4 things I've learnt about assessing Computing and ICT

June 7, 2016

Assessing pupils' ability in Computing or ICT is not easy. Here are four things I've learnt about it.

7 reasons to teach coding through problem-solving

June 6, 2016

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.

A history lesson, circa 1991. What are the small things that helped to make the atmosphere so vibrant?

Quick wins in the Computing classroom

June 3, 2016

You don't need to spend a fortune or wait for years in order to make some big improvements in your school's Computing provision.

Computing discussion topic 2016-05-25: The algorithm that is too effective

May 25, 2016

Here's an example of a computer program that prevents people buying stuff, based on their address.

A word cloud of the GCSE options that schools are offering in Computing and related subjects

Computing options at GCSE: interim survey results

May 24, 2016

What are schools going to be offering their students by way of Computing options at GCSE? Here are the initial results of a survey I'm conducting.

Computing discussion topic 2016-05-23

May 23, 2016

A topic to discuss with your students perhaps: the hidden bias in algorithms.

Will he dictate even more of what you see?

Immersive journalism: a VR nightmare?

May 20, 2016

VR technology has come of age (more or less) and suggests some exciting possibilities. But how will reportage be affected, and is it wholly a good thing?

10 things to do in 5 minutes in your computer lessons

May 18, 2016

What can your students do in the odd five minutes in computing lessons? Here are ten suggestions.

7 must-attend conferences for ed tech teachers

May 6, 2016

UPDATED! Here are 7 conferences that will appeal to any ed tech teacher wishing to improve their practice and broaden their horizons.

Such a shame that we can't look inside kids' heads. It would make assessment so much easier!

5 articles on assessment and assessing computing

April 28, 2016

How to assess pupils in Computing, marking, evaluation -- here are 5 articles that I hope you'll find challenging, thought-provoking and perhaps even useful!

Crosswords and coding

April 25, 2016

If you like coding, you should enjoy doing cryptic crosswords too. If it was good enough for Alan Turing...

Oh joy! The next issue of Digital Education is out today!

Coming soon: Digital Education!

April 21, 2016

Another bumper edition of the Digital Education newsletter! Due out later today.

My 10-point marking strategy

April 19, 2016

Marking is an important part of assessment, but it need not be unduly arduous.

Robot editor up against a deadline -- by Terry Freedman

AI: Could a bot write your next book?

April 13, 2016

What's the role of artificial intelligence in the writing of books, games and apps?

Hollywood here I come. Or maybe not. Picture from pixabay.com CC0

Terry's 2 minute tips #1 Marking with coloured pens

April 12, 2016

Is marking with different coloured pens a good idea? That's the topic I cover in this edition of Terry's 2 Minute Tips.

An observation sheet should be more than a checklist. Picture from www.pixabay.com CC0

The checklist approach to assessment

April 7, 2016

An interesting article on assessment in an Australian magazine for teachers leaves a few questions to be answered.

David Brown gets to the heart of the matter

Ofsted's views of the Computing curriculum

March 14, 2016

David Brown, Ofsted's National Lead for Computing, answers some common questions.

For those not in Britain, Ofsted is the Office for Standards in Education, aka the inspectorate.

15 reasons to use education technology in your classroom

March 11, 2016

Here's a list of benefits of using education technology in lessons.

STEM and Governmental micromanagement

March 9, 2016

The Department of Education's recent "clarification" on the deployment of exclamation marks has taken micromanagement to a new level. They've issued edicts on textbooks and worksheets, now exclamation marks. Will they turn to the Computing curriculum next?

Should kids dictate the lesson? Photo from Pixabay.com CC0

6 reasons that computing lessons shouldn't be driven by kids

March 4, 2016

The idea of allowing kids to decide what they learn in Computing lessons is simply wrong.

Recent book reviews

Review: One for maths teachers

This wide-ranging book takes in probability, fractals, astronomy, Babbage, Lovelace and a host of other areas and people.

Reviews: Two for History teachers

Two books on the Nazi era.

Review: One for English teachers

No book about the craft of writing seems complete without a stern chapter on the importance of eschewing adverbs and adjectives - but what to put in their place?

Review: The Great Formal Machinery Works: Theories of Deduction and Computation at the Origins of the Digital Age

If you’re of a mathematical bent this could be just the book to delve into.

Review: How to lie with statistics

Although this book is over 60 years old, it is remarkably apposite for our times -- and especially in the fields of educational research and assessing pupils' understanding and progress.

Review of Blueprints

I submitted my review of this book to Teach Secondary magazine, an educational magazine in the UK. The first review is what the magazine published. The second one is what I actually wrote! In substantive terms there is little difference between the two, but you may find it interesting to see what the editor altered.

Filming in progress by Terry Freedman.jpg

On this day: Review of the Flip Video

This seems like a hundred years ago! Since the introduction of the Flip Pocket Video Recorder a couple of years ago, several variations on the theme have been put on the market, both by rivals and Flip themselves.

Review: Cabinet of Curiosity - Developing a Superpower

School life ought to consist of far more than just a utilitarian pursuit of exam grades over all other considerations.

Review: Dr Bot - Why Doctors Can Fail Us-and How Al Could Save Lives

In this comprehensive and highly readable Dr Bot, Blease tackles a wide range of issues, including some that are apposite for those working in schools.

Review: Books A Manifesto - Or, How to Build a Library

A compelling read that's bound to make even the most well-read among us feel somewhat under-educated.