Delighted to record that I have been awarded the BCS Certificate in Secondary Computer Science Teaching - my thanks to LPA for providing the experience and guidance to achieve this key qualification. As a separate, but related, enterprise I have also been made a STEM facilitator for the National Centre for Computing Excellence (NCCE). This means that I can help to deliver the new…
The high security screen saver has been compromised: busy hands have been adding fish galore! at least these fish can't be overfed.!
..when your son is so determined to have some bonus screen time, he builds his own computer out of wood and paper.!
Testing out a Crowd Beamer unit lent to us by the parent of a pupil. It transmits the video signal (though not the audio) via a dedicated WiFi channel which pupils can then view, zoom in to and capture on their own devices.
Thanks to Andy Andy Andrew Mark and Paul for a great welcome to their Raspberry Jam, hosted at the Waterworth building of the University of Gloucestershire, Cheltenham campus. We demonstrated the Cigar Box Computer in action and enjoyed trying out the Raspberry Pi creations that were on display. Space Invaders, using three micro-switches Paul has built the most amazing assortment of security equipment…
One week to go until the first large scale TG gathering of teachers and Computing Coordinators at LPA to hatch our plans to improve the experience for pupils as they move from Key Stage 2 to Key Stage 3. That vital interface point would benefit from a new dialogue - and we hope to provide it! Everyone is invited, we will remain open…
Thanks to Beverly, Shirley and the team for a fascinating series of lectures and workshops in the beautiful surrounds of Plymouth University. I came away feeling ever more inspired to take Computing further, and to broaden what we can offer in schools A first play with Code Bug.. Code Bug, it transpires, is capable of producing 9 data sets and…
..and a relay unit.. Beginning to run out of room in the box now! Amazingly the Rav power block continues to provide sufficient mw and voltage level. Had to dissassemble the Pi 3B to reach the camera connector. Added a double height pin rack for the GPIO to allow access to the pins even with the Astro Pi / Sense Hat reattached.…
Now that the Year 11s are beginning to unpack what is possible with connectivity kit that is new to them, it is fascinating to see how quickly they can comprehend the potential applications - cue notebooks out for initial design diagrams..
Having enjoyed sharing this with Primary School pupils quite a few times, now it is time to see what Secondary School pupils make of it: answer they mastered the Kodu When / Do system at lightening pace then proceeded to apply the Microbit control to make a first-person jet flying game in an impressively quick jump - the sky is no limit to…
With some of the new circuitry that I have extracted form old toys being in need of higher current switching than I would like to strain a Pi GPIO with, tis time for a relay or two..
because a Pi surely needs to be portable! (note attached Circuit Playground Express - see links for details)
Take on Pi 3B+ and add an Adafruit GPIO header then solder wires for plugging into newly attached breadboard.. the joys of labeling!
farewell to Delicious (now read-only) and hello to Tagpacker - I will keep the links coming.. *thanks to everyone who has made site recommendations to me over the years - a veritable plethora awaiting!