Hero image

Nichola Wilkin - Computer Science

Average Rating4.64
(based on 1167 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!

229Uploads

881k+Views

1917k+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!
Drawing with Scratch Lesson
nwilkinnwilkin

Drawing with Scratch Lesson

(5)
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.
COMPUTING Year 7 Baseline Assessment (On-line version)
nwilkinnwilkin

COMPUTING Year 7 Baseline Assessment (On-line version)

(11)
This test is to be given to year 7 pupils to test their current knowledge of key computing areas. This will help you understand their current strengths and weaknesses at the beginning of year 7 and includes a useful spreadsheet which not only highlights pupils understanding but also groups it by class and even primary school to help you inform your feeder schools which areas they need to work on and may need additional help with and which areas they have covered well. The key skills covered in this test are: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, saving files, programming, using the internet, e-safety and computer theory. Due to popular demand, I have interpreted the marks awarded to the old-style level descriptors (i.e. if they score 30 on the test or 45%, this would be equivalent to a 4C). Hope this helps. 2A - 5 marks (7%) 3C - 10 marks (15%) 3B - 12 marks (18%) 3A - 20 marks (30%) 4C - 28 marks (42%) 4B - 36 marks (54%) 4A - 42 marks (63%) 5C - 48 marks (72%) 5B - 54 marks (81%) 5A - 60 marks (90%) 6C - 64 marks (96%) PLEASE NOTE: This test is an on-line document which the pupils fill in using Word, which can be either printed or sent to you electronically for marking but if you would prefer the pupils use a traditional paper-based test then please see our other set of resources from https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/computing-year-7-baseline-assessment-paper-based-test-11355751
Python Glossary
nwilkinnwilkin

Python Glossary

(5)
In an attempt to make pupils slightly more self-sufficient, here is a 10 page PDF glossary of some key Python terms with a brief explanation of each. Ideal to have a few printed out and ready to give to pupils who need them. Can be used as part of the programming project resource bank.
Validation and verification in a robust program
nwilkinnwilkin

Validation and verification in a robust program

(1)
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 :)
COMPUTING Year 7 Baseline Assessment (paper based test)
nwilkinnwilkin

COMPUTING Year 7 Baseline Assessment (paper based test)

(45)
This test is to be given to year 7 pupils to test their current knowledge of key computing areas. This will help you understand their current strengths and weaknesses at the beginning of year 7 and includes a useful spreadsheet which not only highlights pupils understanding but also groups it by class and even primary school to help you inform your feeder schools which areas they need to work on and may need additional help with and which areas they have covered well. The key skills covered in this test are: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, saving files, programming, using the internet, e-safety and computer theory. Due to popular demand, I have interpreted the marks awarded to the old-style level descriptors (i.e. if they score 30 on the test or 45%, this would be equivalent to a 4C). Hope this helps. 2A - 5 marks (7%) 3C - 10 marks (15%) 3B - 12 marks (18%) 3A - 20 marks (30%) 4C - 28 marks (42%) 4B - 36 marks (54%) 4A - 42 marks (63%) 5C - 48 marks (72%) 5B - 54 marks (81%) 5A - 60 marks (90%) 6C - 64 marks (96%) PLEASE NOTE: This test is a paper-based test, if you would prefer the pupils to fill in an on-line document which can be either printed or sent to you electronically then please see our other set of resources from https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/computing-year-7-baseline-assessment-on-line-version-11355832
Scratch Lessons
nwilkinnwilkin

