Thursday 18 December 2014

Computing Christmas

Click on the links below for Christmas Fun:

Easy
Scratch Games

Decorate a Christmas Tree

Christmas Quizzes

DigiPuzzles


Harder (using actual code)

Add a Christmas Countdown to your blog


Add a Christmas Candle to your blog

Create a Christmas Tree in Python

Make a Scalable Christmas Tree

Tkinter Christmas Graphics


Does Code Run the World???


BBC iWonder - click HERE

Monday 15 December 2014

Inside a Computer

Lesson Objectives

 - to understand the main components that make up a desktop computer

Starter

 



Main

Working in a pair, you have 2 lessons to create your own 'Inside of a Computer' diagram using sugar paper, printed components and clear text labels.

Your computer MUST include at least the following:

1. motherboard 
2. cpu 
3. hard drive 
4. heat sink 
5. graphics/sound card 
6. RAM & ROM
7. power supply




Plenary

Make a note of the cost of the various components you add to your computer construction 

Wednesday 10 December 2014

Hour of Code 8th - 14th Dec 2014




Click HERE to visit our Wildern Hour of Code website.

Gold and Green erefs will be awarded for 
'House Involvement' here.



Friday 5 December 2014

Python Evidence - Session 3 - While Loops

 Using Python Basics - Level 1 
 Chapters 1 & 2

Lesson Objectives

 - use while loops successfully with Python






Starter




Main

Computers are great at repeating tasks, and they can do them REALLY quickly! A while loop will repeatedly run program code while something is true. 

Red Task
Type the following in to Python. 
Q1. What do you notice about the output?



Q2. Why is using a while loop better?


~~~Evidence~~~
1. Write your own short program using BOTH of the methods above 
- print them, stick them in your book and write a note to explain which is best and why


Orange Task
Copy the following explanation into your book:
Structure of a while loop
Try typing in the following code:


Can you write a while loop using one of the following operators?
 - eg while the number is less than 10 print "this number is below 10," 
 - eg while the number is greater than 10 print " this number is greater than 10"


Q3. In your book explain how = is different to == in Python

~~~Evidence~~~ 
1. Write 3 short programs of your own that use a  while loop
- try to use 3 different operators from the table above
 - print them, stick them in your book and write a note to explain each one


Green Task
Write a program that will print the Times Table up to 12

Extension
can you write it as a Function named -  def Tables



Blog Post (to finish for hwk)
Add the following notes/code snippets to your  blog entitled
 '
Using a  while loop' 

Plenary

Thursday 4 December 2014

Code Academy Login

All GCSE Computer Science students now have a GCSE login for the Code Academy Python course.

Get your login details from Mrs Palmer - your progress will be tracked.

Wednesday 3 December 2014

CPU

Lesson Objectives

To identify the basic function of the CPU
To understand the different parts of the CPU and their roles


Starter
Watch the starter videos on CPUs Education Portal - trial only






 
Main Task 

1. Basic CPU simulation - CLASS ACTIVITY

2. Answer the following questions on your blog:


Red Task
  • What does CPU stand for?
  • What does the CPU do?
  • What are the different parts of the CPU?
  • What do EACH of these different parts do?
Orange Task
  • What is the clock speed? How is it measured? Why is this important? 
  • What is meant by Dual Core and Quad Core?
Green Task
  • Where is the CPU located within the computer?
  • Is it better to buy a computer with more cores or faster clock speed? Explain.
  • Any useful facts / images about the CPU that you can find

Useful Websites:


Extension
Make notes on your blog on the 
Fetch Decode Execute Cycle


Plenary

Test your knowledge HERE, HERE, and HERE

Wednesday 26 November 2014

Memory - Volatile / Non-Volatile / Virtual / Cache

Lesson Objectives

To understand the difference between Volatile and Non-Volatile Memory
To exlpain what Virtual Memory is and how it is created

Starter

Start a new Blog post entitled Memory - Volatile and Non-Volatile. 
Write a brief definition for each on your Blog to explain the difference between the two.

