This course provides a sequence of inspiring activities that can be used to help children develop the skills needed to find computational solutions to messy real world problems. As they work through creating computer programs for human like behaviour such as smiling, blinking or telling a story they are able to adopt and develop core competencies associated with computer programming including the understanding and use of logical reasoning, the adoption of an iterative approach and the need for perseverance. They are also introduced to core programming concepts including sequencing instructions, repetition, conditionals and variables.
The course consists of 4 sequences of 6 lessons that may be used flexibly for example taught as a single block or split up and taught over a term a year over four years. Each lesson takes around an hour and is devised to be delivered by a teacher working with a class of children.
Note the software features a simulation of Picoh that children can use to allow a larger number of children to program and debug their programs at the same time.
The course consists of 4 sequences of 6 lessons that may be used flexibly for example taught as a single block or split up and taught over a term a year over four years. Each lesson takes around an hour and is devised to be delivered by a teacher working with a class of children.
Note the software features a simulation of Picoh that children can use to allow a larger number of children to program and debug their programs at the same time.
- One assembled Picoh
- A site licence for the Picoh graphical programming application (if using the software on more than 4 computers)
- Windows 10 computers with the Picoh graphical programming application installed
- Headphones or speakers for the computers
1. We program Picoh to move and repeat movements
2. We program Picoh to count and respond to variables
3. Here we program Picoh to make decisions using conditionals
4. Programs here use lists to give Picoh memory.
Castleview Primary School, Slough, UK.
