Are you going to BETT 2016? Would you like to win a BBC micro:bit? Then enter our Twitter selfie Win-a-micro:bit competition and you could be randomly selected to win a BBC micro:bit, which we will send you as soon as we can.

To enter is easy, just tweet a picture or selfie-type image of yourself at BETT, with a reference to a micro:bit. It could be yourself sporting one of our exclusive micro:bit stickers, attending one of the many sessions on micro:bit at the Microsoft stand or stands of our partners. There will be plenty of micro:bit activities at the show , so maybe a picture with one in your hands?

We will randomly choose a tweet from the hash tag #winamicrobit thread. We have 25 to give away each day, so that’s nearly 1 every 12 minutes. Winners will be notified via Twitter, with a full list posted on the Microsoft BETT stand each day. You can tweet and enter as many times as you like. Retweets will not be eligible. So the more ‘selfies’ you post, the better your chances of winning. But, you are only eligible to win once and you must include the hash tag #winamicrobit

Please note : Winners will be sent their micro:bit prizes after devices have distributed to teachers across the UK Winners will be contacted via Twitter to collect details of where to send their prize.

Summary

Attend BETT 2016

To enter – Tweet a micro:bit themed selfie with #winamicrobit

Congratulations to three more primary schools that have been awarded the coveted Kodu School plaque for their innovative use of our coding software.

Anglesey Primary School in Birmingham, Boldmere Junior School in Sutton Coldfield and Oatlands Junior School in Harrogate (pictured with director of ComputerXplorers Yorkshire, Jude Parker) were all nominated to receive the award by Partners in Learning education technology specialists ComputerXplorers.

ComputerXplorers nominated the schools because they are acting as trailblazers, embracing and developing the new computing curriculum with foresight and innovation.

Since becoming a Microsoft Partner in Learning two years ago, ComputerXplorers have introduced Kodu to over 200 schools throughout the UK. ComputerXplorers owners across the country support local schools though delivering technology based in-class and after school clubs. Kodu is used as a platform for coding in the company’s ‘design your own video game’ module where children use x-box controllers to create and play their own games.

Jill Cooper, head teacher of Oatlands Junior School, says: “Our pupils seized the opportunity to create their own computer games and developed valuable skills along the way. Using ComputerXplorers to facilitate the classes meant we had direct access to expert knowledge and insight, which in turn enabled the children to really stretch their own capabilities. Achieving the Kodu School Award is a fantastic testament to what they achieved.”

Apply to attend the London session of the 2016 CS50 workshop.

In response to educators expressing an interest in adopting curriculum that provides secondary school students with an introduction to computer science providing them with a strong foundation in computational thinking, problem solving, computer science and programming skills, Microsoft has partnered with Harvard to bring CS50 Computer Science Principles (CS50 CSP) to secondary schools, globally.

Adapted for secondary school success by Harvard University’s Professor David J. Malan and with Microsoft’s support, the curriculum is based on the This is CS50 course, which originated at Harvard University and is now also taught at Yale.

Due to the robust amount of student-facing resources, CS50 Computer Science Principles (CS50 CSP) is able to scale up or down to accommodate students with no previous programming/computer science experience and those who have experience in using one or multiple text-based programming languages. CS50 CSP provides students with a true introduction to computer science, including but not limited to just programming.

Training Course for Educators

CS50 CSP Educator Implementation Training is a 2 and 1/2-day, in-person workshop designed to prepare teachers for teaching CS50 CSP in their classrooms. The workshop guides teachers through key components of the CS50 learning experience, and highlights the pedagogy and methodology that has made secondary school student success a reality for educators in the CS50 Pilot. Educators receive hands-on experience with the curriculum and a deep understanding of the course’s three guiding principles:

1. Rigor: The curriculum provides engaging and challenging curriculum that is designed to consistently introduce students to and engage them in computer science problem sets that are real world based and relevant in today’s 21st century economy.

2. Accessibility: The curriculum is designed to ensure all students, regardless of background are capable of success;

3. Community: A key component to student success is educator engagement in a vibrant online educator community and on-the-ground experiences that are student-focused.

