At the chalk-face

Craig'n'Dave

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: Every teacher has a superpower. What’s yours?

    Every teacher has a superpower. What’s yours? What makes a truly great teacher?  Is it the perfect lesson plan? The latest teaching strategy? Or simply ticking all the right boxes? In this episode of At the Chalkface, Craig and Dave explore the secret ingredient that seems to make some teachers effortlessly brilliant: connection. From earning students’ respect and building meaningful relationships, to being fair, consistent and genuinely knowing the young people in your classroom, they discuss what separates simply teaching from making a real impact. They also reflect on the teachers who inspired them, the importance of discovering your own teaching superpower, and why some of the best classroom skills can be incredibly difficult to teach or coach. And, of course, Craig and Dave turn the conversation back on themselves… 🦸‍♂️ What is Craig’s teaching superpower? 🦸‍♂️ What is Dave’s? 💡 And why does challenging the way things have always been done sit at the heart of Craig’n’Dave? From teaching programming and using Raspberry Pis to the development of Smart Revise, TIME 2 CODE and the latest Key Stage 3 resources, this episode explores how asking “Why?” can lead to better teaching, better resources and better outcomes. Most importantly, there’s one question we want you to answer: What’s your teaching superpower? Let us know in the comments! 👇 And if you enjoyed this episode, make sure you subscribe for more At the Chalkface conversations from Craig’n’Dave. 👉 Explore more Computer Science teaching resources from Craig’n’Dave and discover how we can help raise attainment and reduce workload.

  2. Aug 7

    Craig'n'Dave Key Stage 3 Scheme: Idea to impact.

    Craig'n'Dave Key Stage 3 Scheme: Idea to impact.  Our brand-new KS3 Computing resources are finally here! After years of planning, classroom testing and refining, we've officially launched our brand-new Craig 'n' Dave Key Stage 3 Computing Scheme of Learning. In this video, we take you behind the scenes to explain why we've created these resources, what makes them different, and how they're designed to support teachers preparing for the 2028 Computing curriculum changes. We'll cover: ✅ Why we decided now was the right time to create KS3 resources. ✅ How we've planned ahead for the new curriculum. ✅ Our careers-led approach to inspire students. ✅ How we've reduced teacher workload with purposeful assessment. ✅ The pedagogy behind every lesson. ✅ What makes our scheme different from traditional KS3 resources. ✅ Our roadmap for future units and ongoing updates. Whether you're already using Craig 'n' Dave resources or you're looking for a future-ready KS3 Computing curriculum, this video explains everything you need to know. Find out more and explore the new KS3 resources: https://go.craigndave.org/9IExkn 📧 Questions? We'd love to hear from you: admin@craigndave.co.uk If you enjoy the video, don't forget to like, subscribe, and let us know your thoughts in the comments. Your feedback helps shape future resources and videos. #Computing #ComputerScience #KS3 #TeachingComputing #SecondaryEducation #ComputingTeacher #CraigAndDave #Education #EdTech #ComputingCurriculum #TeacherResources #AIinEducation #CurriculumReview #ComputerScienceTeacher

  3. Jul 24

    At the chalk face: Resource recon - Little Man Computer (LMC) and Little RISC Computer

    At the chalk face: Resource recon - LMC and LRC Discover two completely FREE interactive Computer Science apps designed to make teaching processor architecture and low-level programming easier than ever.  In this episode of At the Chalk Face, Craig and Dave take a closer look at their Little Man Computer (LMC) and Little RISC Computer simulators, showing how they can help bring abstract concepts to life for both GCSE and A Level students. You'll see how the apps demonstrate the fetch-decode-execute cycle, registers, buses, memory and assembly language through clear, interactive simulations. Plus, find out how the tools have been carefully designed to match OCR and AQA specifications, making them ideal for classroom teaching. The discussion also explores an important question for Computer Science teachers: how do we balance the simplified models used in education with how processors actually work in the real world?  Craig and Dave unpack the challenges of abstraction, exam specifications and teaching complex concepts in a way that's meaningful and accessible for students. Whether you're new to teaching Computer Science or an experienced teacher looking for practical classroom resources, this episode is packed with useful ideas and insights. 🔗 Try the FREE interactive apps: https://app.craigndave.org 💬 We'd love to hear from you! Which interactive app would you like us to build next? Let us know in the comments. 👍 If you enjoyed this video, don't forget to like, subscribe and hit the notification bell so you never miss an episode of At the Chalk Face. #ComputerScience #GCSEComputerScience #ALevelComputerScience #CraigAndDave #TeachingComputing #LittleManComputer #AssemblyLanguage #ProcessorArchitecture #OCRComputerScience #AQAComputerScience #TeamCompSci #CraignDave #LMC #LRC

