Category Archives: pre-course

Laptop computer for PGCE trainee teacher

This weekend I decided that it would be good idea to get my laptop computer ready for the start of the PGCE ICT computing course. For me, this has meant installing Windows 7 as a second operating system alongside Ubuntu Linux … Continue reading

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Algorithm and code to reverse words in a sentence

After criticizing sample code in Understanding Computer Science by Ray Bradley, I thought that I should write my own program to reverse the words in a sentence or string of words, without using a regular expression. Bradley doesn’t define what … Continue reading

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Preliminary meeting with primary school teacher (PGCE primary observation)

This Friday I must travel to London to register for the PGCE ICT with Computing course at King’s College London. The following Monday we have an introductory session at the university and for the remainder of the week I will … Continue reading

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Computational thinking and programming for CS students

I’m currently reading through Understanding Computer Science for Advanced Level (The Study Guide) by Ray Bradley, 2001. Chapter 7 includes code that takes a string of words which it then outputs in reverse order. For example, I am a programmer … Continue reading

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Assembly language

Assembly language is a low-level programming language that uses mnemonics to represent machine code instructions. Programs written in assembly language must be translated into machine code before they are executed by the processor. Assembly is a second-generation programming language. An … Continue reading

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What is machine code?

Machine code is a first-generation programming language. Machine language consists of binary codes that give direct instructions to the microprocessor. Programs written using other higher level programming languages must be translated into machine code before they are run. Machine code … Continue reading

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Different types of computer software

Computer software can be grouped into two major categories: system software and application software. System software provides basic functionality to other programs and usually has a close relationship with the computer hardware. Most computer systems have a BIOS (Basic Input … Continue reading

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Simple definitions for computer hardware and software

Computer hardware refers to physical devices including but not limited to microprocessors (CPUs), memory, hard disks, and peripheral computer equipment. Computer software includes operating systems and other programs that run on hardware.

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Address bus, data bus, and control bus explained

Early computer buses used parallel electric wires to transfer data. For example, an 8-bit bus used eight wires plus ground. Modern computer buses can use parallel or serial connections but they essentially serve the same purpose of transporting binary data … Continue reading

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Transport advice for mature students in London

My PGCE course at King’s College London starts in just over a week and this will be the first time that I have lived or worked in London. I still don’t know where I’ll be living for sure, but I’m … Continue reading

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