CURRICULUM
Computing
Computing Curriculum Intent
Computing enables students to become digital citizens. They develop the knowledge and skills needed to successfully use emerging technologies to participate fully in modern society.Â
KEY STRANDS
Communication
Through out the curriculum students constantly consider what is the best way to communicate the data/information they are handling. They need to ensure they are always using the best method for the audience and purpose of the project being completed.
Students will process given data, model it to be able to inform decision making. Transform data into a useable format. Process the data into a report. This will enable students to apply their analytic and problem-solving skills.
Data Analysis
Data Representation
Students will understand simple Boolean logic [for example, AND, OR and NOT] and some of its uses in circuits and programming; understand how numbers can be represented in binary, and be able to carry out simple operations on binary numbers [for example, binary addition, and conversion between binary and decimal].
Students will create, reuse, revise and repurpose digital content for a given audience, with attention to trustworthiness, design and usability.
Design
Logical thinking
Students will understand several key algorithms that reflect computational thinking [for example, ones for sorting and searching]; use logical reasoning to compare the utility of alternative algorithms for the same problem.
Students will use 2 or more programming languages, at least one of which is textual, to solve a variety of computational problems; make appropriate use of data structures [for example, lists, tables or arrays]; design and develop modular programs that use procedures or functions.
Students will understand several key algorithms that reflect computational thinking [for example, ones for sorting and searching]; use logical reasoning to compare the utility of alternative algorithms for the same problem.
Students will use 2 or more programming languages, at least one of which is textual, to solve a variety of computational problems; make appropriate use of data structures [for example, lists, tables or arrays]; design and develop modular programs that use procedures or functions.
Security
Year 7
Maze Game
Content -
Students are creating a 'Pacman' style maze game for users who enjoy playing retro style games. They will consider the design of the maze ensuring the character can navigate around the maze collecting all the treasure. Students must use logical thinking to code 'Pacman', the treasure and the enemies. This will ensure they produce a functional game with varying levels of difficulty.
Skills -
Security: Setting up an external website account. Design: Creating all the components required for the game. Logical thinking: Writing a program to produce a functional game. Data Representation: Creating a scoring system to show progression through the game.
Students are creating a 'Pacman' style maze game for users who enjoy playing retro style games. They will consider the design of the maze ensuring the character can navigate around the maze collecting all the treasure. Students must use logical thinking to code 'Pacman', the treasure and the enemies. This will ensure they produce a functional game with varying levels of difficulty.
Skills -
Security: Setting up an external website account. Design: Creating all the components required for the game. Logical thinking: Writing a program to produce a functional game. Data Representation: Creating a scoring system to show progression through the game.
TOPIC 1
Horizons Den
Content
Students are creating a marketing campaign to promote a new piece of technology. The campaign will include both traditional and modern advertising methods including billboard banners, animations and social media.
Skills
Communication: Students will ensure the communication methods choice are fit for audience and purpose. Data analysis: The use of spreadsheets to show the profitability of their marketing campaign. Design: The production of numerous digital artefacts produced from a variety of software to ensure a sucessful advertising campaign. Security: Demonstrate an understanding of the implications involved in using Cloud Computing.
Students are creating a marketing campaign to promote a new piece of technology. The campaign will include both traditional and modern advertising methods including billboard banners, animations and social media.
Skills
Communication: Students will ensure the communication methods choice are fit for audience and purpose. Data analysis: The use of spreadsheets to show the profitability of their marketing campaign. Design: The production of numerous digital artefacts produced from a variety of software to ensure a sucessful advertising campaign. Security: Demonstrate an understanding of the implications involved in using Cloud Computing.
Topic 2
Year 8
BBC Micro:bit: Game Designer
Content -
Students will write textual code that will be run on BBC Micro:bits. They will produce a step counter for students to monitor their daily activity.
Skills -
Data representation: Understanding of how a computer communicates using binary and hexadecimal. Logical thinking: Textual coding using logical structures and algorithms.
Students will write textual code that will be run on BBC Micro:bits. They will produce a step counter for students to monitor their daily activity.
Skills -
Data representation: Understanding of how a computer communicates using binary and hexadecimal. Logical thinking: Textual coding using logical structures and algorithms.
TOPIC 1
Cyber Security Data Analyst
Content
Students are taking on the role of a 'Data analyst'. They will be given some 'big data' that they will have to organise, manipulate and present for a given purpose.
Skills
Data analysis: Use formulas and functions to process given data. To then draw conclusions and make recommendations for future action. Logical thinking: modelling given scenario's.
Students are taking on the role of a 'Data analyst'. They will be given some 'big data' that they will have to organise, manipulate and present for a given purpose.
Skills
Data analysis: Use formulas and functions to process given data. To then draw conclusions and make recommendations for future action. Logical thinking: modelling given scenario's.
Topic 2
Year 9
Python: Game Designer
Content -
Students will use professional programming software to design, run, test and correct computer games. They will be creating functional games where the user can interact with the programme, writing the code for the game, and recognise and correcting any errors along the way.
Skills -
Data Analysis: Reading current coding examples and analysing which elements of code are needed for the game to function as required. Data Representation: Writing lines of code using industry standard coding structures including iteration, sequencing and variables. Logical thinking: using algorithms to ensure the code is functional and runs in the correct order.
Students will use professional programming software to design, run, test and correct computer games. They will be creating functional games where the user can interact with the programme, writing the code for the game, and recognise and correcting any errors along the way.
Skills -
Data Analysis: Reading current coding examples and analysing which elements of code are needed for the game to function as required. Data Representation: Writing lines of code using industry standard coding structures including iteration, sequencing and variables. Logical thinking: using algorithms to ensure the code is functional and runs in the correct order.
