Computer Studies / ICT 2

                                                              Departmental Intent
The computing curriculum will ensure pupils are equipped to use information technology fluently, using computers to create programs, systems and other content. Computing will ensure all students are digitally literate and understand the dangers the online world has.

 The curriculum will equip students with the ability to use a variety of programs, and express themselves and develop their ideas through, information and communication technology at a level suitable for the future workplace and as active participants in a digital world.

 

                                                                      Year 7
Term 1 Unit(s) Title: Online Safety

 

Topics Include:

·       Different ways to communicate

·       What the internet can be used for

·       Dangers of chat rooms

·       How we can protect ourselves

·       SMART rules

·       Key terms – SPAM, VIRUS and CYBERBULLYING

 

Key Skills Being Developed:

·       Use technology safely (DL)

·       Use technology purposefully to create digital content (IT)

 

Unit(s) Title: Websites

 

Topics Include:

·       Hardware and software in a computer

·       Input, process and output

·       Storage devices

·       Input devices

·       Software

 

Key Skills Being Developed:

·       Understanding what algorithms are (CS)

 

Term 2  

Unit(s) Title: History of Computers

 

Topics Include:

·       Development of computers

·       Key people in the development of computers

·       Key events in the development of computers

 

Key Skills Being Developed:

·       Use technology purposefully to retrieve digital content (IT)

 

Unit(s) Title: Scratch

 

Topics Include:

·       Scratch introduction

·       Creating movement

·       Controlling movement

·       Creating a game

·       Clock project

·       Cat and Dog

·       Pen drawing

 

Key Skills Being Developed:

·       Create simple programs (CS)

·       Use technology purposefully to create digital content (IT)

 

Term 3  

Unit(s) Title: Digital Products

 

Topics Include:

·       Discuss planning

·       Purpose and audience

·       Create digital product

 

Key Skills Being Developed:

·       Use technology purposefully to create digital content (IT)

 

                                                                        Year 8
Term 1  

Unit(s) Title: Spreadsheets

 

Topics Include:

·       Features of a spreadsheet (rows, columns etc.)

·       Basic functions

·       Basic formula

·       Graphs

·       Basic formatting (currency, borders etc)

 

Key Skills Being Developed:

·       Use technology purposefully to manipulate digital content (IT)

 

Unit(s) Title: Graphics

 

Topics Include:

·       Know why graphics are used

·       Explain what makes a good graphic

·       Design suitable logo for a given purpose

 

Key Skills Being Developed:

·       Use a variety of software to accomplish given goals (IT)

 

 

Term 2  

Unit(s) Title: Graphics

 

Topics Include:

·       Analyse existing logo’s

·       Editing images

·       Using advanced tools

 

Key Skills Being Developed:

·       Design and create content (IT)

 

Unit(s) Title: HTML

 

Topics Include:

·       HTML Basics

·       Hyperlinks and Image Tags

·       Website creation using HTML

 

Key Skills Being Developed:

·       Understand that programs execute by following precise and unambiguous instructions (CS)

 

Term 3  

Unit(s) Title: Micro Bits

 

Topics Include:

·       Introduction to Micro Bits

 

Key Skills Being Developed:

·       Write programs that accomplish specific goals (CS)

 

Unit(s) Title: Digital Products

 

Topics Include:

·       Create task list

·       Project requirements

·       Purpose and audience

·       Aims and Objectives

·       Create digital product

 

Key Skills Being Developed:

·       Use technology purposefully to organise digital content (IT)

 

                                                                           Year 9
Term 1 Unit(s) Title: Databases

 

Topics Include:

·       What is a field

·       What is a record?

·       Creating a flat file database

·       Creating relational databases

·       Advantages of a computer database

·       Disadvantages of a computer database

 

Key Skills Being Developed:

·       Collect information (IT)

 

Unit(s) Title: Website Design

 

Topics Include:

·       Identify the criteria for judging a website

·       Explain how that an effective website will match the needs and interests of the user

·       Analyse the good and bad features of a website

·       Website structure and layout

 

Key Skills Being Developed:

·       Design and create content (IT)

 

Term 2 Unit(s) Title: Website Creation

 

Topics Include:

·       Tables

·       CSS

·       Creating a banner

·       Creating a home page

·       Developing web pages

 

Key Skills Being Developed:

·       Select a variety of software to accomplish given goals (IT)

 

Unit(s) Title: Micro Bits

 

Topics Include:

·       Micro Bit Projects

 

Key Skills Being Developed:

·       Design and create programs (CS)

 

Term 3 Unit(s) Title: Spreadsheets

 

Topics Include:

·       Advance functions

 

Key Skills Being Developed:

·       Present data (IT)

 

Unit(s) Title: Digital Products

 

Topics Include:

·       Choice of scenario

·       Purpose and audience

·       Aims and Objectives

·       Create GANTT chart

·       Project requirements

·       Accessibility

·       Methodology

·       Contingency plans

·       Storyboard

·       Create digital project

 

Key Skills Being Developed:

·       Combine a variety of software to accomplish given goals (IT)

 

                                                                           Year 10
Term 1 Unit(s) Title: Exploring user interface, design principles and project planning.

 

Topics Include:

·       What is a user interface?

·       Audience needs

·       Design principles

·       Designing an efficient user interface

 

Unit(s) Title: Use project planning techniques to plan and design a user interface

 

Topics Include:

·       Project planning techniques

·       Create a project plan

·       Create an initial design

·       Developing a user interface

·       Refining the user interface

 

Term 2 Unit(s) Title: Formal Assessment Learning Aims B and C

 

Topics Include:

·       Use a range of project planning tools

·       Create plans for a user interface

·       Create a user interface

 

Unit(s) Title: Collecting. Presenting and interpreting data

 

Topics Include:

·       Characteristics of data and information

·       Representing information

·       Ensuring data is suitable for processing

·       Data collection

·       Quality of information and its impact on decision making

·       Sectors that use data modelling

 

Term 3 Unit(s) Title: Create a dashboard using data manipulation tools

 

Topics Include:

·       Data processing methods

·       Produce a dashboard

 

Unit(s) Title: Draw conclusions and review data presentation methods

 

Topics Include:

·       Drawing conclusions based on the data

·       How presentation affects understanding

 

                                                                       Year 11
Term 1 Unit(s) Title: COMPONENT 3: EFFECTIVE DIGITAL WORKING PRACTICES

 

Topics Include:

·       A Modern technology

·       A1 Modern technologies

·       A2 Impact of modern technologies

 

Unit(s) Title: B Cyber security

 

Topics Include:

·       B1 Threats to data

·       B2 Prevention and management of threats to data

·       B3 Policy

 

Term 2 Unit(s) Title: C The wider implications of digital systems

 

Topics Include:

·       C1 Responsible use

·       C2 Legal and ethical

·       D Planning and communication in digital systems

·       D1 Forms of notation

 

Unit(s) Title: Exam preparation

·       Revisit topics

Term 3 Unit(s) Title: Exam preparation

 

·       Revisit topics

 

KS4 Qualification Information
Course Title: BTEC Technical Award in Digital Information Technology

Exam Board: Edexcel BTEC Digital Information Technology gives you the opportunity to develop sector-specific knowledge and skills in a practical learning environment. You will develop key skills in digital information technology such as project planning, designing and creating user interfaces (mobile apps and websites), and creating dashboards to present and interpret data processes that underpin effective ways of working. You will cover both coursework and exam units studying theory such as project planning, the computational design process, cyber security, virtual workplaces and legal and ethical codes of conduct.

Examination Description: 2 coursework components (60%) 1 external examination (40%)

 

For more information please contact the head of department: