These refreshingly different teaching resources enable you to teach great lessons that help your pupils engage with the subject matter. I’m an experienced teacher and 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!
These refreshingly different teaching resources enable you to teach great lessons that help your pupils engage with the subject matter. I’m an experienced teacher and 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 algorithms 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 78-page workbook completely covers the new specification J277 2.1 algorithms theory.
Table of Contents:
Principles of computational thinking
Identify inputs, processes and outputs for a problem
Structure diagrams
Pseudocode
Flow diagrams
Refine programs using Python
Identify common errors
Trace tables
Binary search
Linear search
Bubble sort
Merge sort
Insertion sort
.
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
Programming Fundamentals
Producing Robust Programs
Boolean Logic
Programming Languages and IDEs
This is lesson 1 from a series of 6 lessons which teach pupils computational thinking.
In this lesson pupils learn about decomposition (breaking a large task into smaller chunks to make it easier to manage).
This lesson includes a PowerPoint presentation, fun activities to reinforce their learning and a differentiated homework task. There is also a teacher’s guide containing answers.
For the full 6 lesson unit which also includes an end of unit test and self-assessment student marking sheet use this link https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/computational-thinking-6-lesson-unit-of-work-gcse-computer-science-and-ks3-computing-11597274.
Suitable for GCSE Computer Science classes and KS3 Computing 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 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 resource contains 2 lessons (lessons 5 and 6 from a series of 6) which teach pupils computational thinking.
In these lessons pupils learn how to write pseudocode including INPUT, OUTPUT, IF…THEN, IF…THEN…ELSE, IF…THEN…ELSEIF…ELSE statements and FOR, WHILE and REPEAT UNTIL loops
These lessons include 2 PowerPoint presentations, fun activities to reinforce their learning and 2 differentiated homework tasks. There are also teacher’s guides containing answers.
For the full 6 lesson unit which also includes an end of unit test and self-assessment student marking sheet use this link https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/computational-thinking-6-lesson-unit-of-work-gcse-computer-science-and-ks3-computing-11597274.
Suitable for GCSE Computer Science classes and KS3 Computing 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 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.
Taking over a new year 10 GCSE computer science class? Wanting to find out your current classes Python programming skills? This resource contains a list of practical Python programming challenges which test key aspects of the KS3 national curriculum for text-based programming language.
Pupils are tested on:
Mathematical operators
Data types
Dealing with strings
Loops
If statements
Logical operators
Random numbers
Data structures (lists) and
Sub programs
The pupils are given a worksheet which contains 11 Python programming challenges. They need to work through them attempting the programs and sections they can. If they don’t know how to do something then ask them to move on and try to complete as much of the challenges as they can. This allows you to find out the gaps in their current knowledge.
The results are then entered into a an Excel spreadsheet using a simple system of 0 (not met the criteria) or 1 (met the criteria) that is then converted into a list showing you the pupils current understanding displayed as “Secure” or “Developing”. You can then use this to help you plan future lessons to fill the gaps in their skills.
This practical assessment can be used at the end of Key Stage 3 to help you and pupils when selecting their options or it can be used at the start of their GCSE to assess which areas need to be recapped.
This resource also includes the completed Python programs for all the challenges allowing you to see a possible answer for each challenge making this easier for non-specialists and NQTs who want to have a little more assistance as they build their confidence in Python programming.
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.
This assessment test allows you to assess your pupils against the national curriculum specification for Python programming. It should be used at the end of Key Stage 3 as a summative assessment rather than as a formative assessment.
The national curriculum specifies that by the end of Key stage 3 pupils should have been taught to “use two or more programming languages, at least one of which is textual, to solve a variety of computational problems; make appropriate use of data structures (for example, lists, tables or arrays); design and develop modular programs that use procedures or functions (for example, sub programs).”
This test allows you to assess if your pupils have met this criteria.
It includes a 6 page PDF document which should be printed and given to your pupils to complete under test conditions. There is no practical element to this test and is completed through a written test. This resource also includes a mark scheme to aid the teacher in marking the paper and even includes grade boundaries and descriptions that can assist the teacher when writing pupils’ long reports.
