A magical password formula: teaching
and using logical reasoning skills
in real life
When was the last time you struggled to remember your password? Frustrated as each attempt is met with red lettering and failed counts, let alone the dreaded ‘You’ve entered the wrong password too many times’. We all do from time to time. So, as students enter KS2 and use technology more and more, they will too.
What if there was an easy way for them to learn how to create memorable, unique and safe passwords at the same time as covering the new computing curriculum topic ‘use logical reasoning to explain how some simple algorithms work’?
Arguably, being able to create (and recall!) efficient passwords is a skill for life, but it’s also an ideal way to cover algorithms at the same time in an engaging way.
Here, we introduce Bob, Barbara, Ben and Bella – the family who keep forgetting their passwords, or using the same one for all websites/apps/games, jeopardising their digital safety.
Bob has an idea to solve everyone’s problems – he can create a simple, easy-to-follow algorithm (a set of instructions which don’t need a computer) for the whole family to use.
The story comes in the form of a digital mystery – students work in small groups reading, grouping and ordering little slips of illustrated information. While they go through them together, not only are they becoming more efficient digital citizens, they’re developing an understanding of what algorithms are.
It is all part of a Windows tool called Digital Mysteries – you only need it on 10 computers to have a class of 30 engaged working in groups of three, as each student can have their own mouse and cursor on the screen. Along with the Bob’s Password mystery, there are lots more included such as more tasks on the computing curriculum plus Maths, History and English.
It costs £400 for a one year subscription for 10 computers, but quote ‘HH20off’ for 20% off. Just click here for more details on how to sign up. You can also email info@reflectivethinking.com or call 0191 603 1960.