# ReadySetCompute > Computer Science Edcuation for All ## Posts - [From Correlation to Causation: What the New Evidence Says About Social Media and Teen Mental Health](https://readysetcompute.com/anxious2026/): For many years, the debate about social media and teen mental health has centred on one key issue: correlation versus causation. While large-scale studies showed that increased social media use was linked with higher levels of anxiety, depression, and self-harm among teenagers, critics argued that this did not prove social media was the cause. That argument is now increasingly difficult to maintain. Psychologist Jonathan Haidt argues that the evidence has moved beyond correlation and now demonstrates causation. He has stated that there are now “tons and tons of evidence of causation” showing that social media platforms are directly contributing to […] - [Vibe Coding Did Not Kill Coding. It Made It Essential.](https://readysetcompute.com/vibexmas25/): Vibe coding is an unbelievable accelerator. Over the Christmas holidays, I built an app that I would previously have estimated would take a full year. That speed-up is real, and it is exciting. But this is not a story about how nobody needs to learn to code anymore. In fact, it is the opposite. Vibe coding means everyone now needs computational thinking, because coding is becoming a foundational skill in the same way spreadsheets did. You do not need to be an accountant to use Excel, but you do need to understand formulas, structure, and data. Coding is heading in […] - [Two AI tools for teachers: different strengths, different uses](https://readysetcompute.com/canvavsopal/): New AI tools are increasingly able to build small interactive experiences or automate everyday tasks without requiring any programming. For teachers, this opens up two very different but equally useful possibilities: improving what students see and interact with in lessons, and reducing the time spent on preparation and administration. These are much easier to use than most vibe coding tools and are largely self-contained. Both are free for educators to use. Canva Code: adding interaction to learning materials Canva Code focuses on creating interactive elements inside Canva designs. Instead of static slides or worksheets, teachers can add simple activities that […] - [Getting the most from the school IT budget](https://readysetcompute.com/foss25/): There are many high-quality digital tools available to teachers at no cost, yet many remain underused. These tools can support lesson planning, teaching, assessment, creativity, and professional development without placing additional strain on school budgets. Quick checklist: free tools for teachers 1) Design and classroom resources Affinity offers professional-grade creative software that is free for teachers through education schemes, providing strong alternatives to paid design tools. Alongside this, Canva for Education offers a free, web-based design platform that is widely used in schools for creating presentations, worksheets, posters, and infographics with minimal setup. Together, these tools cover both professional design […] - [Urgent privacy alert: Lovable may no longer keep projects private](https://readysetcompute.com/lovablealert25/): Educators using AI or no-code platforms should review their project privacy settings immediately following apparent recent changes affecting how “private” projects are handled. Educators increasingly use AI-powered and no-code tools to prototype lessons, build internal resources, and support student learning. Recent user reports and inspection of the Lovable platform, however, suggest a significant change to how project privacy and data usage are handled, with implications for teachers, students, and schools. Update from lovable If you did not specify the privacy before, you now NEED to move it into a workspace. What we changed: – All new projects created are now […] - [Your First ScratchJr Holiday Treat: Unwrapping the Ready, Set, Compute Christmas Project!](https://readysetcompute.com/scratchjrchristmas25/): Ho ho ho, aspiring coders, seasoned hackers, and festive educators! The holidays are upon us and nearly here, and we’ve got a fantastic, cozy project for you to play around with in ScratchJr. This isn’t just any project, it’s your first full Ready, Set, Compute coding adventure, packed with custom assets and ready-to-learn concepts. Think of this project as a perfect, pre-wrapped gift waiting for your students to unbox the code and put their own creative spin on it! Ready for next week before the holidays begin! Santa’s Tools of the Holiday Trade We made sure this project shines bright, and we have our own little North Pole workshop for […] - [Advent Calendar 2025](https://readysetcompute.com/advent25/): Wishing you a wonderful and joyous season from Ready Set Compute! See all the cool surprises as we move up to Christmas! - [Our Five Favourite Hour of AI Activities](https://readysetcompute.com/hourofai25/): The Hour of AI collection brings together a wide mix of activities designed to help students explore artificial intelligence in a simple, hands-on way. After giving them a go, these five stood out. Each one offers something a little different, from game-based problem solving to creative coding and real-world AI exploration. 1. AI Quests (Google) This one feels like a proper adventure rather than a worksheet. Students step into the role of junior AI researchers and work through quests about real problems such as floods, health and the brain. Along the way they see how data quality, human judgement and […] - [Storytelling Beyond the Library: Customising ScratchJr for Deep Personal Learning](https://readysetcompute.com/custom-scratchjr/): Live from FOLSEA at Harrow International School Bangkok Welcome, educators, innovators, and ADEs! If you’d like to follow along with my session in person or whilst reading this blog entry, get all the files here: https://sethideclercq.gumroad.com/l/scratchjr If you are joining me today at the Future of Learning South East Asia (FOLSEA) conference, you know the energy here at Harrow Bangkok is electric. We are surrounded by educators who are pushing the boundaries of what technology can do in the classroom. But as we talk about “The Future of Learning,” I want to zoom in on a tool that is fundamental […] - [Are We Bringing AI Into Classrooms Too Early?](https://readysetcompute.com/tooyoungfolsea25/): Reflections From FOLSEA 2025 At the FOLSEA conference this weekend, the enthusiasm for AI in education was unmistakable. Most discussions focused on the tools themselves and the clever ways teachers are starting to use them. What stood out, though, was how little attention was given to the deeper implications for learning. There is a growing gap between using AI and understanding what it replaces in the learning process. Children build understanding through repetition, correction, and practice. When they read, write, solve problems, or build ideas step by step, they strengthen the neural pathways that support memory and reasoning. This synaptic […] - [How Much Energy Does an AI Query Use?](https://readysetcompute.com/aienergy/): A Simple Comparison Using Everyday Classroom Activities When you search the internet or ask a question to an AI system, energy is used to process your request. Some actions use very little energy, while others require far more. To help make sense of this, we compare AI queries to something everyone understands: photocopying. The Short Answer This article explains how they compare. AI Energy Playground ⚡ AI Energy Playground 🎒 Primary friendly Compare AI to real life Move the sliders to choose how many AI questions and normal searches you use. Then see what that energy is roughly equal to […] - [England’s Curriculum Review: A Global Model for AI and Computing in Education](https://readysetcompute.com/engcurric/): A New Direction for England’s National Curriculum The recent Curriculum and Assessment Review in England marks one of the most significant updates to national education policy in over a decade. Announced alongside the UK Department for Education’s (DfE) official response, the review outlines plans for a world-class curriculum and assessment system for all learners. Led by Professor Becky Francis, the review calls for a shift from the traditional focus on transmitting “the best that has been thought and said” towards equipping students for a rapidly changing, technology-driven world. It places inclusion, relevance, and even a love of learning at the […] - [When AI Hallucinates: What a Misnamed Colleague Taught Me About Data Integrity and Bias](https://readysetcompute.com/aibias/): By ChatGPT & edited by James Abela A few minutes of routine data cleaning turned into a lesson on AI ethics when a language model confidently replaced A. Burke with Andrew Burke—a person who doesn’t exist. In one keystroke, I created a new identity and revealed two core computing problems: hallucination and bias. The Bug While generating a staff feedback table, I decided that the initial “A.” must stand for “Andrew.”There was no such name in the dataset. Yet I confidently expanded the field, violating a simple rule of data handling: never invent when uncertain. This is classic over-confident inference, […] - [Teaching AI with Purpose: Rahayu Mahzam on Singapore’s Digital Future](https://readysetcompute.com/singmin25/): Key Takeaways At the AI for Education forum, Rahayu Mahzam, Minister of State for the Ministry of Digital Development & Information, shared Singapore’s vision for a future where technology serves people — not the other way around. Her message was clear: while AI can be a powerful amplifier for learning and innovation, its use must be intentional, inclusive, and ethical. “Without intentional integration, we risk undermining critical thinking and problem-solving skills that are fundamental to learning,” she said. Rahayu emphasised that education remains central to this mission. Teachers are being equipped with new resources and frameworks to guide students in […] - [The AI Curriculum You Weren’t Meant to Read: Inside China’s Classrooms](https://readysetcompute.com/chinaai/): A National Mission, Not Just a Subject While most countries are still debating how to fit Artificial Intelligence (AI) into the school curriculum, China has already made it a national priority. AI education is not seen as an optional skill for a select few, but as a foundation of future citizenship. This approach is embedded within China’s broader strategy to make AI the driving force of its technological and social development. From the national New Generation Artificial Intelligence Development Plan to the Ministry of Education’s guidelines on AI in schools, the direction is clear: every student, from primary to secondary, […] - [From Packing Spices to Programming](https://readysetcompute.com/spice/): This week I’ve been on a coaching course and had a lot of great conversations with people, but one piece of advice I fundamentally disagree is, “Follow your passion.” It sounds like the key to happiness, but I have never been fully convinced by that advice. Passion can fade, and not every passion leads to work that pays the bills. I have always believed it makes more sense to focus on what you are good at, what adds value to others, and what allows you to build a stable, independent life. I started life in a small town in the […] - [From Algorithms to Awareness: How Education Can