DigiDigiDigiDigi

Sample Teacher Guideand Resources

Version 1.0. For use with Digi-Explorers Qualification Specification (Version 1.0)

© NCC Education 2014 All Rights ReservedThe copyright in this document is vested in NCC Education. The document must not be reproduced by any means, in whole or in part, or used for manufacturing purposes, except with the prior written permission of NCC Education and then only on condition that this notice is included in any such reproduction.

Published by:NCC Education The TowersTowers Business ParkWilmslow Road DidsburyManchesterM20 2EZ UK

T: +44 (0) 161 438 6200F: +44 (0) 161 438 6240 E: info@nccedu.com www.nccedu.com

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CONTENTS (as displayed in the Teacher Guide and Resources) Syllabus Overview ............................................................................................................................. 4 

Syllabus overview ............................................................................................................................ 4 

Guidance on using the Digi-Explorers Teacher Guide and Resources ........................................ 5 Reference key .................................................................................................................................. 5 Resources Appendix ........................................................................................................................ 5 

Digital Citizenship .............................................................................................................................. 6 Working with technology safely and respectfully .............................................................................. 6 Working with the World Wide Web ................................................................................................... 8 Technology beyond school ............................................................................................................ 10 

Digital Design and Creation ............................................................................................................ 12 Working with digital images ............................................................................................................ 12 Working with video/animation ........................................................................................................ 14 Working with sound ........................................................................................................................ 16 

Presenting Information .................................................................................................................... 18 Working with text ............................................................................................................................ 18 Working with digital presentations .................................................................................................. 20 

Snowball Activity ............................................................................................................................. 22 Handling Data ................................................................................................................................... 23 

Working with data ........................................................................................................................... 23 

Programming .................................................................................................................................... 25 Working with algorithms ................................................................................................................. 25 Working to create and debug programs ......................................................................................... 27 

Resources Appendix ....................................................................................................................... 29 Word Processing and Typing Skills ................................................................................................ 29 Drawing, Painting and Image Manipulation .................................................................................... 30 Sound and Audio Manipulation ...................................................................................................... 32 Networks, Communication and Collaboration ................................................................................ 33 Data Handling ................................................................................................................................ 35 Video, Animation and Presentation Skills ...................................................................................... 37 Programming, Simulations, Control and Games ............................................................................ 39 Digital Citizenship and Research Skills .......................................................................................... 43 

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Syllabus Overview Syllabus overview

The Digi-Explorers syllabus contains the following topics, topic sections and Learning Outcomes. Syllabus topics may be covered in any order (as best suits the requirements of the candidates and their wider curriculum), however the suggested snowball activity assumes that the order as presented below is followed.

Syllabus content Topic Topic Section Learning Outcomes Digital Citizenship Working with technology safely

and respectfully Understand how to be safe and

respectful online.

Working with the World Wide Web

Understand how the World Wide Web can be used as a tool for research.

Use a web browser to view and navigate web pages.

Technology beyond school Identify ways that technology is used outside school.

Digital Design and Creation

Working with digital images Capture still and moving images. Use tools in paint packages to draw

an image to convey meaning.

Working with video animation Use captured images to make an animation.

Working with sound Use recorded sound files to communicate meaning.

Presenting Information

Working with text Use a range of text input devices effectively.

Working with digital presentations Use text, images and sound to create simple linear presentations for a purpose.

Present information clearly and appropriately using a range of tools.

Snowball Activity Handling Data Working with data Sort data in a range of ways to ask

and answer simple questions.

Programming Working with algorithms Understand the need for precise instructions to implement an algorithm.

Recognise the actions that will result from a sequence of instructions.

Working to create and debug programs

Devise simple programs. Predict what will happen if changes

are made.

