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!
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!
This systems architecture workbook is perfect for students studying for the OCR GCSE (9-1) in Computer Science and has been updated to completely cover the new specification J277.
It can be used in the classroom as a teaching aid, for self-study or as a revision tool. In this resource you will receive an interactive PDF workbook so your students can either print it out and complete the activities by hand or fill it in electronically, making this an ideal workbook for use in school or for students studying at home.
The answer booklet is provided as a separate PDF file so you can assign your students the workbook without including the answers.
This 24 page workbook completely covers the new specification J277 1.1 systems architecture theory.
Table of Contents:
Systems Architecture
Hardware
Software
The purpose of the CPU
Von Neumann Architecture
Memory Address Register (MAR)
Memory Data Register (MDR)
Program Counter (PC)
Accumulator (AC)
Common CPU Components
Arithmetic / Logic unit (ALU)
Control unit (CU)
Cache
Busses
The Fetch-Execute cycle
How common characteristics of CPUs affect their performance
Clock speed
Cache size
Number of cores
Purpose of embedded systems
Examples of embedded systems
.
You may also be interested in these workbooks which have also been written to cover the J277 specification:
Memory and Storage
Computer networks, connections and protocols
Network Security
Systems Software
Ethical, Legal, Cultural and Environmental Impacts
Algorithms
Programming Fundamentals
Producing Robust Programs
Boolean Logic
Programming Languages and IDEs
This is a written test about how data is represented in a computer system.
It includes questions on binary, denary, hexadecimal, binary addition, logic gates, truth tables, ASCII, bitmaps and vector images and machine code.
Suitable for GCSE Computer Science classes and KS3 Computing classes. A useful revision tool to help GCSE pupils recognise gaps in their knowledge.
The test takes most students around 25 - 30 mins to complete.
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.
This is a written test about the inside workings of a computer.
It includes questions about the CPU, computer speed, multi-core processors, virtual memory, solid state and magnetic storage, ROM, RAM, user requirements and Moor’s law.
Useful revision tool to help GCSE pupils recognise gaps in their knowledge.
Suitable for GCSE Computer Science classes and KS3 Computing and ICT classes.
This test takes most students 25 - 40 mins to complete.
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.
This is a written test about computer networks.
It includes questions about LANs, the internet and the world wide web, network hardware, network topologies, data packets, MAC and IP addresses, network security and cloud storage.
Useful revision tool to help GCSE pupils recognise gaps in their knowledge.
Suitable for GCSE Computer Science classes and KS3 Computing classes.
This test takes most students 25 - 40 mins to complete.
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.
This has got to be one of the most unusual and fun ways of introducing your students to the delights of the bubble, insert and merge sorting algorithms. Even if your exam board only teaches two of these sorting algorithms it’s still worth getting this activity and teaching all three as it is just so much fun!
Using an escape room activity that involves a witch and a goblin (who doesn’t want that?) your students will learn the basics of how these three algorithms work.
This is a student-led interactive escape room activity that is ideal for social distancing and does not require any student computers and they can remain at their individual desks and yet they will still be working together.
The entire activity will last a single lesson.
Your role is to not do a lot and put the emphasis on your students working together. Early on you will be turned into a goblin! Sorry (not really sorry) so you may want to practise your goblin roar for when it’s called upon.
Students therefore cannot rely on you to help them (because you’ll be a goblin) and they’ll have to work together (either as a whole class or in smaller teams if you prefer) to try and solve all the riddles in their “spell books” for themselves.
The main activity is introduced via a whole-class PowerPoint presentation which includes videos giving the students vital instructions and helping them if necessary. Each pupil is given a printout of the spell book which contains all the challenges.
This escape room style activity gives your students a great introduction to the three sorting algorithms (bubble sort, insert sort and merge sort) and will certainly give your students a boost at the start of learning this topic.
Suitable for higher KS3 classes and GCSE Computer Science classes.
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.
Have you ever stayed awake at night wondering about the next computer science lesson you need to teach?
Wouldn’t to be wonderful to have 16 dazzling easy to run lessons right at your fingertips?
Imagine the relief as you can forget about the hours of planning and preparation and you can get on with doing something you really enjoy.