Respond to Unregulated AI](https://readysetcompute.com/aiwar/): Please note there is a small amount of offensive language in the clip. Artificial intelligence is reshaping society faster than any previous technology, and in his talk The Dangers of Unregulated AI on Humanity and the Workforce, Tristan Harris warns that without guidance or regulation, it could erode the very structures that hold our communities together. He describes a future where decisions that once required human reflection are delegated to algorithms optimised for profit rather than people. These systems, built by a small number of powerful companies, already influence what we see, believe, and value. Left unchecked, they risk deepening […] - [From Netscape to ChatGPT: Why Schools Must Stop Teaching to the Tool](https://readysetcompute.com/netscape/): When the internet first arrived in schools, we focused on how to click. With AI, we’re at risk of doing it again. - [🗝️Making Escape rooms in Google Forms](https://readysetcompute.com/escaperooms/): Google Form escape rooms are an innovative way to combine learning with play, turning assessments into interactive challenges. By using sections, response validation, and branching, teachers can design puzzles that require students to apply knowledge, solve problems, and unlock the next stage of the activity. This format not only increases engagement but also supports mastery learning, as students must demonstrate understanding before progressing. Whether themed around science labs, historical mysteries, or digital adventures, Google Form escape rooms create a classroom experience that is both fun and academically rigorous. 1. Plan Your Storyline 2. Set Up Your Form 3. Organise with […] - [Hands-On to Minds-On: Growing Computational Thinking](https://readysetcompute.com/piagetcompthink/): Computational thinking is more than pressing buttons on a robot. It involves sequencing (ordering steps), iteration (repeating steps), and selection (making decisions based on conditions). These ideas develop gradually as children move through Piaget’s stages of cognitive growth. Unplugged activities and tools like Bee-Bots, Tell-Tale, and Loti-Bots help learners touch, test, and refine these ideas in age-appropriate ways. Sensorimotor Stage (0–2 years): Cause and Effect Foundations At this age, children explore the world physically. While they are not yet learning coding concepts, they are building the base for later skills. Unplugged Ideas: This repeated play is the earliest form of […] - [Quicksort: An Elegant Sorting Algorithm](https://readysetcompute.com/quicksort/): Quicksort is one of the most widely used sorting algorithms in computer science. First developed by Tony Hoare in 1959, it has stood the test of time because of its efficiency and elegance. At its heart, Quicksort follows a divide-and-conquer strategy: the data is repeatedly split into smaller sections, which are then sorted individually until the whole list is ordered. How Quicksort Works The algorithm begins by selecting a pivot element from the list. All values smaller than the pivot are moved to one side, while values greater than the pivot are moved to the other. Once this partitioning is […] - [How Tech Directors Can Stay in Control of the Sales Process](https://readysetcompute.com/purchasingbetter/): I’ve recently noticed a surge of salespeople reaching out. With a high profile on LinkedIn, the approaches come thick and fast — some from simple AI bots, others from real people offering genuine products. The question for those of us working in education is the same: how do we ensure we secure the best value for our schools? Salespeople are trained in persuasion. From building rapport to creating urgency, their aim is to guide you towards a “yes.” While this can make conversations efficient, it also risks decisions being made on emotion rather than objective value. For tech directors responsible […] - [Young People Finding It Tough: What Can Be Done?](https://readysetcompute.com/genzjobhunt/): The Rise of Employment Pessimism Among Generation Z As the author of Parenting and Teaching in the age of AI, none of this surprises me but what can actually be done to make a difference for our children? Every time technology moves forward, the cognitive demands moves forward and its now creating two segments that continue to succeed. Those that work with their hands, because robotics is some way off replacing them such as plumbers and electricians and those that are truly innovative and can out think the regurgitation of the machines. Those in the middle are being squeezed out […] - [Building a Thoughtful Future: Po-Shen Loh on Humanity in the Age of AI](https://readysetcompute.com/po-shen/): Introduction This video was first recommended to me by one of my former students who went on to study at Carnegie Mellon University. At first, I’ll admit, I was a little sceptical. There are so many talks about AI these days, and too often they fall into the same clichés about how it will “change everything.” But when I sat down to watch Po-Shen Loh’s talk, I quickly realised it was something very different. Thoughtful, original, and deeply human, it was in a completely different class from the usual AI commentary. This is the question explored by Po-Shen Loh, a […] - [Is English the friend or enemy of ASEAN AI?](https://readysetcompute.com/aifriendenemy/): We all gave our introductions and I discussed how coding has changed in the age of AI, with a much stronger emphasis on assessing the learning and focusing on process rather than results. I shared that replit doesn’t just have suitable code for questions, but had my actual answers! It forced me to rethink how we assess coding and how to ensure students see the value in the learning itself rather than just results. Admittedly many curricula are now turning back to examinations rather than coursework and this is a short term view. We hope in the long term, that […] - [Education Briefing: AI and Learning at the ASEAN AI Malaysia Summit 2025](https://readysetcompute.com/asean2025briefing/): The ASEAN AI Malaysia Summit 2025 brought together leaders from across Southeast Asia to discuss the future of artificial intelligence (AI) in the region. The event highlighted key initiatives and policies with direct relevance to education, skills development, and equitable access to AI technologies. 