  4. Jul 17

    At the chalk face: Craig'n'Dave Festival of Computing 2026 Review and Q&A

    At the chalk face: Craig'n'Dave Festival of Computing 2026 Review and Q&A 🎉 The Festival of Computing 2026 may be over, but we're not quite finished yet! After an incredible day at the Craig 'n' Dave Festival of Computing 2026, we're sitting down to answer some of the brilliant questions asked by teachers, exhibitors, sponsors and attendees throughout the event. In this special Q&A episode of **At the Chalk Face**, we discuss: * 🤖 Is AI in education here to stay, or is it just another fad? * 📚 What future developments in computing education are we most excited about? * 🎓 How can new Computing teachers build their confidence and subject knowledge? * 📝 The future of A Level coursework (NEA) and curriculum reform. * 💻 Our upcoming Key Stage 3 Computing resources and how they'll work. * ☕ Plus... our favourite sandwiches, best-selling merch and whether Craig and Dave are actually married! 😄 We also take a moment to reflect on what made this year's Festival so special, thank everyone who helped make it happen, and share some of our plans for making 2027 even bigger and better. Whether you joined us at the Festival or couldn't make it this year, we hope you'll enjoy this behind-the-scenes conversation packed with honest opinions, practical advice and plenty of laughs. We'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments.  Which question would you have asked us? Find out more about Craig 'n' Dave and our resources: 🌐 https://craigndave.org #Computing #ComputerScience #Teachers #AIinEducation #FestivalOfComputing #Education #CraigAndDave #AtTheChalkFace

  5. Jul 10

    At the chalk face: Are schools ready for the social media ban?

    Will a social media ban really make schools safer? Or is it just the beginning of a whole new set of challenges? With social media restrictions for young people moving closer to reality, schools could soon face some difficult questions. If mobile phones are already banned in many schools, will anything really change? Or will safeguarding, teaching and student wellbeing become even more complicated? In this episode of At the Chalkface, Craig and Dave explore the practical implications a social media ban could have on schools, teachers and students. 💬 We discuss: Will safeguarding responsibilities increase? Could students become less likely to report online abuse? How should schools prepare pupils for social media if they're not allowed to use it? What happens when students suddenly gain access at 16? Could educational content on platforms like YouTube be caught up in the ban? What support will schools need from government? As experienced Computer Science teachers, we look beyond the headlines to explore the real-world impact on classrooms and school leaders. What do you think? Will a social media ban make schools safer, or could it create even bigger challenges? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below. 👉 Explore hundreds of Computer Science teaching resources at https://craigndave.org 👍 If you enjoyed this discussion, please like, subscribe and turn on notifications so you never miss a future episode. #ComputerScience #Education #Teaching #Schools #Safeguarding #DigitalCitizenship #OnlineSafety #SocialMedia #EdTech #TeacherCPD #CraignDave #TeamCompSci

  6. Jul 3

    At the chalk face: Why do pupils stop enjoying computing?

    At the chalk face: Why do pupils stop enjoying computing? Are students losing interest in computer science teaching?  We examine the root causes of disengagement in the computing classroom. Craig and Dave, former computer science teachers, explore the reality of student engagement in computing. Many educators assume students simply stop enjoying the subject, but we question whether the issue stems from a lack of initial engagement when they first start learning. We break down the common pitfalls in computing education that might be causing students to switch off. By analysing the teaching computer science approach, we offer a perspective on how to keep the subject relevant and exciting from day one.  Whether you are a new teacher or a veteran, understanding these dynamics is crucial for a healthy cs classroom strategy. We highlight how to refine your computing curriculum to maintain curiosity and look at specific strategies to ensure students remain invested in their learning path rather than burning out early. If you teach computer science, work in education, or just care about the future of tech skills, this one is a must-watch. Don't forget to like, subscribe, and turn on notifications for more conversations from At the Chalk Face. 🔗 More from us: Website & resources – Craigndave.org Smart Revise – smartrevise.online #AtTheChalkface #ArtificialIntelligence  #DigitalLiteracy #EdTech #Teaching #ComputingEducation #ComputerScience  #AIinEducation #Programming #CraigAndDave #EdTech #VibeCoding #TeachingComputing #coding #codingforbeginners #computercoding

  7. Jun 19

    At the chalk face: Will AI replace coding in schools? Why coding is here to stay..

