Structured programming tasks lead student programmers on a journey from coding constructs to coding a website packed with mini-games.
Students learn through increasingly challenging tasks:
- 18 starter challenges to cover the essential programming constructs
- 10 short practice challenges such as weight converter, quadractic solver and logic gates demo
- 12 standard algorithm challenges covering searching and sorting algorithms, stacks, queues and trees
- 10 games; fun to create and play, from Hangman to Minesweeper!
- Flow diagrams provided for the sorting algorithms, and pseudocode solutions for all starter and short practice tasks, so these can be set as additional practice tasks.
- Student introduction includes positive ways to use AI to support learning
- Working solutions provided
“Very good, comprehensive set of coding exercises that cover all the content that students ned to be able to do and more for the CS spec … I really like the level of challenge and the range of opportunity to practise writing algorithms. I like that the code is well annotated and that students should be able to read through the answers and interpret what has happened based on this … I really enjoyed looking at the games section, there are some very nice, simple activities there that the student can get to grip with and then move on from … The students have to research how and why to write code in a specific way and it challenges the students very well … I love that this gives a clear distinction between the complexities of each algorithm … These games are a lot more gentle and accommodate beginner level coding” – P Cullis, Teacher & Peer Reviewer
“This is a well-rounded and extensive resource that provides a broad spectrum of programming challenges, from foundational constructs to advanced algorithms and games. It is clearly designed with progression in mind, offering students an opportunity to build up their skills incrementally while also engaging them through interactive game development. There are so many different activities for the students to do, took a while to review but loved it … I particularly appreciated the inclusion of full working solutions in both Python and PHP, which is rare and adds flexibility for teachers and students who may be exploring different languages. The mix of practical tasks and algorithm-based challenges is also commendable … a fantastic bank – it would defo help many students. … The educational value lies in the hands-on, progressive nature of the tasks. The resource supports learning-by-doing, which is essential in developing computational thinking and confidence in programming. It offers ample opportunity to practise fundamental concepts while stretching students with more complex, exam-relevant tasks. The inclusion of game-based challenges can motivate learners and encourage creativity … The resource aligns well with the key areas of the specifications, particularly in covering sequence, selection, iteration, and subroutines. The inclusion of standard algorithms like linear/binary search, bubble/merge sort, stacks, queues and tree traversal corresponds directly to A-Level requirements. For GCSE, the basic and intermediate tasks are spot-on for practice and assessment preparation … The resource provides excellent value through its comprehensive coverage and language solutions. It would be particularly useful for flipped learning, independent study, or coding clubs in addition to regular classroom use … This resource is particularly versatile: suitable for both classroom teaching and self-study, and ideal for revision, homework, or as part of a computer science enrichment programme… The blend of real-world programming constructs and creative tasks makes it a strong asset for any department” – C Morgans, Head of Computing & Peer Reviewer
Price includes unlimited photocopying for students attending the purchasing site. Add PDF (+20%) or Editable Word (+50%) upgrade at checkout where available. Orders are normally dispatched in 2-5 working days.
Price is £79
Click here for full details and to order.
ZigZag Education 