How to run your class like a Video game!

John Hattie says, "Video games know exactly what your prior achievement is, they then set success criteria not too much and not too little above it, but unlike many classrooms they don't change the success criteria. They don't say, ahh you're not doing very well or we'll make it easier. They keep it and then they make you practise until you get and once you get it, they raise the bar and that's a good teacher, a teacher who knows where you are, how to set the bar and not change it."  A very interesting interview on Radio 4 with John Hattie. Well worth your time and available internationally.  Also check out my article on Visible Learning.

We need a plan for Primary Computing right now!

After the summer, every school in the UK should be teaching Computing and this is a great challenge for many primary teachers who had enough difficulty with the requirements of older curriculum to do sequencing.   If you are a teacher with enthusiasm for Computing then you will enjoy finding the apps and playing with Scratch and even Shaun The Sheep to deliver a truly engaging curriculum. However this is a blog entry for head teachers who need a plan and they need a plan now!

These are the options that can be bought right now, both have free samples so you can give them a try and see if they are worth ordering.  If money is an issue, I would priorities Upper Key Stage 2, because this is where it gets most complicated and much of lower curriculum can be covered with a few apps, turtles and Maths that is familiar.

iCompute

http://www.icompute-uk.com/Sample.html 

Written by Liane O'Kane who is a primary computer science master teacher teach computer science to primary pupils of all ages and train teachers in how to teach computing.  The total cost for all of the packs is £600, which is substantial but includes all the planning needed.

Switched on Computing

http://www.switchedoncomputing.co.uk/

This is written by Miles Berry, who has had many years of experience in NAACE and with Computing at School. The full pack costs £965.  There are discounts available if you bought Switched on ICT.