Interactive Amplify (IA) sits at the Interactive row and Amplify column of the PICRAT grid. Below: real Computing lessons for KS3 that classify as IA, plus anti-examples that look IA but are not.

Algorithm interpretation on a class Padlet

Year 8 · 40 min · 1 device per student

The teacher posts three pseudocode snippets on a class Padlet (a sorting algorithm, a search algorithm, a counting loop). Each student picks one and posts a one-paragraph plain-English description of what it does and what kind of input it works on. The class scrolls and the teacher highlights any snippet where students disagreed about behaviour, drawing out the difference.

Tools: Padlet

Annotated debugging screencast

Year 9 · 45 min · 1 device per student

The teacher shares a screencast of a programmer debugging a real bug (about 10 minutes). Each student annotates a shared Doc with timestamped notes on what the programmer did at each step and what they could have done differently. The class compares notes and pulls out the three most useful strategies.

Tools: Google Docs

Live algorithm efficiency vote with debate

Year 9 · 40 min · 1 device per student

The teacher presents three different algorithms that solve the same problem (e.g. find the largest number in a list). Each student votes on Mentimeter for the most efficient. The class sees the live spread, then in pairs writes a 30-second defence. The teacher calls pairs from each side to argue. The class re-votes at the end.

Tools: Mentimeter

Lessons that look IA but are not

Useful counter-examples when you are checking your own lesson placement on the PICRAT grid.

This page is one of a growing set of PICRAT examples by cell, subject and key stage. Page maintained by Andy Perryer.