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Topic title: Component 2 Problem solving, algorithms and programming

Year group: 12/13

When taught: September to May

What are we learning?

  • Programming techniques including use of constructs, variables, modular coding and recursion.
  • Features of integrated development environments and user interfaces.
  • Object orientated coding techniques.
  • Computational methods including problem recognition, problem decomposition, abstraction, pipelining and visualization.
  • Knowledge of standard algorithms for searching and sorting.
  • Measurements of the efficiency and complexity of algorithms.

Why is this important to know? 

  • To develop coding prowess by understanding more about the pros and cons of algorithms and programming techniques.
  • To help students to choose an appropriate IDEs for their future programming work.
  • To enable students to recognise which problems can and cannot be solved using computers and to help students develop coding solutions.

Where does this link into our past and future learning? 

  • This links to learning in KS4 when students developed their computational thinking and coding skills.
  • Much of this knowledge is needed for Unit 3 (NEA project).
  • This unit will give you theoretical knowledge and practical coding skills for a range of IT, cyber security and computer science apprenticeships and university courses.

How will we be assessed on this topic?

  • There will be topic assessments throughout the year and external assessments in May in Yr12 and Yr13.

What makes a strong piece of work in this topic?  What are teachers hoping to see?  

  • A capacity to problem solve and apply computational thinking methods.
  • An ability to code accurately and independently find and correct coding errors.
  • The ability to trace algorithms and predict outcomes.
  • Use the written word to compare standard algorithms in a given scenario.

What key words are there in this topic?

Quizlet

What can I try if I want to stretch and challenge myself on this topic?

 

Develop your problem solving skills using sites such as: