Free Vector Drawing Tools

If you want to do some vector drawing then there's a wide range of tools available:

• Draw in Google Docs - very simple to use and available online 
• Dia is good if you're after a download. 
• Libreoffice has a nice drawing package included too
• Scratch has some basic vector drawing tools and is great for interactive stories

Inkscape is also very good, but I find it too complicated for most primary students. I would also like to mention that PowerPoint 2013, because it's free functionality if you already have office. It has a complete set of vector tools which I'd say are as good as older versions of illustrator. I use it to teach my year 4 students drawing and animation and they love it.

When to teach what in Primary Computer Science

There are a lot of concepts in Computer Science and it is important to teach them in a sensible sequence. This post is for primary children, for Secondary the planning is well defined in the Compute IT series. (I am one of the authors)  So here are some of the tools that I use and when I use them.

UK Year group	Age	What I use
1	5-6	Beebots & iPad Apps
2	6-7
3	7-8	Lego WeDo / Scratch & Scratch Jnr
4	8-9
5	9-10	Scratch, html (via webmaker.org/tools & Blue Griffon)
6	10-11

This is really just an idea of the tools I use and I also ensure children have a good grounding in core ICT skills. In the 21st century, ideally we should cover all angles. We don't want Computing students at University who can't write an essay in Word or explain a project with appropriate slides!  Below is a much more thorough presentation taking you through most of the tools available that I gave at the 21st century learning conference.

If you are looking for a ready made curriculum, check out my Ready Made Curriculum post.

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. 

Light Bot 2.0 Great for developing logical thinking

It is great when something is fun, free and really educational. Light Bot 2.0 is all of those things and really gets you thinking about the best way to solve some quite fiendish problems. You can play the game at: http://armorgames.com/play/6061/light-bot-20  Please note the site is supported by advertising, some of which may not be suitable for younger children.

There is also an hour of code edition, which is advert free, here: http://light-bot.com/hocflash.html

There are also apps to buy too: http://light-bot.com/

Great job at teaching children Computational Thinking!

Using Scratch to Teach Key Stage 2 Computing

KS2 Curriculum

The new UK Key Stage 2 Curriculum Provides a wealth of opportunities for a large number of pieces of software, but Scratch is in an excellent place to meet many of the programming based learning Outcomes. This page may look incredibly simple, but I've tested every resource here and know that it can add real value to your teaching. If you are looking for more general resources, then don't forget the Websites With Scratch Resources.   Pupils should be taught to:  Scratch Resources design and write programs that accomplish specific goals, including controlling or simulating physical systems; solve problems by decomposing them into smaller parts Computer Control Resources 5 Simple Tutorials Super Soundboard Kinect2Scratch (Windows only) Think Like a Computer Scientist (CAS) Alternatives to BeeBots & Probots (Mark Dorling) use sequence, selection, and repetition in programs; work with variables and various forms of input and output Beginners Plaything  Intermediate Level Loops and Event Recognition Use a listbox to enhance input methods Scratch Inputs and Outputs with Arduino Karen's Scratch Cards (American English) Scratch: Making a simple number calculator (Mark Dorling)  Scratch: Teaching dance (Mark Dorling) use logical reasoning to explain how a simple algorithm works and to detect and correct errors in algorithms and programs Computing Through Dance (CAS) Week 1 DebugIt  Week 2 DebugIt Week 3 DebugIt Debug Me Studio An Introduction to Computer Science understand computer networks including the internet; how they can provide multiple services, such as the world-wide web; and the opportunities they offer for communication and collaboration  The Scratch Community use search technologies effectively, appreciate how results are selected and ranked, and be discerning in evaluating digital content Alphebetizing Machine Sorting Algorithms Tutorial (Mark Dorling) use technology safely, respectfully and responsibly; know a range of ways to report concerns and inappropriate behaviour  ThinkUknow (Important, before students go online and use Scratch Website) select, use and combine a variety of software (including internet services) on a range of digital devices to accomplish given goals, including collecting, analysing, evaluating and presenting data and information.  Data Logging CAS & TES Resource links generally need a free user account.

Putting the words of the Curriculum into the Language of Scratch

The jargon seems to me, to look a lot easier when it is put into context via Scratch. I hope this is useful!