Higher Attainment In GCSE Computer Science - Meeting The Challenge Of Exams: Remote Over Two Days

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Computing is an evolving and exciting subject to teach that opens up career options. This pathway will support you, as a Business teacher, start your journey to becoming upskilled with the subject knowledge and confidence to teach computing. By booking onto this pathway, you’ll complete two of the following courses from the Computer Science Accelerator programme:

• Introduction to computer systems, networking and security
• Python programming constructs: sequencing, selection and iteration

Who is it for?

This course is intended for non-specialist Business teachers who are new to computing, wanting to learn more about the knowledge required to deliver the computing curriculum.No prior knowledge is required to attend this webinar.

What topics are covered?

By following this pathway, you’ll complete two of the following courses, you can find out which courses by selecting a course date:

• Introduction to computer systems, networking and security (CP438) – during this course you’ll learn about the different components of computer hardware, including devices not instantly recognisable as computers. The key components for input, processing, storage and output will be covered, and you’ll learn about the binary data that flows around and between computers. You’ll learn about the technologies required to network computer systems together so they can communicate and share data. You’ll also deepen your knowledge of some of the security risks that are commonly heard about in the daily news, which your students need to be aware of to be safe and responsible web citizens.
• Python programming constructs: sequencing, selection and iteration (CP423) – during this course you’ll develop your foundational knowledge around the Python language. Learn how to write code to input, process and output data, and how to manipulate data stored in variables. Using the building blocks of sequence, selection and iteration you’ll begin to understand how programs are constructed to perform a multitude of simple and more complex tasks.

How will you learn?

Scheduled live, interactive online sessions led by an experienced practitioner.Flexible facilitator-supported, participant-led tasks, involving deep exploration of the subject content.

How long is the course?

By following this pathway you’ll complete two courses from the Computer Science Accelerator programme, totalling approximately 10 hours, split across multiple days.This course is delivered as part of the National Centre for Computing Education.

Who is the course leader?

• Hannah White-Overton
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Outcomes Participants will:

Introduction to algorithms, programming data:

• Learn about algorithms, how they are usually represented, and some of their most common applications
• Recognise and use the basic building blocks of programming: sequence, selection and repetition
• Understand how binary, denary and hexadecimal are used to represent numbers, and why this is important for computer science

Introduction to computer systems, networking and security:

• Learn how data is inputted into a computer, how it is processed, stored and output in a useful form
• Develop a basic understanding of local and global computer networks
• Become knowledgeable and confident in using common cybersecurity terms

Python programming constructs: sequencing, selection and iteration:

• Develop some basic program constructs using variables, handling user input and output to the screen
• Follow the flow of a program, identifying values held in variables at different stages of execution
• Create and control indefinite loop structures in programs

As you progress beyond the basics of Python programming, this course will help you develop an understanding how programs are developed using the software life cycle, specifically the analysis, design and evaluation of a working solution.

During this course you’ll develop your understanding of how to analysis a set of requirements, including spotting patterns of which programming techniques maybe required, how to interpret these requirements through the use of abstraction and decomposition and learn how to develop decomposition diagrams to aid the planning of a programming project.

You’ll also explore how to effectively design a program, based upon your analysis of the requirements. You’ll build algorithms represented as either pseudocode or flowcharts to represent your designed solution.

Finally, you’ll learn how to effectively evaluate whether your programming project has been a success. Mapped closely to the specifications of GCSE computer science, the course will provide you with deepened knowledge and confidence that your students are equipped for assessments.

Who is it for?

This course is for current or prospective teachers of computer science, to undertake this course it is advised that you have a strong understanding of the fundamentals of the Python language.

Prior knowledge:

You’ll need to be confident in the essentials of sequence, selection, iteration and working with data files to access this course. It’s recommended that you undertake the following courses prior to this one: Python programming constructs: sequencing, selection and iteration and Python programming: working with data.

If you are entirely new to computer science, we recommend first participating in our one-day course: An introduction to algorithms, programming and data in GCSE computer science.

Course units:

• 01 | Analysis of programming project - Explore how to interpret a set of programming requirements effectively, you’ll learn more about abstraction and decomposition and how to apply these concepts when analysing the requirements of a project. During this session you’ll learn how to develop a decomposition diagram to support your planning of the project.
• 02 | Decomposition – During this session you’ll learn how to create decomposition diagrams based upon a set of user requirements.
• 03 | Designing a solution - In this session you’ll begin designing an algorithm to tackle the analysis completed in the first session. You’ll explore how pseudocode and flowcharts can be used to represent a design to a solution.
• 04 | Algorithms – Using the knowledge developed in the previous session, you’ll begin creating your algorithm, either as a flowchart or using pseudocode.
• 05 | Evaluating a solution - In this session you’ll explore how to evaluate the success of a program, this session will also explore how to write a report for a programming project.

How will you learn?

Scheduled live, interactive online sessions led by an experienced practitioner. Flexible facilitator-supported, participant-led tasks, involving deep exploration of the subject content.

How long is the course?

This course is approximately five hours in duration, split across several days.

Recommended next steps:

To compliment this course we also have: Python programming: advanced subject knowledge, implementation and testing available. It’s recommended that you complete this course alongside, to give you the knowledge of the full software life cycle.

Do you prefer to learn in a classroom? If so, take a look at:

Python programming: analysis, design and evaluation - face to face

This course is delivered as part of the National Centre for Computing Education.