1. National Strategy for AI Literacy and Skills Minister of Digital Malaysia, Gobind Singh Deo, emphasised that AI must deliver “real, inclusive benefits for every Malaysian”, including those in rural and underserved communities.Key measures include: 2. Regional Governance and Ethics ASEAN Secretary General, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, confirmed the adoption of: For education, these frameworks provide […] - [Annotating PDFs on iOS: A Complete Guide for Teachers and Students](https://readysetcompute.com/ipadannotations/): Annotating PDFs is a common task for both learning and teaching, whether it’s marking assignments, highlighting study materials, or adding feedback. On iOS (iPad and iPhone), you have several options — from built-in tools to dedicated annotation apps. 1. Built-in iOS Options Files app Pros: Cons: Apple Books Pros: Cons: 2. Annotating PDFs in Google Drive (iOS) The Google Drive app supports basic PDF markup through iOS Markup: Pros: Cons: 3. Annotating PDFs in Google Classroom (iOS) Google Classroom includes its own PDF annotation tool: Pros: Cons: 4. Best Third-Party Apps for Heavy PDF Annotation If you annotate PDFs regularly […] - [My reflections after leading a workshop with Singapore’s School Leaders](https://readysetcompute.com/my-reflections-after-leading-a-workshop-with-singapores-school-leaders/): Anyone in education will know about the words; Professional Development. And sometimes this takes the form of online courses, INSET days with colleagues, invited Speakers, or Workshops! And then there are moments in education when something is technically a workshop but it feels less like a formal workshop and more like a genuine planting of potential. A day when you can sense the early roots of change taking hold. Last week in Singapore I had the opportunity to lead a day of learning, hosted at Google HQ Singapore and coordinated by AppsEDU. A group of principals and vice principals from […] - [Create stories automatically with Gemini & the STAGE system!](https://readysetcompute.com/stage/): Google’s Gemini Storybook is a creative AI tool that can instantly generate personalised, illustrated, and narrated stories from a simple prompt. Teachers can use it to produce engaging story content for learners in multiple languages, tailoring the narrative to specific vocabulary, grammar levels, and cultural contexts. By combining Gemini Storybook’s visual and audio features with the STAGE method below, you can create prompts that yield rich, learner-appropriate narratives. S – Style T – Tongue A – Actor G – Ground E – Events STAGE Formula (with CEFR integration) Example Entries Example 1 Write a story in German, level Goethe-Zertifikat B2, […] - [ChatGPT Study Mode](https://readysetcompute.com/chatgptstudymode/): One of the newest additions to ChatGPT is a feature called Study Mode. This tool turns the chatbot into a focused study companion, helping learners organise their revision and understand topics in more detail. I think its important to note that Study mode is more for use when preparing for exams rather than doing assignments. One key limitation is that Study mode can’t be used with Projects. In a lot of ways, its like having an artificial study buddy. This is not an anti-cheating mode or anything like that, but rather a tool to help students pass tests. What is […] - [Using Data Wisely: FFT, CEM and MAP in Different School Contexts](https://readysetcompute.com/fftcemmap/): Guest post By Anthony Orme  Schools today have access to a wide range of assessment data to help track and support student progress. Among the most widely used are Fisher Family Trust (FFT), CEM, and MAP assessments. Each offers a slightly different approach, and it is worth thinking carefully about how these tools are used to inform teaching and learning. FFT and CEM provide predictive data and value-added measures that are particularly well suited to schools offering qualifications such as IGCSEs and A Levels. In contrast, MAP assessments tend to be more closely aligned with US curricula and focus on […] - [Using Minecraft EDU in counselling and therapy](https://readysetcompute.com/minecraftcounselling/): For many children and young people, sitting face-to-face with a therapist and talking about feelings can feel overwhelming. But what if therapy could take place in a familiar digital world—one where they already feel safe, creative, and in control? That’s exactly what’s happening with the use of Minecraft Education Edition in therapy. In a growing number of counselling rooms and school wellbeing hubs, therapists are turning to this popular block-building game as a new form of digital sand-tray therapy. And the results are promising. Why Minecraft? Minecraft’s appeal is obvious. Children know it, love it, and feel at home there. […] - [Google & Microsoft Go Full AI for EDU (ISTE)](https://readysetcompute.com/iste25/): Because I am not actually at ISTE, I’ve got plenty of time to go through the press releases and updates. The big one is that Google has released a flurry of goodies to help teachers in the classroom, they are at a