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Guidance on using the Digi-Explorers Teacher Guide and Resources The following key features are found in the Digi-Explorers Teacher Guide and Resources and are provided to aid teachers in effective lesson preparation and planning:

Key terminology (KT): Each topic section contains a list of key terminology relating to the themes covered in that particular section. This will assist teachers in making decisions about whether to pre-teach or review particular words and phrases as a separate activity or to review and teach them in context.

Warm-up activities: These are suggested activities which are intended to get candidates thinking about the concepts and skills that the topic sections will focus on. Warm-up activities are designed to provide teachers with ideas for highly engaging but resource-light activities which are relevant to the main learning focus but do not require candidates to immediately start work on their computers.

Core activities: Teachers can select the suggested activity or activities which best suit their teaching preferences, wider curriculum areas and their candidates’ own learning styles or interests. The activities are specifically designed to meet the Learning Outcomes in each topic section. Resources for each activity are provided (see also Resources below).

Cross-curricular links (CL): Cross-curricular links are highlighted in each topic section. By providing both explicit and suggested cross-curricular links the intention is to demonstrate how the candidates’ learning is or may be embedded within wider curriculum areas.

Resources (RS): Each suggested resource has been carefully selected and tested by UK professionals with a wealth of experience in computing education. The resources suggested are freely available and almost all activities may be completed using freeware.

Snowball Activity: A suggested mid-point project or extended activity that will review and consolidate all learning up to that point. Teachers may also use the snowball activity as a formative tool or to assess candidates’ suitability for entry at a particular qualification level.

Reference key

Each warm-up and core activity presented includes a key which is written in bold at the end of each activity description, for example ‘LO 1; KT b, d; CL 1; RS 1-4’.

Teachers may use this key in order to check the activity against the topic section Learning Outcomes (LO), Key Terminology (KT), Cross-Curricular Links (CL) and Resources (RS).

In the example reference key (LO 1; KT b, d; CL1; RS 1-4), the teacher may therefore be confident that the activity covers the topic section’s first Learning Outcome, requires candidates to be aware of two of the stated items of key terminology, is relevant to the first cross-curricular link provided and may be supported by the first four resources stated in the topic section.

Resources Appendix

This includes resources highlighted in each topic section and is organised according to topic or skill area. Also included are additional resources (including useful commercial software) which teachers may wish to consider in order to differentiate their teaching according to the needs and interests of their candidates.

This is not an exhaustive list of suitable resources and teachers will have experience of other software, commercial or otherwise, which may support the delivery of the qualification.

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Guidance on using the Digi-Explorers Teacher Guide and Resources The following key features are found in the Digi-Explorers Teacher Guide and Resources and are provided to aid teachers in effective lesson preparation and planning:

Key terminology (KT): Each topic section contains a list of key terminology relating to the themes covered in that particular section. This will assist teachers in making decisions about whether to pre-teach or review particular words and phrases as a separate activity or to review and teach them in context.

Warm-up activities: These are suggested activities which are intended to get candidates thinking about the concepts and skills that the topic sections will focus on. Warm-up activities are designed to provide teachers with ideas for highly engaging but resource-light activities which are relevant to the main learning focus but do not require candidates to immediately start work on their computers.

Core activities: Teachers can select the suggested activity or activities which best suit their teaching preferences, wider curriculum areas and their candidates’ own learning styles or interests. The activities are specifically designed to meet the Learning Outcomes in each topic section. Resources for each activity are provided (see also Resources below).

Cross-curricular links (CL): Cross-curricular links are highlighted in each topic section. By providing both explicit and suggested cross-curricular links the intention is to demonstrate how the candidates’ learning is or may be embedded within wider curriculum areas.

Resources (RS): Each suggested resource has been carefully selected and tested by UK professionals with a wealth of experience in computing education. The resources suggested are freely available and almost all activities may be completed using freeware.

Snowball Activity: A suggested mid-point project or extended activity that will review and consolidate all learning up to that point. Teachers may also use the snowball activity as a formative tool or to assess candidates’ suitability for entry at a particular qualification level.

