Computing- Key Stage 3
ICT AND COMPUTING
AIMS OF THE CURRICULUM AREA
- To develop confident digital citizens who understand the power of the digital world. It uses accessible, challenging and engaging projects that empower students and promotes the productive use of ICT.
- To enable students to feel able to utilise technology, to understand how it works and how to make it work for themÍž making them feel in control.
- All students should have the opportunity to write their own computer programs.
TEACHING METHODS
- A variety of teaching and learning methods and styles are used, including whole class instruction, demonstration, collaborative learning, individual work, multi-media tutoring materials, electronic worksheets and online learning resources.
STUDENT ORGANISATION
- Students receive a one hour per week ICT & Computing lesson in Years 7,8 and 9.
- All students are taught in mixed ability groups.
RESOURCES
- The school has 5 computer rooms of 30 PCs. These are fully networked and all run office software and have internet access.
KEY STAGE 3 CURRICULUM OUTLINE
Digital Literacy
- What the cloud is and how to utilise cloud services
- To be proficient in using a range of digital online/offline applications
- How to transfer skills from one application to another
- How to use search engines effectively
- How to identify accurate information in the digital world
- To use blogs, social networks and other online digital tools
Digital Citizenship
- To be responsible when using social networks, technology and other online tools
- To understand the possible dangers they can face online
- To learn how to deal with situation they may encounter online
- To understand the impact ICT has on the world around them
- The positive and negative effects of ICT on their lives
- To learn how to use privacy setting on social networks
Digital Creativity
- The importance of evaluating existing digital content
- To consider audience and purpose when designing and creating digital products
- How to effectively combine text and images to produce effective digital products
- To learn how to effectively edit, repurpose and combine digital elements.
- The importance of self and peer evaluation
- To be effective when working independently as well as when collaborating with team
Computing
- To be able to create interactive games by using a visual programming language
- To learn a textual programming language and related computational terminology
- To learn about the hardware components inside a computer/tablet/smartphone
- To learn what an operating system is and why it is used
- To understand the history of Computer Science, as well as key figures in history
- To understand what an algorithm is and why they are used