Scratch Lessons

(247)
One of the most popular FREE teaching resources on TES. Now updated and improved to use the latest version of Scratch. This FREE 6 lesson unit can be used to teach Scratch to KS2 pupils. Grab your copy of this Scratch unit now, your students will love it. WHAT IS INCLUDED? These 6 Scratch programming lessons include attractive dyslexia friendly PowerPoint presentations which include videos to teach the key skills. Easy to follow teacher lessons plans making this suitable for non-specialist teachers. Simple student friendly self-evaluation forms which can be completed either on paper-based worksheets or as on-screen editable PDF files to show students their progress through the unit. Easy to use teacher marksheet in the form of an Excel spreadsheet making your like easier when it comes to reporting on students’ progress. 5 Scratch programs that are partially completed for your students to use along with completed versions for you to use as a demonstration of a possible solution. WHAT DOES THIS UNIT TEACH YOUR STUDENTS? This unit is suitable for pupils in KS2. It does not assume any prior programming knowledge and covers the following guidelines in the National Curriculum: design, write and debug programs that accomplish specific goals, including controlling or simulating physical systems; solve problems by decomposing them into smaller parts use sequence, selection, and repetition in programs; work with variables and various forms of input and output use logical reasoning to explain how some simple algorithms work and to detect and correct errors in algorithms and programs . **NUMBER OF LESSONS ** Recommend 6 x 1 hour lessons, although this will work with slightly shorter or longer lessons. **SUITABILITY ** This project is suitable for mixed ability classes. DIFFERENTIATION Lessons are differentiated by outcome and this is reflected in the success criteria and part of each lesson involves the students working independently, freeing up the teacher to offer more one-to-one help to the students who need it. Download this FREE unit now and take control of your workload. HAVE YOU ALSO SEEN…? You may also like my SCRATCH FLASH CARD BUNDLE to help you with your planning.
Understanding Binary
nwilkinnwilkin

Understanding Binary

(0)
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.
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.
Welsh Computer Science Word Wall Display
nwilkinnwilkin

Welsh Computer Science Word Wall Display

(1)
Getting your classroom ready for back to school? Here is a fully editable PowerPoint presentation that contains 60 common computer science words in Welsh and simple student-friendly definitions. They can be displayed as a permanent wall display or you can pick the words to display to compliment your current teaching goals. It is like having a computing dictionary on the walls of your classroom for the students to quickly refer to and can help with spellings of common computer science terminology as well as acting as a reminder of the meanings of computing terms. As it is fully editable you can add to and alter the definitions yourself to make a truly personalised learning wall display for your classes. These terms are suitable for KS3 computing and GCSE computer science classes. Each slide has been adjusted to print on A4 paper and it is recommended you print them in colour for maximum effect. The colours of the key terminology refer to the following categories: Blue – Programming and Algorithms Red – Networks Purple – Computer Systems Green – Cyber security Orange – Binary, Data and Logic With thanks to Dilwyn Owen for the kind translation into Welsh. You can download the English version of this resource from here: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/computer-science-word-wall-display-12168842
Christmas Bitmap Drawing Activity
nwilkinnwilkin

Christmas Bitmap Drawing Activity

(0)
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.
Binary Challenge
nwilkinnwilkin

Binary Challenge

(0)
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.
Moore’s Law
nwilkinnwilkin

Moore’s Law

(0)
A great introduction to understanding Moore’s law and how to convert between different memory sizes. This ready to use lesson will save you hours of preparation and can easily be adapted to meet your own requirements. WHAT IS INCLUDED? Everything you need is included such as: a very high-quality accessible PowerPoint presentation 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 an easy-to-follow editable lesson plan . PRIOR LEARNING This unit does not expect pupils to know about binary but most teachers use this after students have been introduced to the concepts of converting binary to denary. 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 this lesson 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 This lesson is 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 an incredibly high-quality, professionally designed teaching resource that you can use with virtually no preparation. Just click on the BUY NOW button to download it straight away. You’ll wonder how you ever managed without it.
Binary Calculation Worksheets
nwilkinnwilkin

Binary Calculation Worksheets

(0)
A set of binary calculation worksheets covering binary addition, two’s complement binary subtraction, binary shifts and binary multiplication that will save you hours of preparation and can easily be adapted to meet your own requirements. WHAT IS INCLUDED? In this unit you have 10 x 1-page worksheets. This includes 2 different student worksheets for each of the following topics: binary addition 2’s complement binary subtraction with 2’s complement binary shift binary multiplication . You also have a separate answer sheet for each of these worksheets, making 20 documents in all. 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. These flexible binary calculation worksheets can be used to compliment your lessons in a variety of ways such as: homework tasks in-class worksheets revision worksheets . EASY TO USE These ready to use resources are so straightforward and ready to use and best of all, the answers are included saving you time and energy. This makes these worksheets 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 binary calculation worksheets totally editable. Therefore, if you need to use a particular template style for your school, you can change the Word document to suit your needs. If you have students with specific educational needs, you can change the worksheet to suit them. It gives you the flexibility to alter the worksheets to suit your own particular needs. TEACHING TO THE TOP These worksheets 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.
Hexadecimal
nwilkinnwilkin