Reference key

Each warm-up and core activity presented includes a key which is written in bold at the end of each activity description, for example ‘LO 1; KT b, d; CL 1; RS 1-4’.

Teachers may use this key in order to check the activity against the topic section Learning Outcomes (LO), Key Terminology (KT), Cross-Curricular Links (CL) and Resources (RS).

In the example reference key (LO 1; KT b, d; CL1; RS 1-4), the teacher may therefore be confident that the activity covers the topic section’s first Learning Outcome, requires candidates to be aware of two of the stated items of key terminology, is relevant to the first cross-curricular link provided and may be supported by the first four resources stated in the topic section.

Resources Appendix

This includes resources highlighted in each topic section and is organised according to topic or skill area. Also included are additional resources (including useful commercial software) which teachers may wish to consider in order to differentiate their teaching according to the needs and interests of their candidates.

This is not an exhaustive list of suitable resources and teachers will have experience of other software, commercial or otherwise, which may support the delivery of the qualification.

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Digital Citizenship Syllabus Section: Working with technology safely and respectfully UK National Curriculum Level Descriptor Use technology safely and respectfully, keeping personal information private; identify where to go for help and support when students have concerns about content or contact on the Internet or other online technologies. Learning Outcomes 1. Understand how to be safe and respectful online. Key Terminology a. Adult b. Appropriate c. Chat d. Danger

e. Inappropriate f. Online g. Password h. Personal Information

i. Private j. Respect k. Safe l. Secure

Suggested Warm-up Activities

1. Students talk about how they keep themselves safe in the real world, for example, how to cross

the road, dangers around the house and who they trust to look after them. Students identify people who they should approach to ask for help or support. (LO 1; KT a, d, h, j, l)

2. Students are given badges with labels, for example, ‘Grandma’, ‘Shopkeeper’, ‘Teacher’, ‘Bus

driver’, ‘Sister’ and discuss what personal information they might share with these people and what information they would keep private. (LO 1; KT a, b, e, h, i, l; CL 1)

3. Choosing a character from a story who adopts a disguise, students discuss why it can be dangerous to talk to people they do not know and who might not be who they seem. (LO 1; KT d, h, i, l, m)

4. As a class, students share ideas about physical objects which have a lock and key (for example,

a front door, a safe, a car) and talk about how and why we try to make things secure/private. (LO 1; KT d, g, i, l, m)

Suggested Main Activities 1. The class watches (or reads through together) cartoons that give age-appropriate messages

(see page 7). Students discuss good practice, for example, minimise a window and tell an adult if something online makes them feel uncomfortable. (LO 1; KT a-f, h-m; RS 1, 2)

2. Model good practice with the students. Working in pairs, students carry out a role play where one student finds something inappropriate online, minimises the image and tells an adult (the other student). (LO 1; KT a, b, e, f, j, l; RS 1,2; CL 1)

3. Identify different passwords around the school and talk about who knows the passwords and

why this information shouldn’t be shared. (LO 1; KT a, b, d, g-i, k-m)

4. Students identify which objects in and around the house should have restricted access, and why. (LO 1; KT a, b, d-g, i, l, m)

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5. Students choose an appropriate superhero and demonstrate to the group why they must keep their personal information from their arch-enemy, and how this can be done. (LO 1; KT d, g, i, l, m; CL 1)

6. Using a board game template decorated with images linked to technology and Internet safety, students make their way around the board. As players move around the board, they might land on a 'Safe' or an 'Unsafe' square (see Teaching Ideas activity in resources below). (LO 1; KT c, d, f, h-m; RS 3)

Curricular Links 1. English: ‘Pupils should be taught to participate in discussions, presentations, performances, role

play, improvisations and debates.’ ‘Role-play can help pupils to identify with and explore characters and to try out the language they have listened to.’ (The National Curriculum in England: Key Stages 1 and 2 Framework Document, p.18-22.)