    Will AI replace coding in schools? Or is programming more important than ever? In this episode of At the Chalkface, Craig and Dave dive headfirst into one of the biggest debates in computer science education right now: with AI and “vibe coding” exploding in popularity, do we still need to teach students how to code? From the latest curriculum and assessment review to the growing influence of generative AI tools, it’s easy to see why some are questioning the future of programming in the classroom. If AI can generate working code in seconds, why are students still wrestling with loops, conditions and syntax errors? Craig and Dave unpack why that thinking misses the point entirely. This conversation goes far beyond writing code. It’s about what students actually learn through programming: resilience, problem solving, creativity, and the ability to debug messy, unpredictable outcomes. Whether it’s tackling a stubborn bug or building a solution from scratch, coding remains one of the most powerful ways to develop computational thinking skills that AI simply can’t replace. They also explore the risks of over-relying on AI in education and industry, including the loss of junior developer pathways and the deeper issue of accountability when AI-generated systems fail. Plus, Dave introduces a bold idea for the future of assessment: Code AI – a new framework for rethinking NEA that embraces AI rather than fighting it. If you teach computer science, work in education, or just care about the future of tech skills, this one is a must-watch. Don't forget to like, subscribe, and turn on notifications for more conversations from At the Chalk Face. 🔗 More from us: Website & resources – Craigndave.org Smart Revise – smartrevise.online #AtTheChalkface #ArtificialIntelligence  #DigitalLiteracy #EdTech #Teaching #ComputingEducation #ComputerScience  #AIinEducation #Programming #CraigAndDave #EdTech #VibeCoding #TeachingComputing  #coding #codingforbeginners #computercoding

  8. Jun 12

    At the chalk face: The UK social media ban debate

    At the chalk face: The UK social media ban debate AI, social media, and online safety – where do we draw the line? In this episode of At the chalk face, Craig and Dave tackle one of the biggest challenges facing education, technology, and government today: protecting young people online in a world where social media, AI, and digital tools are increasingly intertwined. With ministers exploring tougher measures around social media access for children, the conversation asks a surprisingly difficult question: what actually counts as social media anymore? From TikTok and Snapchat to AI chatbots, collaborative documents, YouTube, and educational platforms, the lines are becoming increasingly blurred. Join Craig and Dave as they discuss: ✅ The government's plans to improve online safety ✅ Whether social media bans can really work ✅ Lessons from Australia's approach ✅ The growing role of AI in education and online interaction ✅ The challenge of balancing child protection with digital literacy ✅ How potential legislation could affect schools, teachers, and learning platforms ✅ Whether educational tools could be caught up in future restrictions As former Computer Science teachers, Craig and Dave explore the real-world implications for classrooms, students, parents, and educators, while asking what practical solutions might actually make a difference. 💬 We'd love to hear your thoughts: What should count as social media in 2026? Should AI chatbots be included in age restrictions? How can we better protect young people online without limiting educational opportunities? Leave a comment and join the discussion. 🔗 Discover more teaching resources and support for Computer Science teachers at Craig'n'Dave  Don't forget to like, subscribe, and turn on notifications for more conversations from At the Chalk Face. 🔗 More from us: Website & resources – Craigndave.org Smart Revise – smartrevise.online #AtTheChalkface #OnlineSafety #SocialMedia #ArtificialIntelligence #aiineducation  #DigitalLiteracy #EdTech #Teaching #ComputingEducation #ComputerScience #OnlineSafetyForChildren #EducationTechnology #CraigAndDave #Teachers #Schools #DigitalID  #Education #EducationPodcast  #ComputingTeacher #ComputerScienceTeacher #TeamCompSci #craigndave  #TeacherSupport #EducationCommunity  #UKTeachers #socialmediaban

See All (42)

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
    42
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Craig'n'Dave Podcasts
  • Show Website
    At the chalk-face