Aims of Course

Description of the Course

The course has five areas of study:

Software design and development: Learners will move onto text-based programming using Python, one of the world’s most popular programming languages. They will develop knowledge, understanding and practical problem-solving skills in software design and development, through a range of practical tasks.

Computer systems: Building on the computer hardware section in S2, learners will study the cutting edge and emergent technology that could shape the way future generations will live from machines that can print bone to fully-automated homes and any stop in between.

Database design and development: Learners will develop knowledge, understanding and practical problem-solving skills in database design and development, through a range of practical and investigative tasks. This will provide a foundation for the skills to analyse, design, implement, test, and evaluate practical solutions in simple databases created in MS Access.

Web design and development: Learners will develop knowledge, understanding and practical problem-solving skills in web design and development, through a range of practical and investigative tasks. This will enable them to create simple multi-page websites using HTML.

The Environmental Impact of Computing Technology: Learners will discover the impact, both good and bad, that computing technology has had on the environment from mining raw materials, through lifetime carbon footprints and through disposal/recycling of old devices. They will develop a sense of what can be done to mitigate any damage done.