What works about Block-Based Programming?
Date: August 24th 2026
An exploration into why visual programming reduces cognitive load and how to utilise it effectively across KS2 to KS4.
Why Canva is the best tool for Teacher Slide Decks
Date: August 14th 2026
A comparison of different presentation tools for educational use.
A Journey in Data Modelling: My Teach First Ambassador Project
Date: 7th August 2026
A description of my journey in data modelling as part of my Teach First Ambassador Project.
What I've learnt from a year of using Canva for Education
Date: May 3rd 2026
Reflecting on how Canva evolved from a design tool to the core of my lesson delivery, workflow, and classroom engagement.
My thoughts on Canva Create 2026.
Date: April 23rd 2026
I watched Canva's keynote presentation and here are my initial thoughts.
I reframed photos using Gemini
Date: January 3rd 2026
An experiment on using Gemini's image generation to reframe old photos of my shows.
Happy New Year 2026!
Date: January 1st 2026
A reflection on the year 2025 and my hopes for 2026.
A reflection on completing Year 1 of Teach First
Date: September 28th 2025
A reflection on the first year of Teach First and my hopes for Year 2.
Turning Lessons into Games: My Journey with Canva Code
Date: Monday 21st July 2025
I used AI to build customisable playable games for pupils to try in the classroom.
I built more vital tools using AI.
Date: May 28th 2025
I used AI again to build more vital teaching tools to use in the classroom.
I used AI to build vital tools for teaching.
Date: April 27th 2025
I used AI to build vital teaching tools to use in the classroom.
My thoughts on Canva Create 2025.
Date: April 24th 2025
I watched Canva's keynote presentation and spent the past two weeks trying the features.
I created this ‘Action Figure’ trend.
Date: April 11th 2025
I tried out the action figure trend using OpenAI's new image generation.
I used AILA to create a lesson.
Date: March 24th 2025
I used Oak National Academy's AILA lesson generator to create a revision lesson.
Unplugged Activities and Logic Gates
Date: March 14th 2025
I tried something different by using an unplugged activity...
A reflection on the first 6 months as a Teach First Trainee
Date: March 10th 2025
A reflection on the first six months of Teach First.
Hello, World!
Date: January 1st 2025
Welcome to Tommy's Thoughts. A blog exploring programming, AI, teaching, and more.