solve the mystery by answering computing questions correctly in order to interview witnesses and suspects, seamlessly intertwined with a Christmas theme that will leave both your SLT and your year 9 computing pupils in high spirits as the term concludes. HOW DOES THE CHRISTMAS COMPUTING QUIZ WORK? Once you’ve purchased the resource you get a PDF which contains a link. Share the provided link with your students and watch as it whisks them away to an enchanting digital realm filled with engaging questions and an intriguing mystery to solve. Your year 9 computing students can embark on this journey of knowledge and fun on their own, or, for an added dose of excitement, encourage pairs of students to team up and tackle the quiz together. The joy multiplies as collaboration ignites their enthusiasm. And the best part? The quiz is a self-guided adventure. As your students conquer each stage, the next one automatically beckons, providing you with invaluable time to support those in need or attend to the myriad of other holiday season tasks tugging at your attention. Fear not, for we’ve thought of everything. All the answers are readily available in the comprehensive teacher’s guide, ensuring you can rescue any students who find themselves in a puzzling predicament. This captivating experience is designed to last between 30 to 40 minutes so you may need to provide a second activity for particularly speedy early finishers. WHAT IS INCLUDED? You get a single PDF file which contains the link to the activity and the answers to the computing questions along with the solution to the mystery. Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity! Grab your copy of the Year 9 Christmas Computing Quiz – a timeless gem that you can deploy year after year with a new wave of Year 9 computing students. Let the festivities begin! COMPUTING TOPICS INCLUDE: Computer laws Software (spreadsheets and graphics) Networks and the internet Algorithms and logic Programming Data representation Hardware Computer systems . Click here to check out this amazing bundle to get all 5 Key Stage 3 Computing and GCSE Computer Science quizzes at a knock down price. IMPORTANT NOTE: In order to run the quizzes there are a few activities which require links to external websites. Here are the external sites that you will need to have unblocked on your school network. view . genial . ly jigsawexplorer . com PLEASE NOTE: This game is intended to be used on a desktop or laptop computer and some of the features will not be available on an iPad or other mobile device.
Python Turtle Lesson
nwilkinnwilkin

Python Turtle Lesson

(3)
Looking for a fun, engaging lesson using the Python turtle? The totally FREE lesson teaches your students about using the turtle in Python to draw shapes. Students will learn how to create shapes and repeating patterns using the for loop and range statement. This is an ideal lesson to use after teaching your class about for loops, helping pupils embed iteration in their programming skills. Download this ready to use lesson now and become more confident in teaching programming to your pupils. It’s free so what have you got to lose? This ready to use lesson is suitable for KS3 and GCSE computer science pupils. It includes an attractive dyslexia friendly PowerPoint presentation that includes differentiated lesson objectives, videos to teach key skills, created in authentic English by an experienced computer science teacher and the lesson also includes lots of practical programming practise. It also includes a comprehensive lesson plan including all the answers. This ready-to-use lesson is perfect for non-specialist teachers, newly qualified teachers and teachers who are teaching Python for the first time. Please note: This lesson does use for loops and random.randint( ) and random.choice( ) statements and it is advantageous for pupils to have already become familiar with these but it is not essential. Duration: 1 lesson This lesson teaches pupils about: Creating simple shapes using a loop Using computation thinking skills to identify repeating patterns Nesting loops to create more complex patterns Altering the background colour Altering the line colour Altering the line thickness Altering the fill colour Using random to create unique random patterns . What are you waiting for? Take action straight away and download your FREE copy of this wonderful no-prep lesson today that will keep your pupils engaged and making progress. Click Here To See More Of My Great Python Lessons
Programming If Statements Task Cards
nwilkinnwilkin

Programming If Statements Task Cards

(1)
Task cards that help your students’ confidence grow when learning programming! Have you ever felt your students were just not grasping the basics when it comes to programming? Sometimes all they need is a little bit more practice and repetition of the simple things before you move onto more complex tasks. With these FREE quick programming tasks cards you can easily do just that. 40 TASKS CARDS WHICH FOCUS ON IF STATEMENTS AND NOTHING ELSE! Created for use with multiple text-based programming languages such as Python, Visual Basic, C/C++, C#, Ruby and Small Basic. These fun challenges are perfect to allow your students to recap skills you have taught them previously to help transfer those skills into their long-term memory. Grab your copy of these FREE quick programming task cards now and give your pupils the boost they need and deserve. WHAT IS INCLUDED? There are 40 different tasks and 4 more blank cards so you can create your own additional tasks if you want. Colour and black/white versions are both included (using the same 40 tasks in each) to help you save on printing costs. If you are using the black and white version, you can print them onto coloured paper or card to add interest. WHAT PREPARATION IS REQUIRED? These tasks cards are so simple to prepare and once you have created them, you can use them time and time again. Print the pages you want to use. Colour and black/white versions are both included. If you want to reuse them, you can laminate the pages or print on card. Cut each page into 4 sections. . HOW CAN THEY BE USED? Once you have your pack of cards you can easily use them at any time you want. You can use them in so many ways… As a starter or plenary To give your pupils more practice during a lesson To give to quick finishers To help lower ability pupils reinforce the key skills . To use them you can either allocate particular cards to pupils or allow them to pick a random card from the deck themselves. Your students then create the program and can test it out on a classmate. The beauty of this activity is because all the pupils are working on different tasks their classmates will not know the answers and are often delighted by the silly and humorous responses they get from the computer. Once students have one program working correctly they can pick another card which keeps the entire class fully engaged allowing you to focus on helping the students who need your one-to-one help. An exciting and easy classroom activity to reinforce key programming skills. **What are you waiting for? Download these TOTALLY FREE task cards now and give your pupils an activity they will simply love. **
Python For Loops Programming Challenges
nwilkinnwilkin

Python For Loops Programming Challenges

(1)
Do your students need a little extra help with understanding for loops in Python programming? Are you looking for some ready to use programming challenges that can be easily incorporated into your lessons? This worksheet can be used as a classroom activity, for a homework task or as a ready-to-use task for quick finishers, making this an invaluable resource to have in your teacher kit. Download this ready to use worksheet now and take control of your workload. Use it immediately or simply keep it in reserve for when you need it. WHAT IS INCLUDED? This 2-page PDF printable handout includes: example code, a task to work out the output from the range function, a task to correct code and 4 practical challenges for them to practice writing for loops in Python code. . You even have a separate PDF with possible answers. The diversity of these for loops challenges allow pupils to develop a variety of useful programming skills. This resource is perfect for established computer science teachers, non-specialist teachers or newly qualified teachers. What are you waiting for? Take action straight away and grab your copy of this wonderful worksheet today that will keep your pupils engaged and making real progress. Everything is done for you which will save you hours of preparation time. Please note: This resource is a non-editable PDF FREE BONUS PRODUCT INCLUDED As a special thank you for purchasing this product I am pleased to be able to also include a surprise FREE bonus gift. This gift is one of our complete resources which we will usually charge full price for but is yours absolutely free when you purchase this product. Just our little way of saying thank you to our valued customers. I hope you enjoy it and get use out of it, with my compliments. **Click Here To See More Of My Great Python Challenges **