Useful website HERE

Main Tasks

Red Task
Add to the same blog post the following subheadings and answer the questions

1. ROM – non-volatile memory
 - what’s so special about it?
 - where is it found?
 - how is it better than HDD or SSD?


2. RAM – volatile memory
 - where is it found?
 - what is SRAM and DRAM?


3. Virtual Memory
 - what is it?
 - how does it work?


4. Cache Memory
 - where is it positioned?
 - why is it so special?


Orange Task
Use your www.examtime.com account to make some flashcards for ROM, RAM, Volatile Memory, Non-Voltaile Memory, Virtual Memory and Cache Memory.


Green Task
Work through the DRAG and DROP Exercises HERE

Extension Task: 

What is meant by the terms Static RAM(SRAM) and Dynamic RAM(DRAM)



Plenary

Test your knowledge and beat the clock HERE


Friday 21 November 2014

Python Evidence - Session 2 - Maths

 Using Python Basics - Level 1 
 Chapters 1 & 2

Lesson Objectives

 - use maths operators successfully in Python






Starter
Read the Maths section on pg 19 and 20


Main

Python is great for maths tasks, today you will investigate some of it's powerful tools.

Red Task
Explain the difference in outputs between / (divide normal) and // (divide integer)?

~~~Evidence~~~
1. Write a short program that makes use of both  / and //  
- print it , stick it in your book and write a note to explain the difference


Orange Task
Combining text and maths - copy the code on pg 21


~~~Evidence~~~ to edit
1. Write a short prgram of your own that uses  %modulus  
- print it , stick it in your book and write a note to explain it's purpose


Green Task
Add two new posts to your blog showing what you have covered in the last two sessions

Blog Posts (to finish for hwk)
Add the following notes/code snippets to your  blog
- understanding how to change the layout of text on screen \n, \t, \\, \" 
 - using maths operators successfully in Python -, *, +, /, //, %
Plenary
Further reading - http://learnpythonthehardway.org/book/ex3.html

Python Evidence - Session 1 - Text

Using Python Basics - Level 1 
Chapters 1 & 2


Lesson Objectives

 - understand how to change the layout of text on screen





Starter
Identifying Errors


Main

In Python there are lots of ways you can manipulate the layout of text on the screen.

Red Task
What do you think \n does?



~~~Evidence~~~
1. Write a short program that makes use of  \n  
- print it , stick it in your book and write a note to explain it's purpose




Orange Task
Experiment with some of these other tools, known as 'escape sequences'


~~~Evidence~~~
1. Write a short program that makes use of  \t , \\ , and \"  
- print it , stick it in your book and write a note to explain their purpose


Green Task
Write a program to produce the following EXACTLY as shown below:


Video Clip - http://youtu.be/UsCQXe1OHZk

Plenary

Wednesday 19 November 2014

HDD and SSD Storage

Lesson Objectives
 - to understand the difference between HDD and SDD storage




Starter



On a post-it write down what you understand by these terms 


Main

See lesson presentation HERE


Red Task
Use the links below to find out about Hard Disk Drives and Solid State Drives



BLOG POST
Add a post to your Blog to explain the differences between HDD and SSD - give advantages/disadvantages for each


Orange Task

Find out the typical storage capacity today of the following:


CD, DVD, Blue Ray, HDD, SSD, USB Memory Stick


Green Task
Log on to ICTworkout.co.uk and complete 3 exercises from the Storage Devices section

BLOG POST
Add a  snipping of ONE of your completed exercises to your blog

Plenary

Explain to a partner the difference between HDD and SSD and give ONE advantage of each

Monday 10 November 2014

Storage Devices

Lesson Objectives

- identify different types of Storage Devices
describe and explain the fundamental pieces of hardware required to make a functioning computer system

Starter



Complete the Storage Devices sheet

Click HERE  for help with this task









Main
Red Task
Watch the following video on Storage Devices and make notes for your blog:



Orange Task
Create a Powtoon or Postermywall presentation on Storage Devices - see criteria below:

Green Task
Add to your powtoon a screen that explains the difference between a Hard Drive and a Solid State Drive



