Academic year 2023-2024
What we will be studying
Year 7:
Topic 1 – Modelling data using spreadsheets
The spreadsheet unit for Year 7 takes students from having very little knowledge of spreadsheets to being able to confidently model data with a spreadsheet. The unit uses engaging activities to progress learners from using basic formulas to writing their own COUNTIF statements. This unit will give students a good set of skills that they can use in computing lessons and in other subject areas.
Topic 2 – Clear messaging in digital media
This unit is designed to build upon student’s experience from key stage 2. It requires students to use a range of different skills across several pieces of software. Students will work between different applications to create a poster and slides on a given theme. The unit is designed so that students can concentrate on applying skills that they may have previously learnt as well as those learnt in the unit. Throughout this unit, students will use Canva. Canva is a web or application based piece of software and can be used on tablets, desktops and laptops. For the second half of the unit, students will use presentation slides software, such as Google Slides or Microsoft Powerpoint.
Year 8:
Students will work in teams to design and create an app that acts on climate change. Students will follow a project-based path that provides climate action and digital literacy skills. By the end of the term, students will have created an app that aims to act on climate change. The course will educate our young people about the climate crisis, enabling them to take action and preparing them for green jobs of the future.
Whilst students can come to a very satisfying end point with paper prototypes, they have potential to do so much more with AppLab. AppLab is a free coding tool where students can build a click-through prototype of their app and throughout the course of this project, students will have the opportunity to use AppLab to help with their prototype. AppLab is a fantastic tool for complete beginners to coding, but also provides the opportunity to get into some more complex tasks.
Year 9
Term 1-2.2: App Development
Students will work in teams or individually to design and build an app that solves a problem they care about, with the aim of creating a working prototype by the end of the term. Students go through technical skills such as UX, Design, Programming and Coding throughout the duration of the course, but the impact is just as big on essential skills such as confidence, team working and resilience. The course looks at the ways in which technology affects every aspect of our modern life, and how it can be used to solve problems and build on opportunities that are at the forefront of young people’s minds. This course also helps prepare our young people for the real world of working in technology by linking them with professionals from some of the world’s top brands.
Term 2.3-3: Machine Learning
Students will work in teams or individually to design and build a prototype that solves a problem they care about using machine learning algorithms. By the end of the term, students will have built a machine learning prototype. They will explore a wide range of machine learning applications and assess the social, legal and ethical impact of the use of AI algorithms. Students go through technical skills such as UX, Design, Programming and Coding throughout the duration of the course, but the impact is just as big on essential skills such as confidence, team working and resilience. The course looks at the ways in which technology affects every aspect of our modern life, and how it can be used to solve problems and build on opportunities that are at the forefront of young
people’s minds. This course also helps prepare our young people for the real world of working in technology by linking them with professionals from some of the world’s top brands.
Students will also be offered the opportunity to enter their prototype into the Apps For Good showcase. All submissions are reviewed by independent shortlisters from some of the biggest names in technology and each project gets personalised feedback from up to five industry professionals. Chosen submissions from across the country also have a chance to be showcased on the Apps For Good website and social media.
Useful websites:
https://www.canva.com/
https://www.appsforgood.org/
https://isaaccomputerscience.org/
https://codeclub.org/en
https://studio.code.org/courses
https://www.turinglab.co.uk/content