variety of price points, but I’ve noticed they’ve increased free access to quite a lot of tools. This is where its at, Google Vids, we were using it at Google Malaysia a few weeks ago and it really helps to make effective slide shows and revision materials. They’re expanding basic access to Google Vids, making it available to […] - [Microsoft's 2025 AI in Education Report](https://readysetcompute.com/ms2025airep/): Microsoft’s 2025 AI in Education report offers a comprehensive look at how schools, teachers, and students are embracing AI tools to enhance learning, improve efficiency, and build essential future-ready skills. From Time-Saver to Thought Partner Across 86% of educational institutions surveyed, generative AI is already in use – the highest rate of adoption across any sector. But what’s truly exciting is how AI is evolving beyond being a time-saving assistant. Educators are now using it as a catalyst for creativity, conversation, and collaboration. Students in Fulton County Schools, USA, for instance, use Copilot Chat not to write essays, but to […] - [Practical AI for Classrooms, Shared at Google Malaysia](https://readysetcompute.com/googlemalaysia/): Last Thursday, I had the pleasure of running a session at Google Malaysia for a group of passionate and forward-thinking educators. It was inspiring to see how quickly they connected with the possibilities of AI in education. Many were particularly excited by the power of Google Gemini and how seamlessly it integrates with Google Classroom to enhance teaching and learning. We explored practical tools such as AI-summarised emails and Google Vids, which make lesson planning, communication, and content creation more efficient and engaging. A key message that resonated was that AI isn’t here to replace teachers—it’s here to empower them. […] - [The Future of Coding: Inside the Mind of GitHub’s CEO, Thomas Dohmke](https://readysetcompute.com/githubceo/): By James Abela When Thomas Dohmke first saw GPT-3, he didn’t believe it. The syntax, the accuracy, the apparent magic of it all—surely a language model couldn’t write real, working code? But then it did. And that single moment, that blink of disbelief turned wonder, was the spark that has lit up the entire world of software development. In a recent conversation with tech YouTuber Matthew Berman, Dohmke painted a bold, thrilling picture of what comes next for programming. Spoiler: it’s less about typing lines of code and more about collaborating with AI to bring ideas to life faster than […] - [CodeForMe + Canva Pages: Build & Publish a Towers of Hanoi Game in 10 Minutes (No Coding!)](https://readysetcompute.com/codeforme-canva/): Built a classic logic game in minutes. Didn’t write a single line of code. Didn’t check the code. Didn’t need to. And yet, everything worked beautifully, even on mobile. This is the story, and breakdown so you can do it too, of how I used Canva’s new AI toolset, specifically CodeForMe, to build and publish a fully playable, mobile-responsive Towers of Hanoi game… in under 10 minutes. Oh and did I mention it follow my school’s Branding guidelines! Bonus points! Scroll to the bottom to find the full prompt I used and feel free to copy and adapt it for your […] - [Instagram: The Junk Food Slot Machine of the Digital Age](https://readysetcompute.com/instajunk/): Instagram is no longer just a social app — it’s a slot machine in your pocket. And for millions of young people, it’s shaping their sense of self in ways that are both addictive and corrosive. Increasingly described as the junk food of the digital world, Instagram offers instant hits of attention and validation but delivers little substance — and often leaves users worse off. Behind its polished filters and curated images lies a system engineered for compulsion, comparison, and control. A Generation Rewired In his 2024 book The Anxious Generation, psychologist Jonathan Haidt identifies a seismic shift in childhood […] - [How people are using Generative AI](https://readysetcompute.com/gptusage25/): Based on the research of Marc Zao-Sanders who analysed a large amount of Reddit posts. These are the current popular categories. As you can see AIs are becoming people’s partners in both their personal and professional lives. People are turning to AI for therapy and this is seen as the number 1 use of generative models. The non-judgmental nature of AI has made it incredibly popular in this area and the feeling that the AI will not tell anybody their deepest thoughts. This could be both a boon to mental health, but also a concern that people are becoming increasingly […] - [May the 4th be with you!](https://readysetcompute.com/may4th25/): We would like to wish all of our readers a very happy StarWars day and May the 4th be with you! We are also sharing a few fun StarWars based lesson plans, so that your students can enjoy this fun celebration. Yoda Speak Code! (KS2) In this fun Javascript example we show you how to speak like Yoda! You can then turn this into an enjoyable Python lesson where students can code their own Yoda speaking bot. Yoda-Speak Generator Yoda-Speak Generator for School Type or edit your sentence: Convert Yoda says: Try a random school sentence Insert Example Here is […] - [GPT Wrapper rip offs - Make your own AI!](https://readysetcompute.com/gptwrapper/): Even if you are not coder, it is important to know the difference between the very significant work that goes into making a Large Language model such as ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude or Deepseek and a wrapper which calls upon an API and minimally processes what you get. These wrappers have been used to skirt age limits and create a legal grey area where their own age limits are not aligned with