Computer Science — Year 8

 

Computer Science Overview
Curriculum

Term 1: My Digital World

In the first lesson, students will learn how to use the network and systems at Turing House, the importance of choosing secure passwords and organisation. Students will develop understanding about cyber security by taking on the role of a cyber security agent working through a range of challenges to ensure the online protection of an organisation.

Student will be introduce to how computers work and how to use them safely. E- Safety, Operating Systems and Utilities.

Students will complete a series of online quizzes and complete evidence based tasks

Password
A string of characters that allows access to a computer, interface, or system

Computer Network
A set of computers connected together for the purpose of sharing resources and hardware. Most computer networks have at least one server. A server is a powerful computer that provides one or more services to a network and its users.

  • Spiritual
  • Moral
  • Social
  • Cultural

Develop the individual:
Students look at how technology can bring benefits to discussions and tolerance to an individual’s beliefs. Students are exposed to the limitations and abuse of the internet ,they question and justify the aims, values and principles of right & wrong

Create a supportive community:
Recognising the difference between right and wrong; respecting the law; understanding consequences of your behaviour and actions; investigating moral and ethical issues; offering reasoned views.

Term 2: AppShed

The aim of this unit is to teach the pupils how to build their own apps using a web-based app builder. It will give them all the tools and resources to build a working web app which can be used on any HTML5 compatible device. In the unit they will evaluate existing apps, mock up their own designs and build, test and evaluate their own apps. By the end of this unit they will have an understanding of a good user interface, know the difference between web apps and native apps, and be able to find and create resources such as icons and backgrounds.

completion of a practical task and an online assessment

  • Spiritual
  • Moral
  • Social
  • Cultural

Develop the individual:

Create a supportive community:

Term 3: Introduction to Programming - Makecode Arcade

Students are introduced to programming using an online platform called Makecode. Initially, students build up basic programming skills and understanding using block programming to solve a range of problems which include the use of the key constructs sequence, selection and iteration. Students move on through the levels to develop deeper understanding and skills in text based languages Python and JavaScript by solving further challenges that require logic and resilience.

Microsoft MakeCode Arcade is a free, open source retro 2D game development environment. Students anywhere from 9 to 18 can use MakeCode Arcade to design and create their own games online that they can then share with friends and family or download to hand-held game devices

completion of a practical task and an online assessment

  • Spiritual
  • Moral
  • Social
  • Cultural

Develop the individual:

Create a supportive community:

Term 4: 2D Animation

Undertake creative projects that involve selecting, using, and combining multiple applications. Students learn about editing, drawing and animating images using graphics software and find out why we have different image formats. They will create, re-use, revise and re-purpose digital artefacts for a given audience, with attention to trustworthiness, design and usability.

Practical end of unit task and a online assessment

  • Spiritual
  • Moral
  • Social
  • Cultural

Develop the individual:
Exploring beliefs and experiences; respecting faiths, feelings and values; enjoying learning about yourself, others and the surrounding world; using your imagination and creativity. The wonder of technology

Create a supportive community:
Care and use of equipment: Making clear the guidelines about the ethical use of the internet and how we keep ourselves and others safe

Term 5: Programming – Small Basic

This unit is an introduction to programming in a textual language designed to make programming easy and approachable for beginners. It starts by introducing Turtle graphics, leading into the use of variables and For…EndFor loops. Simple programs using the Text window are used to introduce input, output and selection. Pupils will get used to these programming statements while having fun writing a quiz program, producing coloured graphics and making a simple screensaver.

Practical task

a written assessment

  • Spiritual
  • Moral
  • Social
  • Cultural

Develop the individual:
Computing Empowers students to apply their ICT and computing skills and to gain knowledge of how programming links between subjects for instance maths.

Create a supportive community:

Term 6: Programming- Introduction to Python

This is an introduction to Python, a powerful but easy-to-use high-level programming language. Although Python is an object-oriented language, at this level the object-oriented features of the language are barely in evidence and do not need to be discussed. The focus is on getting pupils to understand the process of developing programs, the importance of writing correct syntax, being able to formulate algorithms for simple programs and debugging their programs. Pupils will look at If statements and While loops whilst covering concepts such as validation and searching.

Final Task and an on screen assessment

  • Spiritual
  • Moral
  • Social
  • Cultural

Develop the individual:
Students will develop an understanding of how the technology they use daily functions and operates. They will build on problem solving, research and reasoning skills when reflecting on a system requirements task.

Create a supportive community:
Students can support each other in their understanding and reflect on the technological requirements of organisations such as a school.