At the chalk-face

Craig'n'Dave
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  • EDUCATION

At the Chalk Face is a no-nonsense podcast from Craig’n’Dave, tackling real issues in education. Expect honest chat about pedagogy, classroom practice, and what actually works — from two ex-teachers still embedded in the world of schools. Not just for computer science teachers — this one’s for every educator.

  1. 3D AGO

    At the chalk face: Making learning fun

    Does learning really have to be fun to be effective? 🤔 In this episode of Craig’n’Dave 'At the chalk face', we tackle one of the biggest debates in education — making learning fun — and whether it actually leads to better outcomes for students. From unplugged activities and memorable classroom moments to the dangers of prioritising entertainment over real understanding, we explore what truly matters in the classroom: the learning itself. 💡 In this episode, we cover: Why students always ask, “Are we doing something fun today?” The hidden risks of “fun for fun’s sake” How unplugged activities can transform complex topics The importance of keeping learning at the heart of every lesson A practical, balanced approach to teaching that actually works We also share real classroom experiences, including activities that bring tricky Computer Science concepts to life — without relying on a screen. 🎯 Whether you're a new teacher, experienced educator, or just passionate about learning, this episode will challenge your thinking and give you practical ideas to take straight into the classroom. 👉 Explore our full range of teaching resources here: https://craigndave.org 👍 If you found this helpful, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell so you never miss an episode! 👍 If you find the video useful, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and ring the bell so you never miss a new episode of At The Chalk Face. #ComputerScience #TeachingTips #Education #GCSE #ALevel #Teachers #EdTech #CraigAndDave

    30 min

  2. MAR 13

    At the chalk face: Tackling GCSE Discuss Questions

    At the chalk face: Tackling GCSE Discuss Questions Exam season is just around the corner… and while students might be feeling the pressure, we know teachers are too! 😅 In this episode of At The Chalk Face, Craig and Dave tackle one of the biggest challenges in GCSE Computer Science exams: extended response questions. You know the ones — the 6-mark and 8-mark questions where students suddenly forget everything they know! The good news? It’s usually not a knowledge problem… It’s an exam technique problem. And in this video, the guys share their simple framework that helps students turn those intimidating “discuss” questions into a clear, structured answer that can reach the top mark band. You’ll learn how to: Break down long exam questions quickly and effectively Identify the key command words (like discuss) Use a simple fact → reason → example structure to build strong answers Help students apply their knowledge to the scenario in the question Turn a daunting 8-mark question into a manageable step-by-step response We also walk through a real OCR GCSE (J277) exam question about open-source vs proprietary software and demonstrate exactly how students can structure a high-mark response. If your students struggle with longer questions, this episode is packed with practical strategies you can start using in lessons straight away. 🎓 Bonus for Craig’n’Dave users: If you’re a member of our Mission Control community, you can download the frameworks and model answers referenced in the video to help your students practise and improve their exam technique. Join Mission Control here -  https://www.facebook.com/groups/craigndavemissioncontrol  Watch now and help your students turn those tricky extended questions into easy marks. 📺 More help for GCSE Computer Science revision: Check out the exam technique videos on our channel for tips on command words, high-mark questions and more -   https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCiOXwirraUBkaFcyChfn0DGPPD6n7nvq 👍 If you find the video useful, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and ring the bell so you never miss a new episode of At The Chalk Face.

    32 min

  3. MAR 6

    At the chalk Face: Inception of the Festival of Computing

    At the chalk Face: Inception of the Festival of Computing The Festival of Computing 2026! Join us Wednesday, 1st July 2026, at Bromsgrove School for the Festival of Computing 2026 – a fantastic CPD event in the UK dedicated to secondary computing teachers. In this special episode of At the Chalkface, Craig and Dave take a trip down memory lane to share the story behind the Festival of Computing. From early visits to major edtech events like BETT, to recognising a gap for practical, teacher-focused CPD, they reveal how the idea for the festival was born. 💡 Why traditional edtech events weren’t always delivering what teachers really needed 👩‍🏫 The importance of practical, classroom-ready professional development 🤝 The power of bringing computing teachers together in one place 🚀 How the Festival of Computing has grown into the must-attend event for the computing education community The festival is all about real teaching, real classrooms, and real conversations with fellow computing teachers. Expect inspiring talks, hands-on CPD sessions, and plenty of opportunities to connect with others who understand life at the chalkface. 🗓 Wednesday 1 July 2026 📍 Bromsgrove School 🎟 Find out more and get your tickets: https://craigndave.org/conference/  If you’re a secondary computing teacher, this is the one CPD event you won’t want to miss. 👍 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more episodes of At the Chalkface, where we talk all things computing education. #FestivalOfComputing #ComputingTeacher #ComputerScienceTeacher #CPDForTeachers #ComputingEducation #CraigAndDave #AtTheChalkface #craigndave