Resources

No Website Description

1 www.thinkyouknow.co.uk/5_7 An online guide to Internet safety for children, parents and teachers from the Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) centre.

2 http://www.kidsmart.org.uk/teachers/ks1/sources/index.htm

Online Internet safety resources for children, including an e-book, ‘The Adventures of Smartie the Penguin’, aimed at children ages 5–7.

3 http://www.teachingideas.co.uk/themes/stayingsafeonline/esafetygame.htm

Template for an eSafety board game which can be illustrated with images linked to technology and Internet Safety. Players use counters and a die to move around the board. They might land on a 'Safe' or an 'Unsafe' square, modelling good and bad practice. Templates for ‘Safe’ and ‘Unsafe’ cards are also provided.

Assessment note

Candidates should be able to show understanding and identify examples of the Key Terminology as it relates to the online world. The Learning Outcome for this syllabus section will be tested in Part B of the examination.

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5. Students choose an appropriate superhero and demonstrate to the group why they must keep their personal information from their arch-enemy, and how this can be done. (LO 1; KT d, g, i, l, m; CL 1)

6. Using a board game template decorated with images linked to technology and Internet safety, students make their way around the board. As players move around the board, they might land on a 'Safe' or an 'Unsafe' square (see Teaching Ideas activity in resources below). (LO 1; KT c, d, f, h-m; RS 3)

Curricular Links 1. English: ‘Pupils should be taught to participate in discussions, presentations, performances, role

play, improvisations and debates.’ ‘Role-play can help pupils to identify with and explore characters and to try out the language they have listened to.’ (The National Curriculum in England: Key Stages 1 and 2 Framework Document, p.18-22.)

Resources

No Website Description

1 www.thinkyouknow.co.uk/5_7 An online guide to Internet safety for children, parents and teachers from the Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) centre.

2 http://www.kidsmart.org.uk/teachers/ks1/sources/index.htm

Online Internet safety resources for children, including an e-book, ‘The Adventures of Smartie the Penguin’, aimed at children ages 5–7.

3 http://www.teachingideas.co.uk/themes/stayingsafeonline/esafetygame.htm

Template for an eSafety board game which can be illustrated with images linked to technology and Internet Safety. Players use counters and a die to move around the board. They might land on a 'Safe' or an 'Unsafe' square, modelling good and bad practice. Templates for ‘Safe’ and ‘Unsafe’ cards are also provided.

Assessment note

Candidates should be able to show understanding and identify examples of the Key Terminology as it relates to the online world. The Learning Outcome for this syllabus section will be tested in Part B of the examination.

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Presenting Information Syllabus Section: Working with text UK National Curriculum Level Descriptor Use technology purposefully to create, organise, store, manipulate and retrieve digital content. Learning Outcomes

1. Use a range of text input devices effectively.

Key Terminology a. Backspace b. Capital c. Lower case

d. Return/Enter e. Shift f. Space bar

g. Upper case

Suggested Warm-up Activities

1. The class looks at a variety of different texts and considers the purpose of the text and its

different format. (KT c, g; CL 1)

2. Students write and illustrate words to reflect their meaning, for example, the word ‘wet’ might be coloured blue and have droplets falling off the letters, ‘spikey’ might be drawn in an angular way and ‘red’ would be coloured red. As a group, students share their illustrated words and discuss the different ways meaning can be shown through text style and colour. (KT c, g; CL 1)

Suggested Main Activities 1. Using a range of keyboards that are found in school, such as tablets, laptops and computer

keyboards, students explore the features of each device and consider the order the letters are in, where the numbers are and the function of some of the main other keys. (LO 1; KT a-g; RS 1)

2. Students play on-screen typing games to improve speed and accuracy of typing and keyboard skills. Students may be encouraged to use both hands and think about good posture. (LO 1; KT a-g; RS 1-3)

3. Students type simple lists using upper case, lower case, capitals, shift, space bar, return/enter

and backspace. For example, students may produce a class list and save it to the school network. (LO 1; KT a-g; CL 1)

