Computing
All students at Harris Academy Riverside study Computer Science in years 7 to 9 to ensure they have a solid grounding in the subject before they choose it for GCSE.
In Computer Science, students learn in depth how computers work and how programming can help us create applications. For example students make interesting computer programmes using 'Python' which is an interpreted, high-level, general-purpose programming language. Students will also learn to use 'Kodu' where students create games on the computer via a simple visual programming language. 'Kodu' can be used to teach creativity, problem solving, storytelling, as well as programming.
Students will also be using 'AppShed' where pupils will learn to code by making games. The focus of Apshed's game maker is to teach computational thinking.
Students progress by increasing their understanding and knowledge of progamming through these programming languages by progressing from simple steps using templates to more complex scenarios.The curriculum is designed to increase student knowledge by sequencing sections of core learning over time.
Students can progress to increasingly complex games powered by the underlying 'JavaScript' game engine.
Harris Academy Riverside has 3 brand new Computer Science suites with the latest Window 10 Software. Each student has access to a computer, a username and password to access the academy network.
At Key Stage 4 students will be studying OCR Computer Science which includes the topics of :
- Systems Architecture
- Memory
- Storage
- Wired and wireless networks
- Network topologies, protocols and layers
- System security
- System software
- Ethical, legal, cultural and environmental concerns
- Algorithms
- Programming techniques
- Producing robust programs
- Computational logic
- Translators and facilities of languages
- Data representation
- Programming techniques
- Analysis
- Design
- Development
- Testing and evaluation and conclusions.
