Computing

We have learned ways that clickbait can be used to lure us into clicking on certain links or news articles.  We found out some of the different techniques to be aware of that use clickbait and how it can be used as a part of a scam as well.

In our Digital Literacy lessons, we explored the question: 'How do gender stereotypes shape our experiences online?'

We were challenged to come up with an avatar that would either show a stereotype or challenge gender stereotypes.

Using the Easi-Scopes in Science to link up to the ipads so we can look closely at the different parts of a flower and record magnified images.

We have been learning all about the importance of having a strong password when using different apps/programmes online.  We found out some top tips for creating a strong password and created a strong and weak example password for a famous figure.  We then tested out how strong our passwords were with an online password checker.  

Beech class have been developing their digital research skills.  We have been finding out how about search engines work and why the key words we use to search are important for the findings we will receive.  We considered how word order can have an impact on our searches and considered using specific terms to ensure we get the information that is suitable and appropriate for our age and understanding.

We have continued to learn about how we can search the internet effectively for information or images we would like to gather.  We played a fun activity where we were all given a picture of grapes, but our images were different.  We had to sit down if we were holding an image of grapes that Mr Gorton called out.  This could be for example 'a cartoon image of grapes', 'green grapes', 'a bunch of grapes'.  Eventually only one person was left standing with the image that Mr Gorton was looking for.  This helped us to understand that by being more specific in our keyword searches, we can efficiently find what we are looking for.

We begun developing our Coding skills by learning to write code which could program the speed of an object.  We then worked on how to program buttons to increase or decrease the speed of the car and to bring it to a stop.  Next, we worked on using variables to control the direction and speed of a car within a game.  We used all our new learning to design and create our own simple driving game.

We have been exploring our understanding of what an algorithm in computing is.  We found out that you use code to tell a computer what to do. Before you write code you need an algorithm. An algorithm is a list of rules to follow in order to solve a problem or complete a task. Algorithms need to have their steps in the right order.

We carried out a fun activity following an algorithm to draw a crazy alien.  We then wrote our own algorithms for others to follow.  Depending on the outcome we could debug our list of algorithms for errors or instructions that weren’t clear enough.