Hexadecimal

(0)
A great introduction to understanding how to convert between hexadecimal, binary and denary number bases. These ready to use hexadecimal 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 binary to hex and hex to binary Converting hex to denary and denary to hex . 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 a fun puzzle matching game for every lesson which gives students a practical activity to further aid understanding of converting between different number bases an easy-to-follow editable lesson plan for every lesson . PRIOR LEARNING This unit does expect pupils to be familiar with binary and in particular know that: binary is a base 2 number system used by computer systems denary is a base 10 number system used by humans how to translate binary to denary and denary to binary . If your students are unfamiliar with these concepts, I highly recommend purchasing my 2 lesson unit called “Understanding Binary” which covers all of these topics and will ensure your students are ready for this unit. 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. These lessons are highly interactive and engage students straight from the start. 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.
Hexadecimal Puzzles
nwilkinnwilkin

Hexadecimal Puzzles

(0)
This free activity provides a hands-on, practical activity to help your pupils learn about binary to hexadecimal conversion and binary, denary, hex conversions. 2 different puzzles are provided in this resource which are simple to prepare and easy to include in your lessons. SIMPLE HEX PUZZLE In this puzzle pupils need to fit the triangles together so the matching edges are of equal value. One edge will contain a binary number and the other edge will have the corresponding hexadecimal value. Works well as an individual or paired activity. Includes the values from 1 to 15 (1 – F). NUMBER BASES PUZZLE In this puzzle pupils need to fit together squares so the edges match in value. Some are binary values, some are hexadecimal values and some are denary values. This is much harder than the simple hex puzzle and works well as a paired or group activity. Includes the values 0 to 255 (in denary). HOW TO PREPARE THE PUZZLES These are very easy to prepare and can be re-used with multiple classes. You need one printed page for each puzzle you want to use, for instance if you have 30 pupils and want them to work in pairs you will need 15 copies of the puzzle. Print on card or print on paper and laminate for longer durability. Cut into separate shapes along the straight edges and put each set in a separate envelope. Give one envelope to each pair of students and ask them to solve the puzzle. You may want to provide some scrap paper for your students to use to work out the answers, especially for the number bases puzzle. Please note this is a PDF file which cannot be edited. Download this FREE hexadecimal puzzle set today and add it to your teacher toolkit. You’ll be amazed at how effective this activity is at helping your pupils become more confident with converting between different number bases. You may also be interested in these wonderful hexadecimal lessons which include an editable copy of these same puzzles.
Massive Binary Bundle
nwilkinnwilkin

Massive Binary Bundle

8 Resources
A huge bundle of binary lessons and worksheets covering: Understanding Binary (2 lessons including 2 worksheets) suitable for KS3 Data Representation (3 lessons including 3 worksheets) suitable for KS3 Hexadecimal (2 lessons including 2 worksheets) suitable for KS3 or GCSE Binary Calculations (5 Lessons including 5 worksheets) suitable for GCSE and A-Level Moore’s Law (1 lesson including 1 worksheet) suitable for GCSE Additional 11 worksheets on Binary Additional 10 worksheets of Binary calculations Additional 4 worksheets on Hexadecimal . This will give you more than enough content to teach from the very basics of understanding what binary it and converting binary to denary to looking at how text, images and sound are stored in binary and converting to hexadecimal. They also include the more advanced skills of binary addition, 2’s complement, binary subtraction and binary multiplication. Please read the description in each individual resource to find out more. You will save money by buying these resources in a bundle rather than purchasing them as separate resources and also save yourself hours of preparation. EASY TO USE These ready to use lessons 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 the lessons editable. Therefore, if you need to use a particular template style for your school, you can change the PowerPoint presentations 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. These lessons are highly interactive and engage students straight from the start. 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.