Computer Programming

In this weeks session we looked at computer programming in the primary school.  Children can engage with programming from the Foundation Stage, through to Year 6. It is important for children to experience programming from a young age, and for this to progress throughout primary school.

2go

 In the Early Years setting children are learning about cause and effect, making things happen.  A good example for exploring this is the software 'Target and Touch' from inclusive technology. Target and Touch is designed to help children learn to use a touch screen, and is an ideal introduction to early ICT.  The software uses patterns and music on colourful grids to demonstrate cause and effect.  For KS1 children, an example is the 2simple software '2go' which is great for teaching children the basics of control programming.  The software allows children to explore directions, which would be great to build on work I talked about in the last post- using beebots or floor turtles.
 
2Do-It-Yourself is a good one, as it goes from Foundation Stage to Year 6.  On it you can create activities, games, puzzles and quizzes.  By Year 6 the children can make levelled games, which you can open in smart notebook for the children to play.

Any of the 2simple software can be found at www.2simple.com


When modelling in ICT we need to get children to think about 'What happens if...' For example, if we are programming a probot, or using software such as LOGO, and we say what will happen if we enter forward 5, right 90 and we repeat it 4 times.  Children will start to make predictions and test things out.  In todays session we looked at programming using MSW Logo and scratch.

Logo


Logo is a computer programming language commonly used in education.  You enter commands which direct a 'pen' and so draws a line.  By entering these commands, the children can make shapes, or repeated patterns.  Children will need to think about what commands to enter in order to draw the shape they want, and then test this out.  The idea behind logo is that it can be used by novices, but also meets the needs of those who are more advanced.  Logo would be great for using in numeracy: logo commands could be introduced to pupils as they learn how to construct simple shapes.  They could then investigate the rules for drawing any regular polygons, and think about angles.  MSW Logo can be downloaded for free at http://mswlogo.en.softonic.com/ and ideas for using the software can be found at http://www.kenttrustweb.org.uk/kentict/kentict_ct_logo.cfm

Screen Shot of Logo

Scratch

Scratch is great for beginners.  The software allows you to programme the character, or 'sprite', to move in different directions, to turn, to make sounds etc.  The left part of the screen has scripts (e.g. 'move___steps forward', 'turn____degrees') making it simple for the user to programme the sprite.  These scripts, or 'blocks' are organized into eight groups: movement, looks, sound, pen, control, sensing, operators, and variables. Different kinds of blocks have different colors and shapes.  Scratch, like Logo, is great for allowing children to plan, test and modify a sequence of instructions.

Screen Shot of Scratch

 That's it for this week...next week, more computer programming!