Wormholt Park Primary School
At Wormholt Park Primary - a two form entry school situated in White City, West London, they have been developing their computing curriculum to add in as much physical computing as possible. They have worked with Strictly Education 3BM to develop their use of the Picoh to develop computational thinking and coding skills with their Upper Key Stage 2 pupils in order to extend the curriculum and meet the higher expectations for the end of Key Stage age related expectations of the computing curriculum.
This case study shows how they have used the Picoh robot to create a personal assistant system (replicating the algorithms that go into voice recognition software and personal assistants) and the excitement this resulted in from their pupils! Giving a real-life context demonstrated the link between the importance of programming to everyday objects such as personal assistants in the home.
How did Wormholt Park use the Picoh?
Creating a personal system (responding to questions) so giving a real life context - concepts like Alexa and Siri are culturally understood.
Teaching advanced programming concepts (variables and “if else” functions and algorithms and more complex coding)
Applying the coding skills to an object (and seeing the results on the Picoh)
Planning with flow charts for ideas (more inclusive) and multiple functions
Mixed ability groups; with time for planning and cooperation and bug fixing
Language function allowed EAL children’s involvement (used Spanish setting)
Quotes regarding the pilot from Wormholt Park Primary:
“... Really allowed us to take their skill base to the next level, which I was really excited about and I can see a clear progression of their skills from where they were last year to now. So in terms of assessment and attainment for the children, the Picoh was really useful in terms of seeing what they are able to do now and also allowing me to teach in more detail those key skills they may have missed out on in previous Scratch lessons.”
“The main thing about the computing curriculum is making sure everyone has a go! Whether that be from Picoh robots or anything that can allow the computer science curriculum to be applied, this is an exciting way to do that!”
“I saw in the Picoh Project the opportunity to go into that [understanding variables, understanding conditionals “if, else” and in terms of functions and algorithms with multiple, clear sections in it] in a way that other available robotics does not give you that opportunity.”
“… a planned out project with the robots with clear end goals in terms of creating a personal system from this Picoh; trying to replicate the algorithms that go into something like Siri or another personal system and using that in order to teach variables and “if else” functions and algorithms.”
Introduction to computing at Wormholt Primary School
Duncan Hopwood (Computing Lead at Wormholt Park Primary) explains his mission to broaden the pupils' opportunities with regards to the computing curriculum and including as much physical computing as possible; trying to apply the ideas of computational thinking to as many aspects as possible, using as much hardware as possible.
Why has Picoh been used at Wormholt to support the evolution of the computing curriculum?
Duncan Hopwood (Computing Lead at Wormholt Park Primary) explains how the Picoh can help teachers to go in-depth with the coding requirements of the computing curriculum.
How have you developed computation thinking with the Year 5 students using the Picoh robot?
Duncan Hopwood (Computing Lead at Wormholt Park Primary) suggests that linking the computation thinking to real world examples develops a greater understanding within the pupils.
How inclusive was the Picoh robot to work with all learners?
Duncan Hopwood (Computing Lead at Wormholt Park Primary) explains that collaboration and conversation is key to develop ALL pupils understanding of coding.
Year 5 pupils can be seen discussing the programming behind the outputs from the Picoh such as telling the time.
Did you use any unplugged activities?
Duncan Hopwood (Computing Lead at Wormholt Park Primary) explains that unplugged activities helped pupils understanding and to access support both from the teacher and their peers.
What problems did you experience with using the Picoh?
Duncan Hopwood (Computing Lead at Wormholt Park Primary) explores how breaking down the algorithms helped children's achievements.
Nic Hughes (Primary Computing Curriculum Advisor, Strictly Education) describes how the pupils' achievements have superseded expectations and have been facilitated by the Picoh pilot. You cannot "cheat" the programming concepts required when using Picohs.
What were the achievements from the Picoh Pilot?
Nic Hughes (Primary Computing Curriculum Advisor, Strictly Education) explains how Picoh can replicate and explore interactions and expression through the programming of the robotic head.
How inclusive is the Picoh robot for all learners?
Belinda Evans (Head of Computing Teaching and Learning Support Service, Strictly Education) explains how exciting the footage of the Ohbot's Near Space Launch is and how it can be used to enhance the children's experience and make cross curricular links.
What resources have been developed to support the Near Space Launch event?
Belinda Evans (Head of Computing Teaching and Learning Support Service, Strictly Education) explains the footage captured and how this can enhance the children’s experience and offer cross-curricular links.
Why should teachers use the Near Space Launch material?
Belinda Evans (Head of Computing Teaching and Learning Support Service, Strictly Education) explains the jeopardy involved in the Near Space Launch and how this can inspire the children’s creative writing and imagination.