IGCSE Computer Science
The audience of this page is parents who want to find out more about the IGCSE Computer Science (CS)Course offered here at BIS HCMC. So that a safe space can be used for teaching, only students are allowed in Google Classroom. That does not help parents who want to understand what their child is learning.
This is supposed to be a simple summary. More details, including the full specification, can be found here.
If there are any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me on the details below.
There are 10 units of study for CS, and these are assessed through 2 written papers. Paper 1 deals with how a computer works and that covers units 1-6 and paper 2 covers algorithmic thinking, and that covers 7 - 10. These units are:
1 - Data Representation, (Hex, Binary, Denary, conversations and calculations)
2 - Data Transmission, (How do we move the data around the network?)
3 - Hardware, (What is a computer?)
4 - Software, (What makes all the hardware do cool stuff?)
5 - The internet and its uses, (including how it works, digital currency, Cyber Security)
6 - Automated and emerging technologies, (including an introduction to AI and robotics).
7 - Algorithm design and problem solving, (what is an algorithm, an introduction to basic sorting and searching algorithms)
8 - Programming, (For IGCSE we will use Python)
9 - Databases, (An introduction through MS Access type queries, and then onto SQL
10 - Boolean Logic, (What are the different gates, symbols and how do we combine them into circuits.
Frequently asked questions,
Does my child need a top computer?
No, in fact with programming languages being as efficient as they are, an old computer will do fine. At this stage, as long as it can access the internet and is reliable, there is no requirement for a new computer.
I know C++, C#, F#, VBNet, can I teach them that?
If you know these these, great, and if your child can understand them, great. The GCSE will be taught in Python because, as time goes by, this has become the standard in education. As such, the resources are generally written in Python or PseudoPython, including the exam.
Having said that, the more practice at programming anyone gets, including the basic constructs of sequence, selection, iteration, the better.
You do not seem to be setting much homework?
There is no need to set a lot of homework - I speak a lot in lessons and students make notes and complete exercises in class. HOWEVER, I do go at pace. All students have access to the online textbook Kognity, and there is the expectation that they are revisiting the work that was completed in class, consolidating their knowledge.
My child wants to learn CS at university, what advice do you have?
Not every school does CS, so Universities generally start from a position of starting from the start. (Of course, the speed is quick). A skill that a CS student can never have enough practice at though is problem solving.
If you take a look at the Oxford University Computer Science website there are examples of interview questions, https://www.cs.ox.ac.uk/people/varun.kanade/website/blog/tags/interview/. These need a particular approach to problem solving. This can be practiced at https://www.bebras.uk/index.php?action=user_competitions amongst other locations.
And of course, the big one:
How can I help my child?If you do not hear from me, then the chances are that your child is doing fine. I would suggest that checking in with their notes and seeing where they are at is a good start. On top of that, programming skills are going to be useful. A course or a book on Python programming may help - BUT - there are plenty of resources that are free online and there is no requirement for any additional resources, this is only if you want to.
Finally, stay in touch - you have my details at the bottom of the page, and if you have any questions, please, do not hesitate to ask.