Digital Leaders

Oct 1 2016

BBC Micro:bit quests

We are on track to *finally* get our BBC Micro:bits out to our Year 8s… this is how we are going to do it … and we are excited about the Grok Learning Quest challenges for after half term.

Our Digital Leaders are trained up using out 3 step programme www.gr8ict.com/bbc_microbit More

By Chris Sharples • bbc #microbit, Code Club, Computer Science, Digital Leaders •

Sep 3 2016

Tools to use for CompSci

Here I summarise my findings and decisions for the best software to be using for CompSci GCSE:

I set all my students the first 28 exercises of Codecademy’s Python course. I used the excellent classroom tracking tool to see the progress made during the holidays and made a few timely phone calls to ensure as many as possible were up to date by our first lesson of the term.
Python, Pygame and TkInter. How to install here.
Google Docs (and developing Google Classroom).

By Chris Sharples • Digital Leaders •

Jun 28 2016

Talks for STEM and CAS Yorks Humberside Computing Conference – Wednesday 29th June 2016

Using the Raspberry Pi in Code Clubs and the Curriculum – click to go to slides

“This session will provide an introduction to the Raspberry Pi and first-hand experience of setting up a Pi-Lab. Then some thoughts on how it fits in with the KS3 curriculum as well as Code Clubs. The second half of the session will be hands-on using a Raspberry Pi for an example KS3 lesson”.

Developing Digital Leaders to Support Computing – click to go to slides

“Digital Leaders can mean many things but this session will help you gain insights into how students can help you with implementing an effective computing curriculum. You will be shown stages of developing Digital Leaders and given time to discuss and plan how you might develop their use in your school including running Code Clubs”.

By Chris Sharples • Computer Science, computing, Conference, Digital Leaders, RaspberryPi •

Apr 29 2016

Digital Leaders’ Year 7 #BBC Micro:bit Project

From the beginning, I never wanted to just give out 150 Micro:bits to Year 7s and hope good things would happen. Whether it’s staff or students, there has to be a strategy to engage people and build capacity. This is ours…

There were no Micro:bits after the official training. We bought 6 code bugs and Y8 Digital Leaders had their first taste of online coding and downloading hex files onto devices.

They did a tremendous job of showing Year 6s at the Opening Evening too.

We then brought in keen Year 7s through the Code Club, with peer training:

By Chris Sharples • bbc #microbit, Code Club, Computer Science, Digital Leaders •

Mar 16 2016

Talks for Computing Conference 2016 – Leeds Learning Partnership

“Digital Leaders in Primary and Secondary”
– Developing Young People as well as the Technology

Raspberry Pi – Hardware and Classroom Management

Link to worksheet for pelican crossing

By Chris Sharples • #dlchat, #DLOpenBadges, Computer Science, computing, Conference, Digital Leaders, Physical Computing, RaspberryPi •

Jan 24 2016

#dlchat Storify for #BETT2016

By Chris Sharples • #dlchat, BETT, Digital Leaders •

Jan 21 2016

How we help Teachers and other Students use #edtech effectively – Digital Leaders in Schools from across the UK” #BETT2016

Lady Lumley’s School, North Yorkshire – @gr8ict /Chris Sharples (Secondary) – confirmed 20/10/15
Title – “How Digital Leaders run cracking coding Clubs”
https://docs.google.com/a/ladylumleys.net/presentation/d/1XDE-fyjLTvPN1R4JcBL39oTxi5_oifaUkubXnIG3ouw/edit?usp=sharing
Description – with so much change within Computing at present, a key requirement is to build capacity for learning programming. Y9 LLS DLs will talk about setting up Raspberry Pi’s and using them for Y9 Code Club and then in lessons. Y7 LLS DLs to talk about setting up Y7 Code Club with the approach of the BBC Microbit. They will also mention Makewaves ( 2016 BETT winner for ICT Innovator of the Year) and DL #openbadges.

Recreation Road Infant School, Norwich – Louise Stone (Infants)
Title “Infant Digital Leaders – Getting to Grips with Gadgets” More

By Chris Sharples • #dlchat, #DLOpenBadges, bbc #microbit, BETT, Code Bug, Code Club, Computer Science, Conference, Digital Leaders, Digital Leaders Network, KS3_ICT, KS4_ICT, Makewaves, Physical Computing, Programming, RaspberryPi •

Jan 20 2016

#BETT2016 and #OpenBadges Slow #dlchat Jan 21-28th 2016

@Shelibb’s background to slow #dlchat

Qu.1
If you (and Digital Leaders) have been to BETT16, what did you find useful – pls cd you link to blogposts.

Qu.2
Can you (and Digital Leaders) link to the reflections of Digital Leaders having been to BETT16? Can we get comments between DLs and their findings in different schools…

Qu.3
Any reflections on how to improve teaching of Computing as a result of BETT16 (even if you haven’t been, there should be lots of useful findings for you from the hashtag #bett2016 )

Qu.4
Any reflections on Hardware as a result of BETT16 (even if you haven’t been, there should be lots of useful findings for you from the hashtag #bett2016 )

Qu.5
Any thoughts on the use of Digital Leader #OpenBadges in the next few months – including new level 3 badges. Especially as @makewavestweets win the BETT16 Innovator of the Year Award.

By Chris Sharples • #dlchat, #DLOpenBadges, BETT, Digital Leaders •

Nov 19 2015

Ways that Students/Digital Leaders can help with #computing / #dlchat Nov 19th ’15

Background – Digital Leader Roadmap

Qu.1
When did you first introduce #computing into your curriculum lessons? and with what examples?

Qu.2
How have students (not necessarily DLs) helped in #computing lessons? Have they added in ways you could not do on your own?

Qu.3
Do you run a code club? What sorts of activities have you covered? More

By Chris Sharples • #dlchat, #DLOpenBadges, Digital Leaders, Digital Leaders Network, KS3_ICT, Physical Computing •

Nov 12 2015

Digital Leaders running Y7 Code Club

Seeing as LLS Year 8 Digital Leaders welcome the Y7s tomorrow to try out Code Bugs, I thought I would start a post explaining our progress which will culminate in a talk at BETT16 in the main arena.

1. BBC #microbit roadshow:

By Chris Sharples • bbc #microbit, Code Bug, Code Club, Computer Science, computing, Digital Leaders, KS3_ICT, Physical Computing, Programming, RaspberryPi •