I can verify from first hand experience that PBL kept students highly engaged, and helped them to develop skills such as working with others and independent research.
Read MoreClick the here to see this book on Amazon (affiliate link)
On this day: websites to stimulate computing project ideas
Enjoy exploring these websites for ideas for projects for Computing.
Read More
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.
Read More
Idea! By Terry Freedman
4 websites to stimulate ideas for Computing projects
Four interesting and stimulating websites with which you may not be familiar. Use them to spark discussion about and ideas for Computing projects.
Read More3 education technology blog posts you should check out
A few useful articles that you may not have come across before. They cover:
- project-based learning
- teen depression and cyberbullying and
- how to reduce the possibility of having your training stolen.
Photo from Stencil CC0
8 Reasons to use project-based learning in computing
I’ve long been an advocate of project-based learning, or PBL. Done properly, it can be much richer in terms of learning opportunities, and more fun. I believe it is entirely applicable to the teaching of the new Computing Programme of Study, for the following 8 reasons.
Read More
Don't let this happen to you!
National Backup Day: points for discussion, and 8 potential elements of a Computing project
Some topics to discuss arising from a recent survey, plus a possible Computing project for your kids.
Read MoreArticles on Ed Tech: Retrospective #4
Here's a collection of articles you may have missed, on a variety of subjects including Brexit, Master teachers and ebooks.
Read More
Project-based learning in Computing: micro and mini projects
You can't just give kids half a term to solve a problem and expect them to be able to just get on with it. This article suggests a simple approach that will help them get used to working on projects.
Read More
Working together as equals can produce excellent results. Image from Pixabay.com CC0
My best and worst IT lessons #1: VBA conundrum
In this new series I look at some of my best and worst lessons in ICT and Computing, and analyse what caused them to work -- or not.
Read MoreAssessing project-based learning in Computing
How do you assess project-based learning? John Partridge explains how he has approached this issue.Project-based learning in the Computing curriculum
John Partridge, Assistant Head for eLearning, explains how Computing is taught through a project-based learning approach at his school.
I remember clearly looking at the first draft of the new curriculum and just being totally shocked by the degree of change. It had been clearly signalled that the new draft would be a step-change, but I didn’t appreciate the shift which was about to take place. Almost nothing remained from the previous programme, save a few references to digital resources and, in a later draft, safe use of technology. So it was clear that some serious work was going to be needed to make sure our school adapted.
Preparing for the new Computing curriculum: what if #3
Preparing for the new curriculum doesn’t have to be as difficult as it might look. Here’s a suggestion that you may like to consider, although it won’t be appropriate if you teach very young children.9 Challenges of Project-Based Learning
Although I am an advocate of project-based learning, I am not unaware of its challenges. As the old military adage has it, failure to prepare is preparation to fail, so here is a list of what I consider to be the main issues you need to be aware of. Many of them may be subsumed under the general heading “management”, but I believe it’s worth itemising them all nonetheless.
Read More7 Reasons to use project-based learning in computing
I’ve long been an advocate of project-based learning, or PBL. Done properly, it can be much richer in terms of learning opportunities, and more fun. I believe it is entirely applicable to the teaching of the new Computing Programme of Study, for the following reasons.