Duration: 1 lesson
This end of unit assessment does assume the pupils have been taught the following areas:
Data types
Syntax errors
Logical and sequence errors
Inputs and outputs
Sequence, selection and iteration
If…else statements
Drawing and understanding flow diagrams
Mathematical operators (+, -, * and /)
Comparison operators (>, <, >=, <=, == and !=)
For loops (count controlled loops)
While loops (condition controlled loops)
Simple lists and 2D lists (data structures)
Sub programs
Passing variables between sub programs and the main program
Local and global variables
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.
This is exceptional value as it includes my “Relational Databases and Structured Query Language (SQL)” workbook and answer book, clear instructions to walk you through installing DB Browser and two databases to practise with. This pack is perfect for students studying for the AQA GCSE (9-1) in computer science and has been updated to completely cover the new specification 8525.
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. As part of that workbook it also includes gives clear, easy to follow instructions for creating an SQL database using DB Browser. It also shows how Python can be used to insert, update and delete data in the SQL database as well as retrieving specific data from the SQL database using select, from, where and order by.
A separate PDF answer booklet is provided giving you all the answers to the tasks in the workbook so you can assign your students the workbook without including the answers.
The 39-page workbook completely covers the new specification 8525 3.7 Relational Databases and Structured Query Language (SQL) section of the AQA (8525) GCSE in Computer Science.
Table of Contents:
Explain the concepts of databases
Relational databases
Table
Record
Field
Primary Key
Foreign key
SQL
SELECT
FROM
WHERE
ORDER BY … ASC / DESC
INSERT INTO
UPDATE
DELETE FROM
.
You may also be interested in these workbooks which have also been updated for the new specification:
Algorithms
Python Programming
Fundamentals of Data Representation
Computer Systems
Fundamentals of Computer Networks
Cyber Security
Ethical, Legal and Environmental Impacts
This systems software 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 17-page workbook completely covers the new specification J277 1.5 systems software theory.
Table of Contents:
The purpose and functionality of systems software
Operating Systems
User Interface
Memory management and multitasking
Peripheral management and drivers
User Management
File Management
Utility system software
Encryption software
Defragmentation
Data Compression
The role and methods of backup
.
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
Ethical, Legal, Cultural and Environmental Impacts
Algorithms
Programming Fundamentals
Producing Robust Programs
Boolean Logic
Programming Languages and IDEs
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
Here are all the packs needed to create 5 attractive displays in your computer room to instant impact and interest for your students.
Buy this bundle of 5 display packs now and instantly brighten your computer room and get a free BONUS pack of word wall posters too.
HOW CAN YOU USE THESE DISPLAY?
This display works well when positioned:
on a display board in your computer room
in the corridor leading to the classroom or
arranged in any other available space on your walls
.
PREPARING THE DISPLAYS
There are 5 complete displays included in this bundle:
Computer Science room lettering
Computer room rules posters
Who’s who is computing timeline
Rubber duck debugging
What does your digital footprint say about you?
.
You have colour and black and white versions. Print only the relevant pages you need for your computer room display. Some pages may require more than one copy.
It is best to print the pages in colour, if you can, but I have included black and white versions too to help you save on printing costs. If you are printing in black and white you may wish to print them onto coloured paper to add a bit of interest in your classroom.
I suggest printing the pages on card or laminating each page before cutting out the sections to give a more professional finish. Carefully cut out the sections and add them to your display space (making sure the letters are the right way up and in the correct order).
I’ve include suggested layouts to give you an idea of how you can display these sections in your computer room however you may want to display it slightly differently to fit the space you have.
What are you waiting for? Buy these ready to use computer room display packs now and get your FREE bonus pack of word wall posters too. They are sure to brighten your classroom.
In this high-quality 6-lesson complete scheme of work, pupils will be introduced to the programming language “Scratch 2”.
Moving sprites using the mouse and keyboard as well as moving automatically around the screen
Repeat and forever loops
If statements and If…else statements
Use sensing tools so sprites can interact with each other
Use questions and answers in programs
Create and use variables to store and manipulate values during the running of programs
Create their own sprites and backgrounds
Use costumes
Apply broadcast messages
This unit is ideal if the pupils have never used Scratch before or have had only very limited experience.
Suitable for KS3 Computing and ICT 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.
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.
