Evaluating and improving a program
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can evaluate and improve a program.
Key learning points
- Debugging is the process of finding and correcting errors in programs
- Sound blocks can record audio effects.
- Projects can be improved by adding features.
Keywords
Template - a premade project that you can open and use
Evaluate - to think about what works well and what could be better in a program
Debug - to find and fix errors in a program
Common misconception
If a program works, it doesn’t need evaluating.
Even working programs might need improvement to make them better, like adding new features, and making the program more efficient.
Teacher tip
Debugging is a challenging skill. Remember to first check the code, then the plan, for errors.
Equipment
Pupils will need access to a device with block-based programming software. Examples in this lesson use ScratchJr https://oak.link/scratch-jr
Licence
except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
4 Questions
Q1.In ScratchJr, what are these blocks for?
Q2.What is a precise set of ordered steps that a human or computer can follow to complete a task?
Q3.What happens when you tap a sprite that has a start-on-tap block?
Q4.What does a background do in ScratchJr?
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.Match the keywords to the definitions.
a pre-made project that you can open and use
to think about what works well and what could be better in a program
to find and fix errors in a program
Q2.Which one is the start-on-bump block?
Q3.What are you looking for when you are debugging a program?
Q4.How does the start-on-bump block help you create interesting projects?
To help you plan your 2 computing lesson on: Evaluating and improving a program, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 2 computing lesson on: Evaluating and improving a program, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 1 computing lessons from the Building sequences in programs unit, dive into the full primary computing curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.