Useful Links:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/guides/zxgkxnb/revision/6
http://computer.howstuffworks.com/solid-state-drive.htm
http://uk.pcmag.com/storage-devices-reviews/8061/feature/ssd-vs-hdd-whats-the-difference



Extension
For Computing Quizzes click 
HERE

Plenary

Key words spellings

Wednesday 5 November 2014

Hardware - Inputs/Outputs

Lesson Objectives
 - identify common input and output devices
 - create a Pinterest board of peripheral devices

Starter
Input/Outputs sheet


Main
1. Look at the following websites to consolidate your understanding of Input and Outputs
BBC Bitesize
Teach-ICT

2. Set up an account on pinterest.com and create a board on input and output devices.


 






Plenary
Add a link to your Inputs and Outputs board on your Computer Science blog.
Take the Inputs/Outputs TEST

Wednesday 22 October 2014

Python Challenge 12

Lesson Objectives

 - identify the Inputs, Processes and Outputs of a simple program
 - document the planning by creating a flowchart for the program


Starter

Read through Python Challenge 12
A gardener needs to buy some turf for a project they are working on. The garden is rectangular with a circular flower bed in the middle. Ask for the dimensions of the lawn and the radius of the circle. Calculate and display the amount of turf needed to re turf the garden. Test your program with several different sets of dimensions.

Your Task
Identify the InputsProcesses and Outputs for this problem


Main

1. Create a flowchart using draw.io to plan your solution
2. Build your solution in Python
3. Test your solution using a variety of dimensions 


Ext
What happens if the user enters a larger circle than rectangle?

Plenary

Add your flowchart and a screenshot of your code to your blog with a post title Python Challenge 12

Tuesday 21 October 2014

GCSEComputing - Ethical, Environmental and Legal

COVER WORK -
Lesson Objectives

 - understand the legislation involved with Computing
 - describe the ethical issues faced by computer users and developers


Starter

Computing Quizzes - click HERE


Main

Read through and make notes on your blog from THIS page.
Be sure your notes include:
 - Computer Misuse Act
 - Data Protection Act
 - Copyright Designs Act



Plenary

What do you think are some of the biggest ethical issued faced by software engineers when creating new software.

Thursday 16 October 2014

History of Computing Task

Lesson Objectives

 - identify key people and events in Computing History

Starter

Quiz - click HERE to test your knowledge

Main

Using software of your choice, create a presentation, suitable for Y7 & Y8 students to inform them about 3 key people and 3 key events in the History of Computing.

 - Brainstorm possible software
 - Brainstorm considerations for that target audience eg. language

Plenary

Review a peer's work so far  - WWW? EBI?

Friday 10 October 2014

Computing Challenge - BBS School Report

Interested in getting involved in an exciting new challenge that will test your computing skills?

Click on the link below:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schoolreport/29046403

See Mr Cullen for more details

Tuesday 7 October 2014

History of Computers

Lesson Objectives
 - identify key events and key people in the History of Computer Systems
 


  

Who are these people and what are they famous for?

Starter

History of Computers Wordsearch

Main


Do some research on the History of Computers.

Save and complete these Questions


Plenary
Save and complete this Sorting Activity

See the Computing Timeline

Monday 6 October 2014

Blogs to Follow

To help you keep up with information from around the school please can you add the following blogs to your reading list.

First log into your school email then click on reading list below

 




To add these blogs to your reading list simply copy the URL and click follow 



Follow the schools revision site

http://year-11-revision.blogspot.co.uk/



The ICT Department

http://wildernschoolict.blogspot.co.uk/


Wildern eSafety


http://wilderne-safety.blogspot.co.uk/



Your Computer Science teacher

http://mspalmer.co.uk


Wildern Radio


http://wildernradioheads.blogspot.co.uk/



Your House

http://alba-house.blogspot.co.uk/

http://bedford-house.blogspot.co.uk/

http://driscollhouseblog.blogspot.co.uk/

http://jubilee-house.blogspot.co.uk/

http://paxtonhouse.blogspot.co.uk/

http://sovereign-house.blogspot.co.uk/