    38 min

  4. FEB 27

    At the chalk face: Craig'n'Dave Festival of Computing Sponsor Highlight - VEX Robotics

    At the chalk face: Craig'n'Dave Festival of Computing Sponsor Highlight - VEX Robotics  🚀 Robots, rivalry (the friendly kind!) and reinvigorating computing education 🤖 In this episode of At the Chalkface, we’re joined by Chris from VEX Robotics, one of the main sponsors of the Craig'n'Dave Festival of Computing – and trust us, this is a good one. If you’ve ever thought “robotics sounds amazing, but also… terrifying”, this episode is for you. We dive into what VEX actually offers schools (spoiler: it’s way more accessible than you might think), how competitive robotics is really about collaboration, creativity and confidence, and why you don’t need to be an engineering wizard to get started. 🎯 What we cover in this episode: What VEX Robotics is really all about (from classroom kits to global competitions) Why “competition” doesn’t mean cut-throat (and actually builds brilliant soft skills) How robotics can boost engagement at KS3, GCSE and A level Why VEX works for all students – not just the stereotypical ones What VEX will be bringing to the Festival of Computing this year  A sneak peek at exciting new developments like AI-powered robots and programmable drones Whether you’re a computing teacher looking to reignite the spark, a school leader exploring enrichment options, or just robotics-curious, this episode is packed with inspiration, practical insight and plenty of enthusiasm. 👉 Find out more about the festival and grab your ticket: 🌐 https://craigndave.org/product/festival-of-computing-ticket/  👉 Explore VEX Robotics: 🌐 https://www.vex.com  Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share with a colleague who keeps saying “we should do more hands-on stuff” 😉

    24 min

  5. FEB 20

    At the chalk face: Handwriting & embodied cognition

    Is Handwriting Still Important in Computing Lessons? 🖊️💻 In a world full of keyboards, screens, and now AI, do students still need to pick up a pen?  In this episode of At the Chalk Face, Craig and Dave dive into the surprisingly important role of handwriting in learning – even in computer science! From GCSE to A-Level, they discuss: Why handwriting helps reinforce learning through the “eyes–brain–hand” loop ✍️ How AI and typing might be making students less engaged with the thinking process 🤔 Practical ways teachers can bring handwriting back into lessons without losing the benefits of technology 💡 Whether you’re a teacher curious about effective study strategies or just wondering if your own handwriting skills are worth keeping, this is an eye-opening chat you won’t want to miss. 💬 Join the conversation:  Do you think handwriting still has a place in 2026? #TeamCompSci #CraignDave #Education #TeachingTips #Handwriting #LearningByHand #ComputerScience #GCSE #ALevel #TeachingInnovation 👍 Like, subscribe, and hit the bell if you enjoy honest conversations about teaching, technology and life in schools.  🔗 More from us: Website & resources – Craigndave.org Smart Revise – smartrevise.online Craig'n'Dave Teaching Resources - https://craigndave.org/resource-centre/  #Teaching #Education #Pedagogy #CraigAndDave #AtTheChalkface #TeacherLife #news #educationnews #mobilesinschool

    22 min

  6. FEB 16

    At the chalk face: Is Ofsted copying and pasting inspection reports?

    At the chalk face: Copy and paste Ofsted reports?  Is Ofsted copying and pasting inspection reports? In this episode of At the Chalkface, Craig and Dave dive headfirst into one of teachers’ favourite (and most stressful) topics: Ofsted. We discuss the eyebrow-raising claim that large chunks of Ofsted reports are reused word-for-word across multiple schools. Shocking? Outrageous? Or… actually understandable? 🤔 Using real examples, stats, and plenty of lived classroom experience, we explore:  Why do identical paragraphs appear in inspection reports The tension between standardisation vs meaningful feedback Those wonderfully woolly Ofsted paragraphs that say everything and nothing at the same time Why this frustrates teachers and leaders who genuinely want to improve And the uncomfortable truth: teachers have been doing something very similar with report writing for years 👀 Craig and Dave also reflect on: High-stakes inspections and the pressure they place on schools The old grading system, the new report cards, and what’s been lost along the way Lesson observations, feedback that goes nowhere, and why “good” isn’t good enough if no one can tell you how to be better How technology (and now AI) has long been quietly shaping how reports are written in schools This is a balanced, honest discussion that asks a bigger question: 👉 Should inspection reports be about ticking boxes… or genuinely helping schools improve? 👍 Like, 💬 comment, and 🔔 subscribe if you’ve ever read an Ofsted report and thought, “I’ve seen this before…” 📌 Join us next week for another episode of At the Chalkface If you’re a teacher, leader, or education watcher, you’ll find plenty to nod along with — and maybe a few points to debate. 🔗 More from us: Website & resources – Craigndave.org Smart Revise – smartrevise.online  #Teaching #Education #Pedagogy #CraigAndDave #AtTheChalkface #TeacherLife #news #ofsted  #educationnews  #Ofsted #ukteachers  #EdTech #TeachingLife #CraigNDave #EducationPolicy