the original LLMs intentions. Some will sneak terms and conditions in minimising their liability to the bare minimum. In such a situation, would you not rather have full control […] - ["Adolescence" series scares school leadership](https://readysetcompute.com/adolescencenetflix/): It would appear that the show “Adolescence” has really hit a nerve and a lot school leadership has been watching it over the school holidays and then immediately turning to the most ‘techy’ teacher they know to say that they need to sort it out, so that they don’t end up with a situation like in the show. Unfortunately, in many cases they seem to be looking for technical solutions when in fact what we should be reviewing what is in the fact the first thing that nearly every teacher gets told day 1 of teacher training, “It’s all about […] - [AI - Using the Real Thing!](https://readysetcompute.com/realthing/): As AI tools rapidly make their way into classrooms, marking policies, lesson planning, and even how students write essays, it’s increasingly important for educators to understand not just what these tools do, but how they work. Among the most popular AI models in education are Claude (Anthropic), ChatGPT (OpenAI), DeepSeek, and Copilot (Microsoft). Each of these tools brings something different to the table—and knowing those differences is key to using them well and teaching AI literacy confidently. One of the biggest distinctions between these models is how they handle memory and personalization. OpenAI’s ChatGPT, particularly in its GPT-4-turbo version, is […] - [Everyone Should Be Listening to GTA 6’s Publisher About AI](https://readysetcompute.com/gtaai/): At the 2024 Game Developers Conference in San Francisco, artificial intelligence (AI) was everywhere — from Nvidia’s booth to trailers allegedly generated by AI that no one wanted to take credit for. Yet amidst the hype, some key voices in the gaming industry pushed back. In his article “Everyone Should Be Listening to Grand Theft Auto 6’s Publisher About AI”, journalist Andrew King (2024) highlights a perspective that educators, not just game developers, should be paying attention to. One of the most striking quotes comes from Strauss Zelnick, CEO of Take-Two Interactive (publisher of Grand Theft Auto), who said: “I’m […] - [Day 3 EARCOS 2025](https://readysetcompute.com/earcos25/): Also see day 1 and day 2 The day began with a first class presentation from Michelle Cummings (author) and I very much enjoyed her caring approach to teaching students. Her favourite educational AI apps for planning are Brisk Teaching (She is now working for them), Suno (makes songs), NotebookLM (currently 18+) and NapkinAI. She also showed us the professional deck that Brisk has made to help educators. There’s a lot of good content about AI as well as how to use Brisk itself. I will admit when I first saw her slides, I was thinking you’ve not switched the […] - [Day 2 of EARCOS 2025](https://readysetcompute.com/earcos25d2/): This was absolutely action packed! I didn’t expect to be opening the second day of the show and I have to say it had a completely different vibe to yesterday’s keynote. This was a real celebration of what the best teachers can do and a great reminder that for many of us, its literally carry on! James Stronge & Leslie Grant reminded us that it really does come down to relationships, great teachers care about their students and I loved the reaffirmation of the key things that make us teachers. One important note, is that student directed was not a […] - [Day 1 of EARCOS 2025](https://readysetcompute.com/day-1-of-earcos/): I opened the conference and welcomed Ken Shelton onto the stage. The focus was on AI and ensuring we use it responsibly and after the keynote I had a good chat with him. There is a lot going on in generative AI and most teachers are finding this a great challenge, teachers have divided into two camps, the gung-ho let us use it for everything and those that don’t want change and only want AI detection to lock down the students from using it in their work. I discussed how we are using it in computing and the fact that […] - [First Round Part 2](https://readysetcompute.com/first-round-part-2/): Round 1 Matchups and Discussion Highlights 8th March (Round 1.8): Lego Prime vs. Vex GO This matchup brought out strong opinions from educators, particularly regarding long-term learning pathways and support ecosystems. Vex GO received widespread praise for its structured progression, allowing students to seamlessly transition to VEX IQ and VEX V5 as they advance in their learning. The well-established VEX ecosystem, including student competitions and a comprehensive support system, was a significant factor in its favour. On the other hand, Spike Prime was recognised for its flexibility, particularly in programming languages. It supports both block coding and Python, making it […] - [The First Week of March Madness](https://readysetcompute.com/firstweekmchmdness2025/): The First Week of March Madness: Computing EdTech Showdowns! March Madness isn’t just for basketball! In the world of educational technology, teachers and edtech enthusiasts have been weighing in on the best tools for classroom coding and robotics. We hosted an exciting series of matchups between some of the most popular learning tools, and the results sparked fantastic discussions. Here’s a deep dive into the first week’s battles and what educators had to say about each contender. Round 1: Beebot vs. Dash & Dot One of the first matchups saw Bee-bot take on Dash & Dot, stirring passionate discussions among […] - [Computer Science was Female invented](https://readysetcompute.com/iwd2025/): Computer science was originally female-invented and remained female-dominated