4. Students create signs for the classroom using different fonts and styles. Examples might include warning signs such as ‘don’t run’ or signs denoting a particular area of the classroom such as a reading area. (LO1; KT a-g; CL 1; RS 4)

5. Students create or choose a superhero identity and design their own superhero badge with a

font and style to reflect their superhero powers. Students might add symbols and a motto in different font styles and colours. (LO1; KT a-g; CL 1; RS 4)

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Curricular Links

1. English: ‘Write clearly, accurately and coherently, adapting their language and style in and for a range of contexts, purposes and audiences.’ (The National Curriculum in England: Key Stages 1 and 2 Framework Document, p.14)

Resources

No Website Description

1 http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/typing/ Fun typing games for various levels of ability, enabling students to practice and develop their keyboard skills.

2 http://gwydir.demon.co.uk/jo/typing/index.htm

Online typing exercise to practice and develop keyboard skills. The stopwatch feature enables users to monitor their typing speed.

3 http://www.freewebs.com/weddell/findtheletter.html

Online typing exercise to practice and develop keyboard skills.

4 http://www.j2e.com/jit User-friendly online tool, enabling users to combine text and images.

Assessment

Candidates should be able to name and correctly use the text input keys outlined in the Key Terminology above. The Learning Outcome for this syllabus section will be tested in Part A of the examination.

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Curricular Links

1. English: ‘Write clearly, accurately and coherently, adapting their language and style in and for a range of contexts, purposes and audiences.’ (The National Curriculum in England: Key Stages 1 and 2 Framework Document, p.14)

Resources

No Website Description

1 http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/typing/ Fun typing games for various levels of ability, enabling students to practice and develop their keyboard skills.

2 http://gwydir.demon.co.uk/jo/typing/index.htm

Online typing exercise to practice and develop keyboard skills. The stopwatch feature enables users to monitor their typing speed.

3 http://www.freewebs.com/weddell/findtheletter.html

Online typing exercise to practice and develop keyboard skills.

4 http://www.j2e.com/jit User-friendly online tool, enabling users to combine text and images.

Assessment

Candidates should be able to name and correctly use the text input keys outlined in the Key Terminology above. The Learning Outcome for this syllabus section will be tested in Part A of the examination.

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Resources Appendix Video, Animation and Presentation Skills Resource Description DE DN DT Animoto Create beautiful videos online. Sign up is required. See

www.animoto.com/create for more information

BSR Screen Recorder

BSR Screen Recorder captures video, sound and pictures of anything up on the screen. See www.bsrsoft.com

Clips A website providing safe video and animation publishing for schools and an archive of animation projects created by school groups. See http://clips.e2bn.org/browse/

Collins Big Cat app

An animated, interactive book that brings stories to life. See http://collinsbigcat.com/apps for more information.

Comic Touch Lite app

This app allows users to create a comic style narrative. See https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/comic-touch-lite/id306608970?mt=8 for more information.

Fluxtime Create your own animations quickly and easily using this simple platform. A Java download is required. See www.fluxtime.com for more information.

J2e (Animation)

A free user-friendly drawing and animation tool. See http://www.j2e.com/jitapp/main.swf

Kingsoft Office Kingsoft Presentation Free 2012 is user-friendly presentation software. For more information see http://www.kingsoftstore.co.uk/

MonkeyJam MonkeyJam helps you record your own animation movie using stop-motion techniques. See www.monkeyjam.en.softonic.com

Microsoft Movie Maker

Add and edit photographs from your PC, laptop or camera and convert them into a movie. Add sound effects to further bring the movie to life. The website address will differ from region to region. See http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/get-movie-maker-download

Pencil Pencil is vector drawing software that allows users create their own digital comics. See http://pencil.en.softonic.com/ for more information.

Pivot Animator Pivot Animator is an excellent animation application that allows users to animate various silhouettes quickly and easily. See http://pivot-animator.en.softonic.com/ for more information.