Audience and objectives

This training is designed for teachers who plan to teach CS50 CSP in a classroom setting. It is assumed that educators’ experience with programming and/or teaching programming will vary, but that all participating educators will feel confident in a text-based programming environment. Teacher learning objectives include:

• Become familiar with C Programming language and the span of computer science and computational thinking concepts addressed in the course. Educators receive answers to specific questions about programming concepts and skills during problem set walkthroughs . It is expected that some participants will require further study beyond the workshop days to gain sufficient knowledge and skills to be ready to teach the course. All participants are expected to complete pre-course work, which is estimated to take approximately 12 hours.
• Experience an introduction to CS50. This includes a behind the scenes look at the course design and pedagogy.
• Learn about Objectives and Assessments. Understand expectations and assessments and how to position students for success.
• Understand how to use the course materials. This includes making use of suggested teaching strategies, addressing learning challenges that students may encounter, preparing and presenting lessons, and providing students’ all necessary resources. Demonstrations of how to maximize the use of features in the course’s integrated development environment (IDE) are also provided.
• Learn tips and tricks for creating and growing your school’s computer science learning community. Educators are provided with tips and tricks to create a computer science learning community at their school and they are encouraged to connect with the larger CS50 community and come together for events such as hackathons, final project fairs and puzzle day.
• Leverage the Support of Microsoft. Connect students, through Skype in the Classroom, to MSFT CS50 Alumni and other MSFT subject matter experts who work on projects that are relevant to students’ lives. Student connections to real developers and engineers deepens their learning experience and helps illustrate the wide range of computer science career options and demonstrate how computer science is relevant to students’ lives.
• Understand how to teach the course. This includes the general teaching approach, the CS50 guidelines for grading (just part of the course’s secret sauce), and flexible use of course resources.
• Understand further preparations that may be needed to be ready to teach the course. This includes preparing student devices and or computer labs for using the course IDE and other online resources. Connecting with other CS50 educators and sharing resources to gain knowledge about programming concepts and to stay one step ahead, as well as further study of the course resources to be ready to use them on a daily basis.

Upon Workshop Completion

Educators completing this two and ½ day workshop will

• Receive a Certificate of Participation from Harvard, in which the hours of participation are recorded
• May apply to run their own their CS50 CSP Implementation Workshop for other educators in summer 2017.

Educators Apply Here http://cs50.harvard.edu/ap/apply

Overheard this great conversation between a Teacher and Student this week, that I thought would share.

Student – ‘ Sir, why is Python called Python?’

Teacher – ‘Its named after Monty Python’

Student looks blank

Teacher – ‘You know the famous 1970s comedy team, Monty Python’s Flying Circus’

Student none the wiser, ‘Oh, I thought it was because it constricts the enjoyment out of learning to code !’

I think probably the student has a point. We are at a place with computing where with have a plethora of great resources for learning, we are spoilt for choice with coding languages, hardly a week goes by where a new physical computing device is released and there is great support for teacher development from organisations like Computing at Schools and Microsoft.

Already in my travels around the UK, I am finding students and teachers who are disgruntled and disillusioned with the way Computing is developing in schools and often cite the exam syllabus are the root of their woes. Your thoughts?

So here is an idea. How do we ensure a way to teach the fundamentals of coding and computing and ensure that interests and expectations of teachers and students remain high and challenged?

These two books dropped on my desk. Could they be these used to develop a curriculum to teach Python using Minecraft?

Love this book and these guys, the book guides you through how to use the Minecraft API on various platforms and utilise Python to control and develop some amazing ideas in Minecraft. I particularly like building a working clock in Minecraft and the sections on physical computing, where an event in Minecraft can control and event in the real world.

Martin and David, any chance of a micro:bit update ? Will it interface with Python and Minecraft?

Adventures in Minecraft -Martin O’Hanlon and David Whale

This is my current read and it has really broadened by limited skills with Python. It has a little more structured approach, that you would recognise from other learn to code books. It also has a fantastic range of great activities for kids to do, including physical computing.

Learn to Program with Minecraft – Craig Richardson

I can’t recommend these books highly enough. They are the perfect way to learn Python and understand Minecraft.

If you are looking for more teacher resources, check out this post from Clive Beale

Computing skills are intrinsically linked to science and on British Science Week digital day (Friday 11 March) education technology specialist and with the support of the Microsoft Educator Community ComputerXplorers will be delivering free Kodu sessions for children and CPD sessions as part of its annual Programming for Primaries awareness event.

ComputerXplorers established Programming for Primaries two years ago to shine the spotlight on resources available to help teachers introduce primary school age children to coding and we’re delighted to be supporting them once again as they join forces with British Science Week.

