S3 Computing:
Reporting Window 2

Following on from session one where pupils spent time learning how to create websites using HTML & CSS,  pupils were introduced to programming via Micro:Bits / Python and began to delve into the world of mobile app design.

Session 2 Topics

Mobile App Design

Pupils continued to learn how to create their own apps using MIT App Inventor, learning about user interface design and simple coding concepts such as variables, if statements and event handling. This unit also acted as an introduction to computer hardware, discussing processors, memory and storage. Pupils created multiple apps including a number guessing game, drawing on a celebrity (paint app) and a fortune telling app, which introduced lists in programming and making random decisions.

Computer Programming

Pupils have been developing their knowledge of python programming and have looked at various programming concepts such as variables, if statements, fixed loops and complex conditions. Pupils spent time designing and creating their own ‘text-based adventure’ which allowed them to get comfortable with pythons syntax and the importance of logic in their code. This allowed pupils to work extensively with the programming language used in S4 and beyond.

History of Computing Science

Pupils are currently doing a short piece of work on famous computing scientists, to break up the monotony of programming. Pupils have to research, using their internet research skills, a famous figure from the past such as Ada Lovelace or Alan Turing and bring together facts about their famous figure, pupils will then present this information in a poster format.

The reports for Computing Science have been generated by analysing how well pupils have coped with the various topics and looking at the benchmarks that coincide with these units of work. Summative assessment has included looking at pupil’s submissions such as their created website, text-based adventure code and their mobile app code/user interface design submissions. Formative assessment has been used in class to check pupils progress and understanding of their programming concepts and logic exercises. This involves discussing errors with pupils, giving pupils extra work when required and monitoring the size / complexity of created programs.

The course in S3 is designed around the CfE level 4 Outcomes and Benchmarks and most pupils are working at level 4 with a grade of C or above. This does not mean that pupils below this level are not making progress but may be requiring more support to complete and understand content.

Es and Os Covered

Working Level and Working Grade descriptions for S3 Computing:

Fourth A: A pupil achieving this level- will be making excellent progress at CfE Level 4, is achieving well against all the outcomes covered. They will be demonstrating these key skills in the work that they have so far completed. There will be evidence that they have taken the project further than was required (such as additional coding concepts or extra styling on website).

Fourth B: A pupil achieving this level- will be making good progress at CfE Level 4, is achieving well against most the outcomes covered. They will be demonstrating these key skills in the work that they have so far completed.

Fourth C: A pupil achieving this level- will be making reasonable progress at CfE Level 4, is achieving well against some the outcomes covered while finding others challenging. They will be demonstrating these key skills in the projects that they have so far completed.

For pupils working at Fourth A to C, National 5 Computing Science is recommended for next session as, if pupils are working at this level, it is expected that they will cope with the demands of National 5 Computing Science.

Fourth D: A pupil achieving this level- will be making some progress at CfE Level 4, is achieving against a few of the outcomes covered while finding others challenging. They will be demonstrating these key skills in the projects that they have so far completed. National 5 Computing Science would be possible next session.

Third A to D: A pupil achieving these levels- will be making some progress at CfE Level 3, is achieving against a few of the outcomes covered while finding most challenging. They will be demonstrating these key skills in the tasks that they have so far completed. National 4 Computing Science would be recommended for next session.