    26 min

  7. FEB 6

    At the chalk face: Schools should be phone free?

    At the chalk face: Schools should be phone-free? Well, it’s official – mobile phones in schools are under the microscope!  In this episode, Craig and Dave dive deep into the latest government guidance, Ofsted expectations, and the storm of public opinion around students, teachers, and mobile phones. From confiscation rules to lockable Faraday pouches, we explore: Why teachers might soon have less discretion over phone use in lessonsHow Ofsted is leaning on schools to follow “non-statutory” guidanceThe impact on teachers, senior leaders, and even students’ rights under the Equality ActClever ways phones could be used in learning – from experiments to formative assessmentThe hilarious and sometimes frustrating reality of implementing these rules in real schools It’s a lively, pragmatic chat about tech, teaching, and how policy changes can shake up everyday classroom life. Whether you’re a teacher, parent, or just curious about the future of schools, this one’s for you! 🔔 Watch now and join the conversation – are phones a distraction, a tool, or both? If you’re a teacher, leader, or education watcher, you’ll find plenty to nod along with — and maybe a few points to debate. 🔗 More from us: Website & resources – Craigndave.org Smart Revise – smartrevise.online  #Teaching #Education #Pedagogy #CraigAndDave #AtTheChalkface #TeacherLife #news #educationnews #mobilesinschool #EducationDebate #Ofsted #Safeguarding #MobilePhonesInSchools #UKTeachers #EdTech #TeachingLife #CraigNDave #EducationPolicy

    32 min

  8. JAN 23

    At the chalk face: Dodona Learning Technologies - A Coding Platform That Actually Works for Teachers

    Are you fed up with coding platforms that appear… then disappear just as you’ve got your scheme of work sorted?   This week At the Chalk Face, we’re joined by two brilliant guests who might just restore your faith in programming platforms. We sit down with Matthias De Witte (Co-founder & CEO) and Peter Dawyndt (Co-founder & CTO) from Dodona Learning Technologies to talk about a seriously impressive coding platform that’s been quietly supporting tens of thousands of students for nearly a decade. Dodona wasn’t built by a venture capital team chasing profit – it was built by educators, for educators.  Designed originally to support university teaching, it’s now used by schools and universities across Belgium and beyond, offering: Automated, meaningful feedback (not just pass/fail) Powerful visual debugging – including the ability to step backwards through code  A fully web-based platform (no installs, no tech headaches) Tools that genuinely support independence without removing the teacher from the loop A thoughtful, research-led approach to AI (no “AI writes the code for you” nonsense here) We also talk candidly about: Why teachers are frustrated with platforms coming and going The real challenges of teaching programming at scale Feedback, debugging, plagiarism, and learning analytics How Dodona keeps pedagogy front and centre Why Time to Code now lives inside Dodona  If you’re a computer science teacher looking for a robust, proven, education-first coding platform – this is a conversation you don’t want to miss. 👉 Find out more about Dodona here: https://dodona.be/ 👉 And yes… they’ll be at the Craig’n’Dave Festival of Computing this July! Let us know your thoughts in the comments – and whether Dodona could work in your classroom. #TeamCompSci #CraignDave #ComputerScienceTeachers #CodingEducation #ProgrammingInSchools #EdTech #TimeToCode

    42 min
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About

At the Chalk Face is a no-nonsense podcast from Craig’n’Dave, tackling real issues in education. Expect honest chat about pedagogy, classroom practice, and what actually works — from two ex-teachers still embedded in the world of schools. Not just for computer science teachers — this one’s for every educator.

Information

  • Creator
    Craig'n'Dave
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    25
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Craig'n'Dave Podcasts
  • Show Website
    At the chalk-face

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