Our aim through the computing curriculum is to ensure that all students are digitally literate, able to create digital content confidently, know how to share this with others, and also know how to keep themselves safe whilst doing so. These are important skills in today’s society whether or not a student chooses to make further study of computing one of their academic options as they progress through the school.
Computational Thinking
Students will learn key components of computational thinking including decomposition, abstracting and problem-solving. Students will learn how to write algorithms using pseudocode and flowcharts incorporating programming techniques such as iteration, selection, variables and inputs.
Encourage students to develop problem solving skills. Completing tasks such as Sudoku, Rebus Puzzles and other brainteaser activities can really help to develop relevant skills. There are also lots of free programming websites where they can apply and practice these skills such as Scratch, Kodu, Micro:bit and code.org.
Small Basic
Students will learn how to apply previously taught work on variables, selection and data types to Small Basic, which is a text-based language. They will learn how to use and program count-controlled and condition -controlled iteration statements. They will learn how to use and respond to user input. They will learn to work with strings including concatenation and casting.
Students can use the Small Basic website to practice skills learnt in class, this website is free to access via a web browser or as a downloadable software package. Students can research and learn the syntax of Small Basic as this will help them in lesson. Students can re-cap the work they have already done in prior units on Computational Thinking as all those skills will be used in this topic. Websites such as BBC Bitesize and Teach-ICT can help with this.
Representation of Data
Students will look at the binary number system. They will learn how to convert from binary to denary and how to add binary numbers. Students will also look at the hexadecimal number system and how to write binary numbers as hexadecimal and the reasons why this number system is used. Students will look at how text, images and sound are represented using the binary system. Students will learn how to use and draw simple logic gates such as AND,OR and NOT.
Students can practice their use of binary by using online games such as ‘Penjee Binary‘. This helps them practice denary to binary conversion. Students can use websites such as BBC Bitesize and Teach-ICT to review other parts of the topic.
Python
Students will be learning programming techniques in a high-level lagnuage Python. They will learn how to use inputs, outputs, variables, selection and iteration. They will learn why and how to use these techniques.
Python is a free downloadable software, and there are also many other hosted websites such as Trinket.io and Replit.com that students can use to practice programming skills. Websites such as W3schools have a very clear breakdown of topics should students be struggling with an aspect. There are also websites such as PythonSponge and Sololearn, which provide a range of activities to practice the use of Python and also mark them for students.
Networking
Students will learn the advantages and disadvantages of different types of networks, they will also look at what can affect network performance. Students will look at the advantages and disadvantages of some of the common topologies. Students will look at hardware required to set up basic networks. Students will look at the internet and how it works and will look at how the internet is used within society by looking at cloud storage and cloud computing.
Students can look at the hardware in their home used for networking and think about the advantages netowrking brings to their household. Students can think about how people access networks when on the move or outside of their main residence to make real-life links to in-class learning. Websites such as BBC Bitesize and Teach-ICT can also help them to re-cap topics covered.