Years 7 & 8 Curriculum - Computer Studies

Half Term Year 7 Year 8
Autumn 1 Students will be shown how to use the network effectively and given a baseline assessment.

E-Safety – Students will learn about a range of ways to use technology respectfully, responsibly and securely. Content will include how to protect their online identity and privacy; recognising inappropriate content, contact and conduct and knowing how to report concerns		 Students will be given a baseline assessment.

E-safety - Students will extend their previous knowledge by learning about:

 

  • methods of communication
  • Identify threats and risks
  • Methods of staying safe and reporting
  • Privacy and protecting identity
  • Create understanding of importance of information security and backing up data
Autumn 2 Spreadsheets -  Students will focus on what a spreadsheet is and can be used for, including how to format appropriately. They will practise using formulae and functions including, but not limited to:
 
  • Basic formulae (+ - * /)
  • Functions (SUM, MIN, MAX, COUNTIF, AVERAGE, etc.)
  • Advanced functions (IF statements)
 Spreadsheets – Students will recap basic skills learnt in Year 7. They will the develop advanced skills including:

 

  • Modelling
  • Sequencing & sorting
  • Data types
  • Data validation
  • Formula and functions
  • Advanced functions (Conditional formatting, Goal Seek, IF Statements, Data Validation, Lookups etc)
  • Creating graphs and charts
Spring 1 Web design – Students will focus on developing research, planning, and design skills, then create, test and evaluate their own website. We use industry standard Web Authoring Software (Dreamweaver). Podcasting – Students will further develop their research, planning and collaboration skills in creating a podcast.  Students will create a podcast on computer laws in pairs, creating an opportunity for peer assessment. Students will understand podcasting as another method of presenting information as well as how and where it can be used effectively.
Spring 2 Control – using real world problems familiar to them, students will develop an understanding of computational thinking, including:
 
  • Algorithmic Thinking
  • Evaluation
  • Decomposition
  • Abstraction
  • Generalisation


Students use range of software to develop the above skills, including
 
  • Flowol
  • LOGO
 Database - students will focus on developing their understanding of databases in the real world and practical database skills, including:
 
  • Data types
  • Data validation
  • Queries (simple, complex, parameter and wild cards)
  • Reports
  • Forms
Summer 1 Computer Architecture - Students will develop an awareness that computers solve problems and can only input, process and output information/instructions given to them by humans etc

Focus will be on following areas:
 
  • Hardware (inputs, outputs, storage, peripherals)
  • Software (types, application, utility, operating systems)
  • Binary representation (images)
  • Wireless Internet
  • Networks
 HTML - Students have the opportunity to learn HTML scripting in Notepad, reinforcing their creativity and computational thinking skills.
Students will practise using different commands to create elements which can then be used in their webpage.
Summer 2 Year 7 exam - Current paper covers all elements studied in proposed schedule except web design. In the lead up to the exam, students will focus on revision skills and techniques designed to allow them to be successful in the exam. Programming – Students will continue developing algorithmic thinking skills while learning how to code simple solutions in Python. This unit will also promote problem solving skills, resilience and independence.
Students will learn how to create, debug and improve working programs.