Any initiative that educates children in the exciting application, depth and breadth of coding applications in the real world has got to be a good thing. Programming for Primaries helps make coding relevant and interesting to children today, so that they will understand what they can do with it in the lives they lead tomorrow.

FREE children’s workshops and CPD sessions for teachers are available in areas of Kent, London, Bristol, Bath, Birmingham, Thames Valley, the Cotswolds, Surrey, Oxfordshire, Yorkshire, Scotland and South Wales. Places are filling up fast. For more information go to www.computerxplorers.co.uk

The BBC microbit officially begins rolling out to a million students today. Somewhere in a class is a student who will be the next big deal in technology entrepreneurship. You may have the next Mark Zuckerberg, Elon Musk, Clive Sinclair or Satya Nadella sitting in your class right now. It might be this moment that leads them on that career path, Daunting thought isn’t it?

Those students have who managed to get their hands on a microbit have already made a start. Here is a great example from Ross Lowe (you will have heard him mentioned in this blog before). Not only has he written the resources supporting the Block Editor on www.microbit.co.uk , but has found time to set up his own company, undertake R&D and bring a product to market.

Here is that product.

Introducing the Go! Invent Kit for the BBC Micro:bit!

After playing around with the Micro:bit for a few months we decided to create an expansion board for students like usto take their code from the Micro:bit and bring it into the physical world.

We developed a small circuit board with LEDs, crocodile clip pads, a Light Dependent Resistor, Piezo sounder, and diodes. To extend the sensor capabilities of the micro:bit. The kit also includes crocodile clips as well as more components – a variable potentiometer, toggle switches, tilt switches, and more! The kit also features full instructions for invention ideas – make a cuckoo clock, room alarm, smart watch, clever plant sensor, and anything you can think of – the kit has been designed to connect straight to the Micro:bit so you can conveniently code even more cool stuff with the Micro:bit.

How to order.

Order a Class set at of £5.00 per board – minimum order 30 or order individually at £15.00 inc p+p.

We’re taking preorders now – so get in touch before the first round is gone!

Find us on @BrossKits or brosscomputing@gmail.com

You can hear Ross Today on Radio 4 – Today Programme (catch it on iPlayer), talking about the micro:bit to John Humphries

BROSS computing, the next big thing? You heard it here first.

If you have a student micro:bit project that you would like to share then send me details on twitter @innovativeteach.

This unbelievable piece of information landed on my desk this morning and it is so exciting, I thought I would share it with you before 12.00pm

Ross Lowe, microbit evangelist and entrepreneur has just ported a version of Minecraft to his microbit. I don’t have the full details yet, but he used the Javascript Orientated Kernel Edition of Minecraft and a coding language call Lirpa Loof (a derivative of Block editor apparently) to create a pseudo world that allows you to enjoy Minecraft. Ross will be releasing how he did this shortly.

As you can see from the image attached it is not too far away from an Ender.

You can find loads of great ideas of what to do with your micro:bit at www.microbit.co.uk

What will you do?

At the BETT show in January, we announced a new version of Minecraft for education called Minecraft: Education Edition. Since then the Minecraft team have been busy working on features, and partnering with educators, students and administrators to get feedback on their priorities and what they need to use Minecraft for teaching and learning.

Our Simon Baddley was able to give his feedback: @simbadd64

“As an English teacher using Minecraft for storytelling, one of my main challenges was how to evidence student learning and projects outside of the game. The new camera and portfolio tools are going to be great features, allowing students to be able to export these shots directly from the students’ portfolio into a specified OneDrive folder is a major step forward and allows much easier integration with other applications.”

Simon Baddeley, English Teacher in Wakefield,

Teachers have helped prioritize the most valuable features of MinecraftEdu, and what else they’d like to see in Minecraft: Education Edition.

Dates for your diary

In May, a Beta program starts with over 100 schools from 30 countries around the world to experience Minecraft: Education Edition, share more detailed feedback on the product with us, and help us fine-tune the experience across a diverse set of learning environments.

In June, we will release Minecraft: Education Edition with an early access program for educators to download, try for free,
and give us feedback. Minecraft: Education Edition early access will be available in 11 languages and 41 countries. During the summer months, we are also going to be focused on working with educators on building out lesson plans, sharing learning activity ideas, and creating re-usable projects.

