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S1 / S2 Computing
Duration
One period a week in S1 and S2
Course Content
The S1 IT course aims to give every pupil the skills and experience
necessary to enable them to be confident using the school network
and a wide variety of software. The course covers the outcomes and experiences outlined in the Curriculum for Excellence guidelines for S1 and S2:
Email and Internet safety
Web design (Dreamweaver)
Programming (Scratch, Javascript)
Computer Systems
Computer Animation (Flash)
Video and Audio editing (Movie maker, Audacity)
Digital Image Editing (Photoshop)
3D Modelling (Google Sketchup)
Each unit lasts between four and six periods, though some are
re-visited during the year.
Download
S1 course outline
Download S2 course outline
Teaching Methods
Most of the course is practical work using computers. A comprehensive
booklet is provided with detailed instructions on how to complete
each unit. Extension exercises are provided for anyone who needs
them. Some of the teaching materials are available on the school
intranet as tutorials or help pages.
Assessment
There are a number of practical tasks undertaken during the course which pupils complete as part of
their assessment. These include:
Designing a game in MIT Scratch
Creating a website using Dreamweaver
Creating a Flash animation
Creating and editing a digital image
Creating a 3D model in Sketchup
Pupils store their work in an E-Folio which is used to assess their progress thoroughout the two year course.
Download S1 course assessment information
Download S2 course assessment information
Homework
There is no formal homework set for this course, though pupils
may be asked to plan work or collect information in preparation
for a task.
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Standard Grade Computing Studies
Course Content
 The Standard Grade computing course
will help you understand computer systems and computer applications
from the point of view of the
solution of practical problems. It will introduce you to using
computers to solve problems and develop your problem solving
skills in both practical and abstract situations. It will give
you an increased awareness of the impact of computers and information
technology on society and the individual.
Topics studied in S3 include:
General Purpose Packages
This topic includes Word Processors,
Electronic Mail, Databases, Spreadsheets, Spreadsheets, Graphics
packages and an introduction to Desk Top Publishing and electronic
publishing.
Computer systems
This topic includes Networks, Hardware and Software,
Operating Systems and Data Storage techniques.
Topics covered in S4 include:
Programming
The procedural programming language Visual Basic
is used, the emphasis being on structured programming. (This
topic starts in S3)
Industrial and Commercial Applications
This
topic includes Robotics, Computer Aided Design and Commercial
Data Processing.
Downloads:
Download
course outline
63KB PDF file, opening in a new window
Download
Learning Outcomes
17KB PDF file, opening in a new window
Download
course arrangements
822KB PDF file, opening in a new window
Teaching Methods
The course is taught by a combination of practical
activities using the school network, project work, investigations
and traditional
teaching.
Assessment
A: Most units are assessed by a short test. Marks are
awarded for Problem Solving, Knowledge and Understanding and
Practical Abilities. There are exams in November and April in S3
and a prelim
exam in December in S4.
B: The Practical Abilities grade
is internally assessed. At the end of the fourth year, two items
of non-programming coursework,
two items of programming coursework and one project are chosen
to give a Coursework grade. A number of practical taskss are usually
undertaken, and the best of these can be submitted as evidence
for the Coursework grade.
Homework
Homework should take about half an hour a week, and may
be consolidation exercises, revision, research or exam preparation.
Further information can
be obtained from Mr King in Room 11,
or by email from iking@kelso.scotborders.sch.uk.
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Intermediate 2 Computing Studies
Entry Requirements
A General level award in Standard Grade Computing
Studies or an Intermediate 1 award in Computing Studies. Course Content
The Computer Systems unit is designed to develop
your knowledge and understanding of how computer hardware and
software is organised,
how data is input, stored and output, and to enable you to select
computer systems to match specific requirements.
The Software Development unit is
designed to develop your knowledge and understanding of how software
is created commercially and what
is necessary in a modern software development environment. We will
be using the Visual Basic programming environment developed by
Microsoft, and will develop a solution to problems using the following
stages of the software development process: analysis, design, implementation,
testing and documentation.
The Computer Networking unit
is designed to develop your knowledge and extend
your
skills
in
computer networking - using both Local Area and Wide Area networks.
Download
course outline
53KB PDF file, opening in a new window
Download
course arrangements
873KB PDF file, opening in a new window
Download
Specimen Exam Paper
269KB PDF file, opening in a new window
Assessment
A: Regular homework is used to assess progress throughout
the course.