TOPIC 1
Cyber crime protection officer
Content
Students will become the cyber crime induction officer. They will prepare an interactive cyber crime quiz that new emplyees at Twitter will complete to inform if they are an internat threat and require additional training.
Skills
Communication: Writing purposeful training materials covering all elements to security for new staff at Twitter. Design: Presentation methods for a corporate company. Ensuring Twitter branding and house style is consistently applied on the induction material. Logical thinking: Ordering the presentation in a logical manner to ensure it runs as designed. Security: Internal and external threats, the Impact of these and how to prevent them.
Students will become the cyber crime induction officer. They will prepare an interactive cyber crime quiz that new emplyees at Twitter will complete to inform if they are an internat threat and require additional training.
Skills
Communication: Writing purposeful training materials covering all elements to security for new staff at Twitter. Design: Presentation methods for a corporate company. Ensuring Twitter branding and house style is consistently applied on the induction material. Logical thinking: Ordering the presentation in a logical manner to ensure it runs as designed. Security: Internal and external threats, the Impact of these and how to prevent them.
Topic 2
Year 10
Research user Interfaces
Content -
Students will compare and evaluate different user interfaces. For example Voice command and a Gui. They will report on the different ways they are used, and accessibility needs as a starting point.
Skills -
Students will present their findings of a variety of differing types of User Interfaces to a professional audience in a style of their choice. The report will include Hardware/Software, inclusivity/accessibility needs, demographics and test results. Students will also consider how the user interfaces are accessed, for example via Ad hoc networks, tethering. They will also include how the user interfaces communicate, looking closely at social media websites.
Students will compare and evaluate different user interfaces. For example Voice command and a Gui. They will report on the different ways they are used, and accessibility needs as a starting point.
Skills -
Students will present their findings of a variety of differing types of User Interfaces to a professional audience in a style of their choice. The report will include Hardware/Software, inclusivity/accessibility needs, demographics and test results. Students will also consider how the user interfaces are accessed, for example via Ad hoc networks, tethering. They will also include how the user interfaces communicate, looking closely at social media websites.
TOPIC 1
Designing user interface
Content
Students will design and create a user interface system for customers at Neoteric Sports stadium. The system will inform customers of hospitality, services and generic information.
Skills
Communication: Students will produce a system that will provide customers with all the information they may need for their visit to the Neoteric stadium. Design: Students will use project methodologies, Gantt/Pert Charts, Mood boards/Storyboards. They will also set Smart targets, decide what Input/Outputs devices, Hardware/Software will be required and consider any Risks/Constraints of their system and design considering design principles.
Students will design and create a user interface system for customers at Neoteric Sports stadium. The system will inform customers of hospitality, services and generic information.
Skills
Communication: Students will produce a system that will provide customers with all the information they may need for their visit to the Neoteric stadium. Design: Students will use project methodologies, Gantt/Pert Charts, Mood boards/Storyboards. They will also set Smart targets, decide what Input/Outputs devices, Hardware/Software will be required and consider any Risks/Constraints of their system and design considering design principles.
Topic 2
Security
Content
Students will write a security policy for the Neoteric staff. Considering legislation.
Skills
Communication: Students will consider the audience of the policy ensuring they include the following legislation: Copyright Act Data Protection Act Computing Misuse Act With Internal/External Threats and User Restrictions/Weaknesses (physical security), Internal/external threats Policy protection/Data recovery Intellectual property Copyright Protection Methods Malware Social engineering Password Policy.
Students will write a security policy for the Neoteric staff. Considering legislation.
Skills
Communication: Students will consider the audience of the policy ensuring they include the following legislation: Copyright Act Data Protection Act Computing Misuse Act With Internal/External Threats and User Restrictions/Weaknesses (physical security), Internal/external threats Policy protection/Data recovery Intellectual property Copyright Protection Methods Malware Social engineering Password Policy.
Topic 3
Year 11
Sources of data and reliability
Content -
Students will look at different sources of data, where it has been collected and if it is reliable. They will consider the different ways that data can be presented before analysing and presenting information in the next project.
Skills -
Students look at the difference between data and Information, the presentation of data, Validation/Verification Data Collection/Big Data/Shared Data Data Security. Students will the present data and information in a variety of different formats for suitable audience and purpose. Including data/Information flow diagrams Forms of notation Shared data Environmental Issues.
Students will look at different sources of data, where it has been collected and if it is reliable. They will consider the different ways that data can be presented before analysing and presenting information in the next project.
Skills -
Students look at the difference between data and Information, the presentation of data, Validation/Verification Data Collection/Big Data/Shared Data Data Security. Students will the present data and information in a variety of different formats for suitable audience and purpose. Including data/Information flow diagrams Forms of notation Shared data Environmental Issues.
TOPIC 1
Data analysis
Content
Students will analyse data using advanced formulas and functions. This will enable them to then present the analysis to a given audience for a given purpose.
Skills
This project involves a wide variety of Spreadsheet skills: Importing data Formatting Basic formula/functions If, Count IF V Lookup Logical Operators Macro's Softing/filtering Data Validation Conditional Formatting Charts/Graphs Combo Box Once the data has been analysed students will produce a report informing the audience of Trends, Patterns, Anomalies and any Errors.
Students will analyse data using advanced formulas and functions. This will enable them to then present the analysis to a given audience for a given purpose.
Skills
This project involves a wide variety of Spreadsheet skills: Importing data Formatting Basic formula/functions If, Count IF V Lookup Logical Operators Macro's Softing/filtering Data Validation Conditional Formatting Charts/Graphs Combo Box Once the data has been analysed students will produce a report informing the audience of Trends, Patterns, Anomalies and any Errors.
Topic 2
