During this phase (Broad General Education) pupils will engage in building Computational thinking, Practical and theoretical knowledge of Computer Systems and developing inquisitive skills to explore new applications and technologies.
What is in the Course?
Game Design – This unit looks at how computer games are made. Pupils engage in creating different simple games from platform to racing complete with scoring, collision detection and timer. This is continued in Second year where pupils create their own game based on a specification.
Building a Website – Web Authoring covers designing and building a website using a mix of Html and Web Authoring tools. This is expanded later in the course to cover web interaction such as JavaScript.
Computer Graphics – Computer Graphics covers how computers store and manipulate graphics and is used to provide and edit graphics which are used in designing games and web authoring.
Computer Systems – All Computing is grounded in a firm understanding of the principles of design and architecture. This unit looks at the beginnings and principals that surround computers, identification of the parts and peripherals that make a modern system.
Programming – This unit is about introducing the concepts of Analysis and Design that then leads to creation of program code. Tapping into and using the problem solving abilities to read and understand a design specification, interpret those concepts and then begin to design a solution creates the foundation for much of the work that will be expected in a Computer centred world
Downloads
The following sites link to free or trial versions of some of the software we use on this course. This information is provided should pupils wish to practise further with the software at home. This is not compulsory for any course.
For all Cases, a responsible adult should download the software being careful of potential virus or malware through appropriate virus scanning software, also read and agree to any terms and conditions associated with downloading software from external commercial sites and for any consequential issues, to which the department will not be responsible for.
