Recent examples of content are outlined below, including a link to the appropriate article, video, etc where feasible.
Magazines
TES (Times Educational Supplement) – https://www.tes.com/ – authoring articles and providing comments on computing related content, including – https://www.tes.com/magazine/archived/lets-get-physical
Hello World – https://helloworld.raspberrypi.org/ – contributor to each issue, including recent articles on:
- Issue 21 – Leading primary computing
- Issue 20 – Technology preservation
- Issue 18 – Cybersecurity and video games
- Issue 17 – Behaviour Management in the computing classroom
- Issue 16 – Game based learning in the computing curriculum
- Issue 15 – Retro video games in the computing curriculum
- Issue 14 – Geocaching: a real-world treasure hunt using online technology
- Issue 13 – How to keep well when teaching from home
Academic text books
2023. Computing. In Majid N. ed. Essential subject knowledge for primary teaching. SAGE / Learning Matters: London – https://uk.sagepub.com/en-gb/eur/essential-subject-knowledge-for-primary-teaching/book284015 Amazon – https://www.amazon.co.uk/Essential-Subject-Knowledge-Primary-Teaching/dp/1529611938/
2017. Computing curriculum: New opportunities for communication and collaboration. In Jones D. & Hodson P. ed. Unlocking Speaking and Listening: Developing Spoken Language in the Primary Classroom (Unlocking Series). 3rd edition. Routledge: Abingdon – https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781315232676-11/computing-curriculum-neil-rickus Amazon – https://www.amazon.co.uk/Unlocking-Speaking-Listening-Deborah-Jones/dp/1138292729/
Educational resources
Cambridge University Press – Cambridge Primary Computing – Teacher Resources – Level 1 – Level 2 – Level 3
Cambridge University Press – Cambridge International AS & A Level IT Coursebook
Computing at School – Primary leaders’ toolkit – https://www.computingatschool.org.uk/leading-computing/primary-leaders-toolkit
Barefoot Computing – Various lesson plans and resources, including Climate Champions and Be Cyber Smart – https://www.barefootcomputing.org/cyber Educational consultant for Phisherman game – https://barefootgames.org/the-phisherman
National Centre for Computing Education – Teach Computing Curriculum – Various lesson plans and resources, including Y4 – Audio Editing – https://teachcomputing.org/curriculum/key-stage-2/creating-media-audio-editing and Y6 – 3D Modelling – https://teachcomputing.org/curriculum/key-stage-2/creating-media-3d-modelling
Cambridge Assessment International – Author / Reviewer of Primary and Lower Secondary Digital Literacy – https://www.cambridgeinternational.org/programmes-and-qualifications/cambridge-primary/curriculum/digital-literacy/ and Computing – https://www.cambridgeinternational.org/programmes-and-qualifications/cambridge-primary/curriculum/computing/ curriculum content
Other – Programming with Scratch – A step-by-step guide, linked to the English National Curriculum, for primary school teacher – Revision 3 (Summer 2018)
Web
Link (journal) – Using video games within computer science education to introduce primary students to programming concepts – https://www.herts.ac.uk/link/recent-contributions/computer-programming-for-primary-students
Computing at School – Regular contributor of website content, including – https://www.computingatschool.org.uk/news-and-blogs/2021/september/reflecting-on-remote-education
Game Rant – occasional contributor of video game articles – https://gamerant.com/author/neil-rickus/
Rising Stars – Author of website content, including blog posts – https://www.risingstars-uk.com/blog/november-2016-(1)/we-are-network-technicians
ViewSonic – Guest blogger for a range of posts, including – https://www.viewsonic.com/library/education/what-is-blended-learning/
Videos, webinars and podcasts
British Computer Society (BCS) – What parents need to know about the power of positive gaming – https://www.bcs.org/events-calendar/2021/november/webinar-what-parents-need-to-know-about-the-power-of-positive-gaming/
#exaflicks – High score panel discussion – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZkVFXTyWNRE
Hello World Podcast – Do not disturb: how to keep well when teaching – https://helloworld.raspberrypi.org/articles/podcast
Brighter Thinking Pod (from Cambridge University Press) – Teaching programming to primary and secondary learners – https://brighterthinkingpod.libsyn.com/ep-36-teaching-programming-to-primary-and-lower-secondary-learners
YouTube – Content examples include: – First use of BBC micro:bit app for iOS – https://youtu.be/uUBuhCpfeOQ – CAS Inspire – Active minds, active bodies – Treasure Hunt – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYBtcXZLQUM – CAS Virtual Showcase 2021 – Resources and guidance to support primary computing leads – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UeciOFRaGDQ – Barefoot Live – https://youtu.be/fEJFMBd9IKs
CPD resources
National Centre for Computing Education – Author – Assessing computational thinking in primary schools – https://teachcomputing.org/courses/CP457/assessing-computational-thinking-in-primary-schools-short-course – Co-author – Computing for non-specialist KS3 teachers; Outstanding teaching of GCSE computer science
European Schoolnet (Belgium) – Co-Author / Presenter – How to teach primary computing MOOC – https://www.mooc-list.com/course/how-teach-computing-introduction-concepts-tools-and-resources-primary-teachers-european
CPD and conference sessions
CPD and conference workshops and presentations are delivered on a weekly basis. Recent sessions of note include:
British Council (Serbia) – New Technologies in Education Show – Presenter – https://www.britishcouncil.rs/en/new-technologies/speakers
BETT – Regular presenter – https://uk.bettshow.com/speakers/neil-rickus-1 including numerous sessions over the past ten years – https://www.slideshare.net/NeilRickus/raspberry-pi-microbit-awesome
Computer Science Teachers’ Association (CSTA) (USA) – Regular presenter – https://csteachers.org/page/csta-2021
National Centre for Computing Education – Senior Facilitator for online and remote courses for primary and secondary teachers