until the 1960s. While a man may have stepped on the moon, it was a woman who calculated how to get him there. We often hear about the father of the web, but few know about the mother of the internet—she invented the Spanning Tree Protocol, an essential technology that keeps our networks running, unnoticed until it fails. Back in the 1990’s, during my gap year, I had the opportunity to work with Sophie Wilson, the mind behind the RISC chip found in every modern phone.When I began teaching Computer Science, I […] - [March Binary Madness Round 1](https://readysetcompute.com/march-binary-madness/): To get everyone talking about Primary Computing, we’ve introduced a March Madness! The first round sees a face off between the 20 year old Beebots and Dot and Dash! It’s an interesting pairing with both camps absolutely sure, their robot is the winner. So let us see who actually wins this classic battle of the Titans! Each day all you have to do is pick your favourite and vote! The real aim of this is to encourage discussion on your favourite social media platforms and generate awareness of all these wonderful products! The winner then moves onto the next round […] - [Computational Thinking Playground](https://readysetcompute.com/helsinkiplayground/): The Computer Playground in Helsinki is a free, open-to-all space designed to introduce children to coding through play and physical activity. The playground features interactive wooden structures and signs that guide children in understanding basic programming concepts like sequencing—for example, performing specific actions in order while jumping on a trampoline. Children learn coding principles in an intuitive and playful way, often without realizing it. Activities like double jumps with tricks mirror the logic of algorithms, making concepts like sequencing and problem-solving feel natural. The playground encourages experiential learning, allowing kids to “crawl inside a computer” by engaging in movement-based play. […] - [The Power of Rubber Duck Debugging](https://readysetcompute.com/rubber-duck-debugging/): Thinking Aloud as a Metacognitive Strategy If you’ve ever tried to explain a problem to someone else, and suddenly found the solution yourself, you’ve experienced the magic of “Rubber Duck Debugging.” This quirky, yet highly effective, method is not just for coders. It’s a metacognitive strategy that’s equally transformative in education. In my own teaching practice, the influence of this technique has been so profound that I’ve even named my class “The Ducks Class” in honour of the method that encourages learners to articulate their thought processes. So what Is Rubber Duck Debugging? Rubber Duck Debugging is all about verbalising […] - [TeachmeetKL: AI and Digital Tools for the Classroom](https://readysetcompute.com/teachmeetklfeb25/): As artificial intelligence and digital tools continue to march forward, educators in Kuala Lumpur are exploring innovative ways to integrate them into their teaching. From AI-powered writing assistance to game-based learning, here are some insights from teachers and experts on useful tools and strategies. AI for Efficiency and Engagement Many educators are leveraging AI to streamline tasks and enhance learning experiences. James Abela has developed AI-powered Teacher Time Savers, (available shortly for registered users of this site) while Vinny Stocker has created an AI student report writer (TeachReports.com). Meanwhile, Saman Ahmed explores strategies for getting staff on board with AI, […] - [Why computer programming is about more than perfect code](https://readysetcompute.com/teded/): You can imagine the scenario, I was running a Scratch Day coding event,. I was thrilled to see such a great turnout, with kids who were genuinely excited to be there—some had even traveled quite far. During the break, Barry’s parents approached me and told me that this was the first event he had ever wanted to attend and the first time he had agreed to speak in front of people. They thanked me, saying they wished all schools offered coding because, for Barry, it had been life-changing. He had been bullied, was incredibly introverted, and coding was the only […] - [Demystifying Machine Learning through a recommendation system](https://readysetcompute.com/mlrecsystem/): Too much has been written about Artificial Intelligence being a black box and computer scientists don’t understand how these programs go about making decisions. This can be true once a system has been scaled up, but the fundamentals are still based on binary and computers selecting the right choice. A really good place to start is with a machine learning recommendation system, because they go right back to the roots of binary. Either somebody clicked on the recommendation or they did not. (It is useful if students understand the idea that everything in a computer is binary first).   