Prezentit Create, share and show your presentations online with this web-based tool. See www.prezentit.com for more information

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Prezi Prezi is a cloud-based presentation tool. See www.prezi.com for more information. Free restricted accounts are available.

Roxio PhotoShow

Create slideshows online for free with Roxio Photo Show. For more information see www.photoshow.com

Sketchup Powerful 3D modelling software from Google. See http://google-sketchup.en.softonic.com/

Slidedog Slidedog is a powerful tool for professional-looking presentations. See www.slidedog.com for more information.

Stykz Create animated cartoon with this free downloadable software. See http://stykz.en.softonic.com/ for more information.

VoiceThread VoiceThread is a cloud application which allows user to upload, share and discuss documents, presentations, images, audio files and videos. See www.voicethread.com for more information.

Vcasmo Vcasmo is a multimedia presentation solution for photo and video slide shows. See www.vcasmo.com for more information.

Wideo Wideo is an easy-to-use online video tool, which allows users to make animation videos by inserting various objects, text, backgrounds and sounds. See http://www.wideo.co/

Zimmer Twins Make animated movies within minutes. See http://www.zimmertwins.com/ for more information.

7sisters A resource for students to design a classroom using click and drag. To find out more see the following website: http://www.the7sisters.co.uk/free/pages/resource/modelling/classroom/

Commercial Software Camtasia Camtasia is excellent screen capture software, allowing

students to record on-screen activity as well as edit and enhance content. Visit www.techsmith.com/camtasia for more information.

iMovie iMovie is a low-cost, user-friendly movie maker for Mac users. For more information see www.apple.com/mac/imovie/

Microsoft PowerPoint

See www.microsoft.com/powerpoint for more information.

Muvizu An easy and fast way to tell stories with animation. See www.muvizu.com for more information.

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Prezi Prezi is a cloud-based presentation tool. See www.prezi.com for more information. Free restricted accounts are available.

Roxio PhotoShow

Create slideshows online for free with Roxio Photo Show. For more information see www.photoshow.com

Sketchup Powerful 3D modelling software from Google. See http://google-sketchup.en.softonic.com/

Slidedog Slidedog is a powerful tool for professional-looking presentations. See www.slidedog.com for more information.

Stykz Create animated cartoon with this free downloadable software. See http://stykz.en.softonic.com/ for more information.

VoiceThread VoiceThread is a cloud application which allows user to upload, share and discuss documents, presentations, images, audio files and videos. See www.voicethread.com for more information.

Vcasmo Vcasmo is a multimedia presentation solution for photo and video slide shows. See www.vcasmo.com for more information.

Wideo Wideo is an easy-to-use online video tool, which allows users to make animation videos by inserting various objects, text, backgrounds and sounds. See http://www.wideo.co/

Zimmer Twins Make animated movies within minutes. See http://www.zimmertwins.com/ for more information.

7sisters A resource for students to design a classroom using click and drag. To find out more see the following website: http://www.the7sisters.co.uk/free/pages/resource/modelling/classroom/

Commercial Software Camtasia Camtasia is excellent screen capture software, allowing

students to record on-screen activity as well as edit and enhance content. Visit www.techsmith.com/camtasia for more information.

iMovie iMovie is a low-cost, user-friendly movie maker for Mac users. For more information see www.apple.com/mac/imovie/

Microsoft PowerPoint

See www.microsoft.com/powerpoint for more information.

Muvizu An easy and fast way to tell stories with animation. See www.muvizu.com for more information.

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Prezi Prezi is a cloud-based presentation tool. See www.prezi.com for more information. Monthly payment packages with increased functionality and account size are available.

NCC EducationThe TowersTowers Business ParkWilmslow Road DidsburyManchesterM20 2EZ

T: +44 (0) 161 438 6200 F: +44 (0) 161 438 6240 E: info@nccedu.com www.nccedu.com