Support for schools

Introduction

This page contains links to resources for schools created by Sandy Garner and Anthony Robins at the Computer Science Department, University of Otago.

PFST101 - A course for teachers

Programming For Secondary Teachers (PFST101) is an online course on programming in Python, tailored to the NCEA programming standards. It is being offered (in conjunction with Otago's College of Education) in the second semester (running from 31 August to 14 December 2015). Please see this pdf for details, and this page for responses to some frequently asked questions.

Programming workbooks

We have written workbooks to support the NCEA programming standards, with versions in both Java and Python:

  • Year 12 Programming and Problem Solving: Student Workbook In Python
  • Year 12 Programming and Problem Solving: Student Workbook In Java
  • Year 13 Programming With Objects And Graphical User Interfaces: Student Workbook In Python
  • Year 13 Programming With Objects And Graphical User Interfaces: Student Workbook In Java

Find out more here.

Notes on the standards

We have written some notes on the programming standards, including interpretations of the Achieved Merit and Excellence step-ups, and including example programs (in Python). These have been presented at various CS4HS events 2011-2013. They have no "official" status, they are just our opinions and informal advice.

Find out more here.

Robotics

We think robotics is a great platform for teaching programming. We may develop some resources for this in the future. In the meantime - you might want to consider the annual RoboCup Junior competition.