SCOTTISH QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY – MAY 2012 CURRICULUM EVENTS – COURSE AIMS AND STRUCTURE SUBJECT: COMPUTING SCIENCE The purpose of the Course is to develop learners’ knowledge of the technological world and to develop their skills in developing computer-based solutions to problems. PURPOSE: National 3 National 4 National 5 Higher The aims of the Course are to enable learners to: develop computational thinking skills across a range of contemporary contexts develop knowledge and understanding of key concepts and processes in computing science apply skills and knowledge in analysis, design, implementation and evaluation to a range of digital solutions communicate computing concepts and explain computational behaviour clearly and concisely using appropriate The aims of the Course are to enable learners to: develop and apply aspects of computational thinking in a range of computing contexts extend and apply knowledge and understanding of advanced concepts and processes in computing science apply skills and knowledge in analysis, design, implementation and evaluation to a range of digital solutions with some complex aspects communicate advanced computing concepts and explain computational behaviour clearly and COURSE AIMS The aims of the Course are to enable learners to: introduce and develop aspects of computational thinking in a range of contexts develop knowledge and understanding of basic facts and ideas in computing science develop skills and knowledge in software and applicationbased development tools apply skills and knowledge to develop and implement simple digital solutions The aims of the Course are to enable learners to: introduce and develop aspects of computational thinking across a range of contemporary contexts develop knowledge and understanding of key facts and ideas in computing science apply skills and knowledge in analysis, design, implementation and testing to a range of digital solutions communicate computing concepts clearly and concisely using appropriate terminology National 3 National 4 develop an understanding of the impact of computing science in changing and influencing our environment and society National 5 terminology develop an understanding of the role and impact of computing science in changing and influencing our environment and society Higher concisely, using appropriate terminology develop awareness of current trends in computing technologies and their impact in transforming and influencing our environment and society STRUCTURE, ASSESSMENT AND HIERARCHIES Course Structure: Course Structure: Course Structure: Units: Building Digital Solutions 1) Develop simple digital solutions using appropriate development software 2) Identify some of the key features of development software Units: Software Design and Development 1) Explain how simple programs work, drawing on understanding of basic concepts in software development 2) Develop short programs using a software development environment 3) Produce a short factual report on a contemporary Units: Units: Software Design and Software Design and Development Development 1) Explain how 1) Explain how programs programs work, work, drawing on an drawing on understanding of understanding of advanced concepts in concepts in software software development and development and computer architecture basic computer 2) Develop modular architecture programs using one or 2) Develop short more software programs using one development or more software environments development 3) Produce a detailed report environments on the impact of 3) Produce a short contemporary computing detailed report technologies Information Solutions 1) Develop simple information solutions using appropriate applications 2) Identify some of the key features of applications Course Structure: National 3 Hierarchies: Each Unit is hierarchical with corresponding Unit at National 4. i.e. Building Digital Solutions with Software Design and Development, Information Solutions with Information System Design and Development National 4 software-based application Information System Design and Development 1) Develop simple information systems, using appropriate development tools 2) Consider a number of basic factors involved in the design and implementation of an information system Computing and Information Science Assignment (Added Value) 1) Develop, with guidance, a digital solution which will draw on and apply skills and knowledge of software and information systems design and development National 5 comparing two contemporary software development languages or environments Information System Design and Development 1) Develop information systems, using appropriate development tools 2) Consider the factors involved in the design and implementation of an information system Course Assessment: Assignment and Question Paper Hierarchies: Each Unit is hierarchical with corresponding Unit at National 4 and Higher. Higher Information System Design and Development 1) Develop information systems using appropriate development tools 2) Consider the factors involved in the design and implementation of an information system Course Assessment: Assignment and Question Paper Hierarchies: Each Unit is hierarchical with corresponding Unit at National 5. National 3 National 4 National 5 Higher Hierarchies: Each Unit is hierarchical with corresponding Unit at National 3 and National 5. SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING applying, with guidance, aspects of computational thinking across a range of simple contexts analysing, with guidance, simple problems within computing science across a range of contemporary contexts creating, implementing and testing, with guidance, digital solutions to simple problems across a range of contemporary contexts using a range of tools and applications to create, share and locate information basic knowledge of key facts and ideas related to building digital solutions and information solutions applying, with guidance, applying aspects of aspects of computational thinking across a range of straightforward contexts analysing, with guidance, straightforward problems within computing science across a range of contemporary contexts designing, implementing and testing, with guidance, digital solutions (including computer programs) to straightforward problems across a range of contemporary contexts developing skills in computer programming computational thinking across a range of contexts analysing problems within computing science across a range of contemporary contexts designing, implementing and testing digital solutions (including computer programs) to problems across a range of contemporary contexts developing skills in computer programming and the ability to communicate how a program works by being able to read and interpret code applying computational thinking to understand problems across a range of contexts analysing problems with some complex aspects within computing science across a range of contemporary contexts designing, implementing, testing and evaluating digital solutions (including computer programs) to problems with some complex aspects across a range of contemporary contexts developing skills in computer programming and the ability to communicate how a program works by being able to read and interpret code communicating understanding of advanced concepts related National 3 National 4 National 5 and the ability to communicating communicate how a understanding of key program works by being concepts related to able to read and software design and interpret code development and communicating basic information system understanding of key design and concepts related to development, clearly software design and and concisely, using development and appropriate terminology information system understanding of the design and development legal implications and clearly and concisely, environmental impact of using appropriate contemporary terminology information system basic knowledge of the technologies impact of contemporary applying computing software-based science concepts and applications on the techniques to create environment or society solutions across a range applying basic of contexts computing science concepts and techniques to create solutions Higher to software design and development and information system design and development, clearly and concisely, using appropriate terminology investigating and evaluating the legal, environmental, economic, and social impact of contemporary computing technologies applying computing science concepts and techniques to create solutions across a range of contexts