Here’s how it works:
Step 1: Purchase and download this bundle of 15 lessons
Step 2:Open them up and giggle excitedly at all the work that has been done for you
Step 3: Plan when you will use them
Step 4: Sit back, smile to yourself and watch another episode of your favourite box set knowing your planning is done
This bundle of 16 ready to use lessons includes everything you need to teach the following:
The purpose of the CPU
Von Neumann Architecture
CPU Performance
Embedded Systems
ROM, RAM and Virtual memory
Secondary Storage
Network Types
Network Hardware
What is the internet?
Network topologies
Wireless networks
Network Protocols and TCP/IP
Malware
Identifying and Preventing Network Vulnerabilities
and Computer Science Exam Technique Revision Lesson
.
Each lesson includes a high-quality dyslexia friendly PowerPoint presentation, videos to teach key skills, interesting activities to keep the class engaged and to help you monitor progress and understanding and teacher plans which include ALL THE ANSWERS!
They even include practice questions to help pupils prepare for their exams – I know this is really spoiling you but hey, you deserve it!
The lessons are suitable for newly qualified teachers, non-specialist teachers and experienced computer science teachers who are looking to add a sprinkle of zesty brilliance to their lessons.
Go on, treat yourself…you deserve it
Are you looking for a set of fun, hands-on activities which will reinforce how to use key programming skills in Scratch? These flash card coding challenges are easy to use and will keep your students engaged whist embedding how to use the Scratch coding blocks.
Your students will be having so much fun they won’t even realise they’re learning!
Each pack includes 20 different Scratch coding flash cards WITH THE ANSWERS. You have the option of printing in colour but we also include a black and white version to save you ink.
Grab your copy now and either use them straight away or keep them as a handy addition to your teacher’s tool kit.
HOW CAN I USE THESE FLASH CARDS IN MY CLASSROOM?
Your students pick a card and create the programming challenge described on the front of the flash card. Once they have created their Scratch program, students test their completed program and turn over to see the suggested Scratch code answer on the reverse of the card. If they get stuck, they can always turn the card over to see the suggested solution they can copy.
When they have their program working correctly, students swap their flash card for another and repeat the process.
Students can work individually or in pairs for this activity and love the competitive nature of using these flash cards as they see how many they can complete.
These flash cards are great when used as:
a starter,
a plenary,
for early-finishers or
as an easy, highly engaging in-class activity.
.
HOW DO I PREPARE THE CARDS?
These flash cards are so easy to prepare. Simply print, glue the back and fold in half along the vertical guideline, before cutting to size.
If you want to reuse them time and time again, it may be worth laminating your flash cards.
Each set has 20 individual programming challenges so you may need to prepare more than one set for larger classes.
These are an excellent addition to your computing teacher’s toolkit and you’ll wonder how you ever managed without them.
Get your copy of these user-friendly, highly engaging Scratch flash cards before you forget. Go on, click on the “Buy Now” button straight away. If you don’t, you’ll regret it later.
Click here to take a peek at my Computational Thinking Escape Room - a finalist in the Teach Secondary Awards.
At the start of every term I get many emails and phone calls from teachers who have recently taken over as the head of Computer Science and are unsure where to start. Some of them are walking into a well-ordered department where everything is laid out and ready-to-go, others are not so lucky.
Often, they are the only person in that department and so don’t have anywhere to turn to ask for help. And then the headteacher casually strolls into your room when you have barely been for a day and asks you for your ICT policy document by the end of the week. Gulp!
Not to worry, I have this one ready to go and better still it is completely free!
With a brief read through, only some minor tweaking to make it fit your school and copying them into your schools template it should satisfy your headteacher and give you a bit of valuable breathing space while you try to get your head around the one hundred and one other things you need to do.
Acceptable Use Of ICT Policy For Pupils
The acceptable use of ICT policy is for pupils and includes an acceptance form, they need to sign and hand back to you.
Make sure you insert your school name in the first paragraph of page 1 and if you are printing it out to send home you will probably want to copy it into your schools’ template.
At the start of every term I get many emails and phone calls from teachers who have recently taken over as the head of Computer Science and are unsure where to start. Some of them are walking into a well-ordered department where everything is laid out and ready-to-go, others are not so lucky.
Often, they are the only person in that department and so don’t have anywhere to turn to ask for help. And then the headteacher casually strolls into your room when you have barely been for a day and asks you for your ICT policy document by the end of the week. Gulp!
Not to worry, I have this one ready to go and better still it is completely free!