B: Each unit is divided into
two Learning Outcomes. The learning outcomes are assessed
by a short end of
topic test, and a practical exercises.
C: Coursework on the two mandatory units is assessed
with a 10 hour practical test. The coursework counts for 30% of
your final mark.
D: The examination in May covers all three units
and counts for 70% of your final mark.
Homework
Homework should take about an hour a week, and may be consolidation
exercises, revision, research or exam preparation. Further Information
Further information can
be obtained from Mr King in Room 11,
or by email from iking@kelso.scotborders.sch.uk.
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Higher Computing Studies
Entry Requirements
 A Credit level award in Standard Grade Computing
or an Intermediate 2 award in Computing Studies.
Course Content
Two Mandatory Units:
Computer Systems
The Computer Systems unit covers how computer hardware and software is
organised, how data is input, stored and output, and to enable you to select
computer systems to match specific requirements.
Software Development
The Software Development unit covers
how software is created commercially and what is necessary in a
modern software development environment. We will
be using the Java language developed by Sun Microsystems, and will
develop a solution to problems using the following stages of the
software development
process: analysis, design, implementation, testing and documentation.
One Optional Unit:
The Artificial Intelligence unit covers the development of artificial intelligence
as well as the representation and processing of knowledge. Several aspects
of artificial intelligence are investigated including: expert systems, search
strategies, natural language processing, neural networks, and artificial
life.
The Computer Networking unit covers Local
Area and Wide area computer networks. You will study the Internet,
together with the ethical and legal implications
of computer networking. This unit is currently the favoured option
and is the one taught in class. Students may opt for other topics,
but will have to work on their own for some of the time if they
do so.
The Multimedia Technology unit is designed
to introduce you to the software, hardware, media elements and standards
which underpin multimedia. You will
develop practical competence in the use of hardware and software
to capture and process media elements and develop your problem solving abilities
in
this domain.
On-line course materials are provided by theHeriot Watt University
Scholar project
which can be accessed from home as well as school.
Download
course outline
56KB PDF file, opening in a new window
Download
course arrangements
1.1MB PDF file, opening in a new window
Download
Specimen Exam Paper
393KB PDF file, opening in a new window
Assessment
A: Regular homework is used to assess progress throughout the
course.
B: Each unit is divided into two
Learning Outcomes. The learning outcomes are assessed by
a short multiple choice end of topic test and a practical exercise.
C: Coursework on the two mandatory units is assessed with
a 10 hour practical test. The coursework counts for 30% of your
final mark.
D: The examination in May covers all three units and counts
for 70% of your final mark.
Homework
Homework should take about half an hour a week, and may be consolidation
exercises, revision, research or exam preparation.
Further information can
be obtained from Mr King in Room 11, or by email from iking@kelso.scotborders.sch.uk.
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Advanced Higher Computing Studies
Entry Requirements
A pass in Higher Computing Studies.
Course Content
Two Mandatory Units: Software
Development
The
Software Development unit is designed
to build upon your knowledge and understanding gained at Higher
level. It covers analysis and
design and applying a design methodology to a problem.
Developing a Software Solution
The Developing a Software Solution This
unit requires you to demonstrate an analytical approach to a
computing
problem, research for information
relevant to the problem and to implement a solution.
One Optional Unit:
The Artificial Intelligence unit covers problem solving, knowledge domains,
search methods and expert system shells.
The Computer Networking unit covers the
characteristics of network application programs and network architecture.
The Computer Architecture unit covers
the architecture of microprocessors, assembly language programming
and comparing operating systems.
Download
course outline
64KB PDF file, opening in a new window
Download
course arrangements (Valid from 2005)
1.7MB PDF file, opening in a new window
Download
Specimen Paper
236KB PDF file, opening in a new window
Assessment
A: Regular homework is used to assess progress throughout the
course.
B: Each unit is divided into two Learning
Outcomes. The learning outcomes are assessed by
a short multiple choice end of topic test and a practical exercise.
C: Your coursework grade is determined by your
performance in the coursework project: This will draw on work from
the first two units, with much of the practical work being completed as
part of unit
2. The coursework project counts for 40% of the final mark
D:
The examination in May covers all three units and counts for
60% of your final mark.
Homework
Homework should take about an hour a week, and may be consolidation
exercises, revision, research or exam preparation. Further
information can be obtained from Mr King in Room 11,
or by email from iking@kelso.scotborders.sch.uk.
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