This subset […] - [Key Changes to IB Diploma Computer Science](https://readysetcompute.com/ibchanges2025/): The revised IB Computer Science curriculum has shifted its emphasis from software engineering to core computer science principles. This update aligns with the evolving nature of the discipline, incorporating applied computational thinking to solve complex problems. The course has removed pseudocode and replaced it with a choice of Python or Java. Object-oriented programming now plays a significant role in the course and the case study has been integrated into Paper 1, ensuring students engage with relevant topics. Key Changes to the Course Assessment Structure Standard Level (SL) Higher Level (HL) Notable Assessment Updates For further details do take a look […] - [Encouraging empathy through student made apps](https://readysetcompute.com/empathyapp/): One of the challenges when teaching programming is that students do not see a purpose in it. Some students are motivated by puzzles, solving problems, and making progress, but this does not encourage everyone to learn more, and it certainly does not show the context of why students are learning computing. Which is why in our school, we introduce a design thinking project early on in students’ coding journey. This is done after students have learnt basic, selection, iteration and functions through Python and Turtle. The process of thinking about others and connecting that to the skills they have just […] - [Coding Without a Computer? Yes, You Can!](https://readysetcompute.com/unplugged/): You don’t need a screen to teach computational thinking! Unplugged activities help students develop problem-solving skills in a fun and interactive way. You Don’t Need a Screen to Teach Computational Thinking! When we think about coding, we often picture students in front of a computer, typing away as they bring their ideas to life. But computational thinking—the problem-solving process at the heart of coding—doesn’t have to start with a screen. In fact, some of the best ways to introduce students to coding concepts are completely unplugged! Unplugged coding activities help students develop essential problem-solving skills in a fun, interactive, and […] - [Unlocking Computational Thinking in the Classroom](https://readysetcompute.com/computationalthinking/): In today’s digital-first world, teaching computational thinking (CT) is as fundamental as literacy and numeracy. Whether or not students pursue careers in computer science, the ability to think logically, break down complex problems, and recognize patterns is invaluable in nearly every aspect of life. But what exactly is computational thinking, and why should educators prioritize it in the classroom? What Is Computational Thinking? Computational thinking is a problem-solving process that involves: The term computational thinking was first used by Seymour Papert in 1980 and popularised by Jeannette Wing as a result of a Communications of the ACM essay on the subject (2006), […] ## Pages - [Python Challenge Random Selector](https://readysetcompute.com/pythonchallenges/) - [Contact Us](https://readysetcompute.com/contact-us/): Loading… - [Hello World Resources](https://readysetcompute.com/hw/): This is where resources for Hello World will appear. - [FREE ReadySetCompute Resources](https://readysetcompute.com/members-area/free-resources/): Welcome to the FREE Resources Page. This page contains resources developed by ReadySetCompute and shared freely. As a free member you have access to these as well as SEACSTA Resources. - [SEACSTA Resources](https://readysetcompute.com/members-area/seacsta/): Welcome to the SEACSTA Resources. This page contains resources developed by the SEACSTA(South East Asian Computer Science Teacher Association) Community and shared freely. 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All registered members have access to the Python Challenge Generator Select your membership page: Coming Soon Coming Soon Coming Soon Select your School Membership page: If you do not have an account yet, register now. - [March Binary Madness](https://readysetcompute.com/marchbinarymadness25/): This is the ultimate showdown of the finest 32 tools we can find to help teach computing! Each day, two tools go head-to-head in a vote, decided by you! Winners advance to the next round and losers are eliminated. Who will win? Vote Now! Round 2 (Currently Open) All the votes are in and we had a lot of votes come through! Here are the next 8 match ups. All vs are open and we will announce the winners Round 1 (Finished) This round is closed but you can read our full write up with many comments from educators here:Part […] - [Thank You](https://readysetcompute.com/thank-you/) - [Password Reset](https://readysetcompute.com/membership-login/password-reset/) - [Profile](https://readysetcompute.com/membership-login/membership-profile/) - [Member Login](https://readysetcompute.com/membership-login/) - [Registration](https://readysetcompute.com/membership-join/membership-registration/) - [Edit Your Profile](https://readysetcompute.com/register/edit-your-profile/): [rcp_profile_editor] - [Your Membership](https://readysetcompute.com/register/your-membership/):  Welcome, Links to resources coming soon! - [Welcome](https://readysetcompute.com/register/welcome/): Welcome! You are now a member of ReadySet Compute Find you Profile page here: Link The Member Area here: Coming Soon And additional Resources here: Coming Soon - [Register](https://readysetcompute.com/register/): [register_form] - [Home](https://readysetcompute.com/): Made by Teachers for Teachers CS made Easy Comprehensive educational resources for students and educators, from computational thinking and unplugged activities to coding basics and advanced algorithms. - [About](https://readysetcompute.com/about/): Our Story About us Sethi De Clercq & James Abela With decades of combined experience in education, we are passionate about empowering teachers and students with the skills they need to thrive in an ever-changing world. Our focus has always been on making learning engaging, practical, and accessible—whether through computational thinking, hands-on technology integration, or high-quality professional development. Our Story Starts in early 1998 James began his career in computing in 1998, first in industry and then in education, where he found his true passion; helping students think computationally. Over the years, he has authored books, written journal articles, and […] - [Our Blog](https://readysetcompute.com/blog/) [comment]: # (Generated by Hostinger Tools Plugin)