With a brief read through, only some minor tweaking to make it fit your school and copying them into your schools template it should satisfy your headteacher and give you a bit of valuable breathing space while you try to get your head around the one hundred and one other things you need to do.
School Data Protection Policy
A School Data Protection policy isn’t really your responsibility as head of computer science and is something somebody who has received adequate training should be looking after. The name of the allocated data protection officer (DPO) and their contact details should be inserted into section 5.2 (Data protection officer) and is usually somebody in the admin team.
This FREE programming languages and IDEs workbook is perfect for students studying for the OCR GCSE (9-1) in computer science and has been updated to completely cover the new specification J277.
It can be used in the classroom as a teaching aid, for self-study or as a revision tool. In this resource you will receive an interactive PDF workbook so your students can either print it out and complete the activities by hand or fill it in electronically making this an ideal workbook for use in school or for students studying at home.
The answer booklet is provided as a separate PDF file so you can assign your students the workbook without including the answers.
This free 12-page workbook completely covers the new specification J277 2.5 Programming Logic and Integrated Development Environments (IDE) theory.
Table of Contents:
Characteristics and purpose of different levels of programming languages
Machine Code
Assembly language
High-level languages
The purpose of translators
Source code
Compilers
Integrated development environments (IDEs)
Editors
Error diagnostics
Run-time environments
Translators
.
You may also be interested in these workbooks which have also been written to cover the J277 specification:
Systems Architecture
Memory and Storage
Computer networks, connections and protocols
Network Security
Systems Software
Ethical, Legal, Cultural and Environmental Impacts
Algorithms
Programming Fundamentals
Producing Robust Programs
Boolean Logic
At the start of every term I get many emails and phone calls from teachers who have recently taken over as the head of Computer Science and are unsure where to start. Some of them are walking into a well-ordered department where everything is laid out and ready-to-go, others are not so lucky.
Often, they are the only person in that department and so don’t have anywhere to turn to ask for help. And then the headteacher casually strolls into your room when you have barely been for a day and asks you for your ICT policy document by the end of the week. Gulp!
Not to worry, I have this one ready to go and better still it is completely free!
With a brief read through, only some minor tweaking to make it fit your school and copying them into your schools template it should satisfy your headteacher and give you a bit of valuable breathing space while you try to get your head around the one hundred and one other things you need to do.
Acceptable Use Of ICT Policy For Staff
The acceptable use of ICT policy is for staff and is a little more detailed than my policy for pupils. This can also be coped into your school template and requires staff to sign the last page.
Workbook, Python printable challenges and a glossary to help pupils learn Python programming. Suitable for KS3 and GCSE Computer Science.
Purchasing this bundle saves you 29% on the usual individual price.
This network security workbook is perfect for students studying for the OCR GCSE (9-1) in computer science and has been updated to completely cover the new specification J277.
It can be used in the classroom as a teaching aid, for self-study or as a revision tool. In this resource you will receive an interactive PDF workbook so your students can either print it out and complete the activities by hand or fill it in electronically making this an ideal workbook for use in school or for students studying at home.
The answer booklet is provided as a separate PDF file so you can assign your students the workbook without including the answers.
This 45-page workbook completely covers the new specification J277 1.4 network security theory.
Table of Contents:
What is network security?
Forms of attack
Threats posed to networks
Hackers and crackers
Malware
Social engineering
Brute Force Attacks
Denial of Service Attacks
Data Interception
Data theft
SQL injection
Poor network policy
Identifying and preventing vulnerabilities
Penetration testing
Network forensics
Network policies
Anti-malware software
Firewalls
User access levels
Passwords
Encryption
Physical security
.
You may also be interested in these workbooks which have also been written to cover the J277 specification:
Systems Architecture
Memory and Storage
Computer networks, connections and protocols
Systems Software
Ethical, Legal, Cultural and Environmental Impacts
Algorithms
Programming Fundamentals
Producing Robust Programs
Boolean Logic
Programming Languages and IDEs
Looking for a comprehensive and easy-to-use resource to help your students excel in OCR GCSE J277 computer science? Look no further than our complete set of workbooks!
Written specifically to match the requirements of the OCR GCSE Computer Science exams, these workbooks ensure that you cover the entire specification and provide your students with all the information they need for successful revision and exam preparation.
But these workbooks are more than just a standard handout or textbook. They’re interactive and engaging, combining the best of both worlds to create a powerful addition to your teacher’s toolkit. With everything at their fingertips, your students will be able to focus on learning and achieving their best.