If you are new to Minecraft, or if you aren’t sure where to start in bringing Minecraft into your classroom and incorporating into your curriculum, the early access program is going to be a great way to familiarize yourself with Minecraft: Education Edition.

At the conclusion of our early access program, Minecraft: Education Edition user licenses will be available for purchase through direct and volume licensing channels.

The first release of Minecraft: Education Edition will run on the latest versions of Windows 10 and Mac OS X El Capitan. To prepare for using Minecraft: Education Edition,

• Upgrade your computers to Windows 10 or OS X El Capitan
• Sign up for a free Office 365 Education account using your school or district email for each educator and student

For more information and resources on Minecraft: Education Edition, and to sign up to be notified when the early access program becomes available, please visit education.minecraft.net.

Many of you will know Nicki Cooper (nee Maddams) and her award winning work with Kodu. I suspect many of have used or are using her great Kodu resources that earned her the nickname ‘Queen of Kodu’. Her blog http://www.interactiveclassroom.net/ is still one the best teacher resource you will find. Many of you have asked me where Nicki has been lately, she has been a little busy with her new family.

Blogs can offer welcome help and support in all aspects of our education based lives, but sometimes it’s useful to step outside and re-adjust our perspectives on our perceived challenges Nicki has given us so much with her support for Kodu and Computer Science. I thought I would like to reciprocate by sharing Nicki’s experience, a worthwhile cause and her latest blog project.

Nicki has found time to setup a new blog http://miraclebabies.co.uk . It has been designed to offer support, guidance and hope to parents of premature babies going through the rollercoaster journey of neonatal intensive care.

Nicki and her husband Kevin spent 16 weeks under the care of the amazing team at the Oliver Fisher Neonatal Intensive Care Unit with their son Henry, who along with his twin brother, Archie, was born at just 23 weeks gestation. Archie sadly lost his battle on day 2 but Henry fought on and came home one week before his due date, on 18th April 2016. This has been the inspiration for this new blog.

You can read and share Henry’s journey, which is joyful, yet heart-breaking at times, but I am just going to share this post from Nicki herself.

‘the really exciting thing about having a baby home that has spent time in hospital is that you appreciate everything they do. Kevin and I get excited every time Henry does a burp after feeding, we both enjoy changing nappies, no matter how smelly, and when Henry has me up for several hours during the night I just think of it as an opportunity to catch up on the cuddles we missed out on while he was in hospital, because leaving him there every night was the hardest part.’

Congratulations Nicki and Kevin on your beautiful family from us all.

http://miraclebabies.co.uk

The Computing At School #include Diversity in Computing Education Conference 2016 will take place at the University of Manchester on 11th June 2016. This year our aim is to bring together the teaching expertise of classroom teachers with the knowledge and experience of industry professionals and academics to create opportunities for all to learn practical strategies to teach children Computing from across our five strands of Gender, Ethnicity, Disability, Socio-Economic Status and SEN.

This event is ideal for any teachers, assistants, governors, parents, advisors, academics, industry experts working with both mainstream and special schools from primary through secondary to higher edu level. The day will include a mixture of talks and hands on workshops led by industry experts, classroom teachers and academics. You will be able to choose which sessions to attend throughout the day and gain an insight into how to promote inclusion in your chosen area.

Get you tickets here – https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/diversity-in-computing-education-conference-2016-tickets-24541140211

Why would I want to come to this event?

• CPD & Resources – Develop knowledge of how to adapt the computing curriculum for students in our five target groups: SEN and disabilities, diverse ethnic backgrounds, different genders and pupil premium.
  
• Swag – We have cool swag to give away, including prizes! We’ll also throw in a tasty lunch and snacks while you hack!
  
• Play – Get hands on with Raspberry Pi, Code Bug, BBC micro:bit and more.
  
• Tools – Gain experience in using tools to teach computing to students in our five target groups.
  
• Helping other people – Meet other teachers, some of whom are specialists in one of our five strands and share good practice.
  
• Childcare – Use our free onsite creche for children aged up to 6 and our child friendly workshops for ages 7 upwards. (*We can only run this facility if we find a sponsor and there is enough interest. Please let us know if this is a service you would like to use.)
  

  Sessions include:
  

• Engagement with EBD and ASC children in a special school environment
  
• Using Minecraft on the Raspberry Pi to engage autistic and ADHD children in programming
  
• Simple ways to encourage girls to take computing
  
• Wearables and physical computing workshops
  
• Unplugged computing sessions