Coronavirus Home Schooling Tasks

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Purpose and aims:

The Computing Science course helps candidates to understand computational processes and thinking. It covers a number of unifying themes that are used to explore a variety of specialist areas, through practical and investigative tasks.

The course highlights how computing professionals are problem-solvers and designers, and the far-reaching impact of information technology on our environment and society.

It enables candidates to:

• apply computational-thinking skills across a range of contemporary contexts
• apply knowledge and understanding of key concepts and processes in computing science
• apply skills and knowledge in analysis, design, implementation, testing and evaluation to a range of digital solutions
• communicate computing concepts and explain computational behaviour clearly and concisely using appropriate terminology
• develop an understanding of the role and impact of computing science in changing and influencing our environment and society

 

Course Content

The course has four areas of study:

Software design and development

Candidates develop knowledge, understanding and practical problem-solving skills in software design and development, through a range of practical and investigative tasks using appropriate software development environments. This develops their programming and computational-thinking skills by implementing practical solutions and explaining how these programs work. Tasks involve some complex features (in both familiar and new contexts), that require some interpretation by candidates. They are expected to analyse problems, and design, implement, test and evaluate their solutions.

Computer systems

Candidates develop an understanding of how data and instructions are stored in binary form and basic computer architecture. They gain an awareness of the environmental impact of the energy use of computing systems and security precautions that can be taken to protect computer systems.

Database design and development

Candidates develop knowledge, understanding and practical problem-solving skills in database design and development, through a range of practical and investigative tasks. This allows candidates to apply computational-thinking skills to analyse, design, implement, test, and evaluate practical solutions, using a range of development tools such as SQL. Tasks involve some complex features (in both familiar and new contexts), that require some interpretation by candidates.

Web design and development

Candidates develop knowledge, understanding and practical problem-solving skills in web design and development, through a range of practical and investigative tasks. This allows candidates to apply computational-thinking skills to analyse, design, implement, test and evaluate practical solutions to web-based problems, using a range of development tools such as HTML, CSS and Javascript. Tasks involve some complex features (in both familiar and new contexts), that require some interpretation by candidates.

 

Skills, knowledge and understanding for the course

The following provides a broad overview of the subject skills, knowledge and understanding developed in the course:

• applying aspects of computational thinking across a range of contexts
• analysing problems within computing science across a range of contemporary contexts
• designing, implementing, testing and evaluating digital solutions (including computer programs) to problems across a range of contemporary contexts
•  developing skills in computer programming and the ability to communicate how a program works, by being able to read and interpret code
• communicating understanding of key concepts related to computing science, clearly and concisely, using appropriate terminology
• understanding of legal implications and environmental impact of contemporary technologies
• applying computing science concepts and techniques to create solutions across a range of contexts

 

Assessment:

Internal Assessment

The course assessment has two components:

Component	Marks	Duration
Component 1: External Question Paper	110	2 hours
Component 2: Practical Assignment	50	8 hours

 

The overall award for the course will be graded A-D.