What is included?
Our interactive PDF workbooks make it easy to focus on specific sections of the OCR J277 GCSE in Computer Science syllabus without overwhelming your students. Each workbook is designed to cover a single topic in depth, using student-friendly language and clear explanations of key terminology to help your pupils digest the knowledge and retain it for longer.
Throughout each workbook, tasks are included to reinforce learning and allow you to monitor your students’ progress. Answers are provided in a separate PDF workbook, giving you the option to issue workbooks without answers for assessment purposes.
To help your students take ownership of their learning, each workbook also includes a student checklist. This tool allows students to track their progress and identify areas where they may need more work, helping you make the most of the time you have with your students.
This bundle includes all of the following OCR workbooks:
Systems architecture
Memory and storage
Computer networks, connections and protocols
Network security
Systems software
Ethical, legal, cultural and environmental impacts of digital technology
Algorithms
Programming fundamentals (using Python)
Producing robust programs (using Python)
Boolean logic
Programming Languages and Integrated Development Environments (IDE)
The total individual price for all the computer science workbooks is £177.87 but when purchased as a bundle you can get all this for only £150 a saving of over £25.
How can they be used?
Our OCR J277 GCSE in Computer Science workbooks are the perfect complement to your classroom teaching. They offer the flexibility to be completed either on-screen or printed and completed manually on paper, ensuring continuity both in the computer room and when your classroom is being used by another subject.
In addition, our workbooks can also be given to students as homework or self-study projects to complete on their own at home. This is a great option for students who may need extra practice or who want to reinforce their understanding of a particular topic.
The best part? When you purchase our workbooks, you’ll receive a PDF file that can be reused time and time again with no further costs or ongoing subscription fees. This means that you can continue to use them year after year, saving time and money in the process.
So whether you’re looking for an in-class supplement, a homework option, or a comprehensive revision tool, our OCR JS22 GCSE in Computer Science workbooks are an excellent choice.
A great introduction to understanding binary. These ready to use lessons will save you hours of preparation and can easily be adapted to meet your own requirements.
WHAT IS INCLUDED?
In this unit you have 2 ready-to-use lessons:
Converting 5-bit binary numbers into denary
Converting denary numbers into binary
.
Everything you need is included such as:
a very high-quality accessible PowerPoint presentation for every lesson that effortlessly leads the teacher through the lesson and includes all the answers to the many questions and tasks the students need to complete
a 2-sided editable worksheet for every lesson
an easy-to-follow editable lesson plan for every lesson
.
PRIOR LEARNING
This is the perfect introduction to binary and does not expect the students to have any previous knowledge of converting between denary and binary.
EASY TO USE
These ready to use resources are so straightforward that although I have included a lesson plan, most teachers can teach straight from the PowerPoint presentation without any further assistance. And best of all, the answers are included saving you time and energy.
This makes these lessons suitable for experienced computing specialist teachers along with non-specialists and early career teachers (ECTs).
EDITABLE RESOURCES
I understand that teachers want to adapt their resources, so I’ve made the bold decision to make these resources editable.
Therefore, if you need to use a particular template style for your school, you can change the PowerPoint presentation, worksheet and lesson plan to suit your needs.
If you have students with specific educational needs, you can change the lesson to suit them.
It gives you the flexibility to alter the lessons to suit your own particular needs.
SCIENTIFICALLY PROVEN TEACHING TECHNIQUES
These teaching resources have been specifically designed to aid pupils using educational psychology backed theories including dual coding, Mayer’s theory and the best techniques to alleviate cognitive load.
Your students will have a higher retention rate, better and deeper understanding of the subject matter and will build their confidence in a natural way which reduces distractions and helps them focus on the learning.
These lessons are highly interactive and engage students straight from the start.
TEACHING TO THE TOP
These lessons are designed to stretch all pupils. Instead of traditional differentiation which systematically underchallenges pupils, I raise the bar for everyone and then, as a teacher who knows your own students best, you can support individuals to reach their own full potential.
Start reaping the benefits today of incredibly high-quality, professionally designed teaching resources that you can use with virtually no preparation.
Just click on the BUY NOW button to download them straight away. You’ll wonder how you ever managed without them.
Ready-to-use worksheets and activties you can immediately use in your classroom to help you teach the following topics:
Inside a computer
Binary, denary and Hex conversion
Logic Gates and Truth Tables
Suitable for GCSE Computer Science classes and KS3 Computing classes.
