Given how much there already is to cover in the computing curriculum, why spend time exploring programming languages that are, so to speak, way off the beaten track?
Read MoreEsoteric programming languages (Revisited)
Programming languages are meant to be useful, right? I mean, I didn’t miss a memo or anything? That’s what I thought too. However…
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Just because everyone says something is good, doesn't mean it is.
Making and programming
Is 'making' really an effective -- or cost-effective -- way of learning programming?
Read MoreReview: The Self-Taught Computer Scientist: The beginner’s guide to data structures & algorithms
As its name suggests, this book is aimed at those who want to teach themselves computer science.
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Review: A student’s guide to Python for physical modelling
The book’s primary concern is enabling Python to be used for manipulating and plotting large datasets, dealing with image “noise” and other advanced topics.
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Nothing esoteric about this! VB example, by Terry Freedman
Esoteric programming languages
Programming languages are meant to be useful, right? I mean, I didn’t miss a memo or anything? That’s what I thought too. However…
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On this day #20: Digital literacy and "coding"
Is being digitally literate synonymous with being able to code?
Read MoreOn this day #13: Welcome back, VBA!
To borrow from Mark Twain, reports of the death of Visual Basic for Applications as a viable programming language to teach in schools are exaggerated.
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HEMS, by Terry Freedman
Set trivial assignments for students of Computing stuck at home
Why set students real-world, life-changing, humanity-saving problems when trivial challenges are likely to prove equally, if not more, useful?
Read MoreBett2020: Python in Pieces
Python in Pieces is a visual interface for the Python programming language.
Read MoreA self-marking spreadsheet UPDATED
I like a challenge so I thought I’d try to create a self-marking spreadsheet in Excel. I was inspired to have a go at this by someone called Lee Rymill, who uploaded a self-marking spreadsheet to the CAS resources area. However, I wanted to take it a few steps further, using the Visual Basic for Applications programming language.
Read MoreBook review: How to think like a coder
This book aims to teach you how to think like a coder, rather then merely learning how to code. How far does it succeed?
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BBC Basic screen, by Terry Freedman
Make your own: where programming is relevant, useful and fun
To learn programming, it’s best to have some real problems which need solving. This article looks at several examples of the applications I’ve created, and why.
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Spending checker, by Terry Freedman
How to introduce primary school pupils to the basics of programming -- using spreadsheets
Spreadsheets have been dismissed by some people as boring, old hat, and about “only” office skills. Those people are wrong! In this article I look at how you can use spreadsheets to start teaching children about some programming concepts.
Read MoreMaking and coding
Is 'making' really an effective -- or cost-effective -- way of learning programming? Guest contributor Derek Blunt has his doubts.
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Shakespeare is alive and well!
Ode to Code
"I wonder if it's possible to write a poem about coding", I thought to myself. Well, it is, and here it is. First Chaucer, then Shakespeare, and now me. No doubt schoolchildren of the future will be studying this for their Eng Lit exams, but in the meantime you can read it here first! Enjoy.
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7 reasons to teach coding through problem-solving
Should you start with the raw components when teaching coding, or get the kids problem-solving immediately? This article argues in favour of the latter.
Read MoreWelcome back, VBA!
To borrow from Mark Twain, reports of the death of Visual Basic for Applications as a viable programming language to teach in schools are exaggerated.
Read MorePupils don't always benefit from doing it themselves
We all know and love the concept of learning by doing. Because of that, many teachers get pupils to type out a program, create a Scratch program or populate a spreadsheet or database themselves. However, there are a number of problems that can arise from this approach.
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