Category: Programming

iPad Apps for Coding and Programming KS2,3,4

4/20/2014

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A great and varied selection of free and paid apps available on iPad to engage and teach learners how to code and program.

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Counting Binary with Cups

1/6/2014

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I am always looking for interesting and exciting ways to teach computing concepts to students. Engagement is a key to making learning memorable and therefore easier to understand and recall. This post looks at how to create a Binary counting machine from plastic drinks cups.

You will need:
9 large plastic cups
A marker pen
A pinch of binary logic

Step One

Join the cups together as shown in the picture, they will need to turn, this can be made easier by lining up the joins on the cups.

Step Two

Across the top row write the Binary Values, 1,2,4,8,16,32,64,128. Underneath each value write a zero. The trick here is to be neat and line up the digits.

Step Three

Under the zeros add a row of ones. Again neatness and equal spacing is essential to ensure that the digits will all be lined up when the cups are turned.

Step Four

The final step is the add the two indicators as shown in the picture. The first is the read here, which i where the user lines up the binary values. The binary where the user reads the binary code.

Reading the Cups

To read the binary code simply turn the Binary Values until you have the total value that your want, for example 41 (32 +8+1)
Then read the Binary Code from the third line. The process can be reversed and students can create a Binary Code and then work out the decimal value.

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Why programming is important, Yr8 students view

7/23/2013

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STUDENTS CLICK WITH COMPUTER PROGRAMMING...

Programming. Just a few years ago, only computer technicians and software designers would know their variable from their dialogue box, but last Tuesday, a group of Year 8 students were taught how to create a basic programme, or even a game in under one and a half hours.

Using a piece of software called EasyGui and Python, all 20 children had fun designing whatever tickled their fancy. Enthusiastic programmer, James Turner said, “It’s great because it teaches us things we might not learn in normal lessons, and I’m interested in widening my knowledge.”

But why? It may be enjoyable, but there is a deeper reason for this digital delight. Computing teacher, Mr Aldred explains,

“Programming is an important and valuable part of modern life, but the main thing is that it gets them to think.”

Student Dan Rainer agrees “It will help me in later life because I’m interested in this subject.”

But will, in just a decade’s time, there be a bunch of computer technicians from Thirsk, inspired by Mr Aldred’s programming enrichment day? Mr Aldred hopes so.

The door opens as the software designers of the future stroll out of the airy computer room for their lunch.

By Aidan Tulloch, Cameron Peacock, and Millie Cuthbert

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iPad Apps for Coding and Programming KS2,3,4

A great and varied selection of free and paid apps available on iPad to engage and teach learners how to code and program.

Counting Binary with Cups

Why programming is important, Yr8 students view

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