All packs include an answer booklet making your life even easier. Saves you hours of work.
A collection of full lessons, workbooks, handouts and knowledge organisers to teach GCSE Computer Science pupils about the CPU.
These lessons are suitable for teaching the new updated syllabus starting September 2020 including the OCR GCSE Computer Science (J277) and AQA GCSE Computer Science (8520).
Can be used in class, homework tasks and as revision.
The bundle saves you 30% on the usual individual price.
This FREE simple Christmas activity teaches pupils about how bitmap images are constructed. They need to convert the binary numbers into denary and then use them to create various images. They are shown the final image as well as the binary numbers used to create the bitmap image.
Suitable for Year 7 or 8 as a fun Christmas lesson.
Please note: the Excel spreadsheet is protected and only some cells are open for the pupils to type into.
This digital activity is entirely self-marking and helps re-enforce converting from binary to denary and denary to binary.
It consists of 4 challenges each with progressively harder challenges where students complete against each other to see who can complete the challenges in a given amount of time.
Ready to use with absolutely no preparation and this is a must have activity for the busy computer science teacher.
The next question will only appear once the previous one has been completed correctly and students are given a clear “Correct” or “Try Again” message to tell them if they have the answer correct.
WHO IS IT FOR?
This activity if suitable for any students who has learnt how to convert from binary to denary and denary to binary and wants to practice those skills. It starts of with converting 5-bit numbers but progresses to 8-bit numbers and the challenges progress.
Ideal for a “Teaching to the top” teaching methodology.
WHAT IS INCLUDED?
This resource includes an Excel spreadsheet that the students access which contains an instruction page and the 4 challenges. It also includes a second Excel spreadsheet which contains the answers for the teacher’s reference if needed.
The competitive element where students are completing against their classmates means this is a fun and challenging activity that your students are sure to enjoy.
Grab it now and add it to your teacher’s toolkit.
A great introduction to understanding binary addition, two’s complement, binary subtraction, binary shifts and binary multiplication.
WHAT IS INCLUDED?
In this unit you have 5 ready-to-use lessons:
binary addition
negative binary numbers using two’s complement
binary subtraction using two’s complement
binary shift and binary multiplication
recapping lesson to consolidate consolidating the unit and embed the skills
.
Everything you need is included such as:
a very high-quality accessible PowerPoint presentation for every lesson that effortlessly leads the teacher through the lesson and includes all the answers to the many questions and tasks the students need to complete
a 2 or 3-sided editable worksheet for every lesson
an easy-to-follow editable lesson plan for every lesson
.
PRIOR LEARNING
This unit does expect pupils to know how to translate denary numbers into binary and binary numbers into denary.
.
If your students are unfamiliar with these concepts, I highly recommend purchasing my 2 lesson unit called “Understanding Binary” (https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/resource-13042315) which covers all of these topics and will ensure your students are ready for this unit.
WHO IS THIS FOR?
This aligns with the iGCSE in computer science (0478) but is also useful for OCR J277, AQA 8525 and Pearson Edexcel computer science qualifications.
EASY TO USE
These ready to use resources are so straightforward that although I have included a lesson plan, most teachers can teach straight from the PowerPoint presentation without any further assistance. And best of all, the answers are included saving you time and energy.
This makes these lessons suitable for experienced computing specialist teachers along with non-specialists and early career teachers (ECTs).
EDITABLE RESOURCES
I understand that teachers want to adapt their resources, so I’ve made the bold decision to make these resources editable.
Therefore, if you need to use a particular template style for your school, you can change the PowerPoint presentation, worksheet and lesson plan to suit your needs.
If you have students with specific educational needs, you can change the lesson to suit them. It gives you the flexibility to alter the lessons to suit your own particular needs.
SCIENTIFICALLY PROVEN TEACHING TECHNIQUES
These teaching resources have been specifically designed to aid pupils using educational psychology backed theories to ensure your students will have a higher retention rate and a deeper understanding of the subject.
TEACHING TO THE TOP
These lessons are designed to stretch all pupils. Instead of traditional differentiation which systematically underchallenges pupils, I raise the bar for everyone and then, as a teacher who knows your own students best, you can support individuals to reach their own full potential.
Just click on the BUY NOW button to download them straight away. You’ll wonder how you ever managed without them.
