Topic outline

  • Introduction

    • 50% of the total AS GCE marks
    • Answer all questions.
    • 1.5 h written paper
    • 100 marks

  • Induction Lesson

    (1 Hour)

    • Introduction to Course and its Structure. 
    • Class Discussion into Computing and what it means to us.
    • In Lesson Task: Set up gMail/Blogger for future homeworks
    • Home Learning: Create a blog post that introduces you and your interests and prior experience.

  • Flow Charts and Pseudo Code

     (4 Hours)

    • All of you will understand the purpose of pseudo code and flow charts (D-E )
    • Most of you will be able to write some clear pseudo code and be able to translate others work (B-C )
    • Some of you will add complicated functions into their pseudo code to make it complete advanced skills (A *-A)

    Flow charts and pseudo code give you the fundamentals of programming. If you master these skills you will find creating and adapting algorithms in Java, HTML and Python a lot more straight forward.

    Spec Link 3.2.1.f, 3.2.1.g, 3.2.1.h, 3.2.1.i

  • Introduction to Procedural Programming

    (2 Hours)

    During this topic you will be introduced to codecademy.com that you will be using through the duration of the course. You will use the Python and JavaScript tutorials alongside labs to learn two languages. You should download any code they produce and/or blog screenshots of their work so we can track your progress via RSS.
    Spec Link: 3.2.2.a, 3.2.2.b, 3.2.5.h, 3.2.5.i

  • Introduction to data-types and variables

    In this topic you will learn about declaring variables, why they must be assigned a data type and initialised to a starting value.   You will also understand why keywords must be avoided.

    Spec Link: 3.2.1.c, 3.2.3.a, 3.2.3.c, 3.2.5.a, 3.2.5.c

  • Basic Operations

    (1 Hour)

  • Introducing String Operations

    (4 Hours)

    In this topic you learn about Strings, their formation and how they can be manipulated.  You will understand that String Manipulation Functions are often built into a programming language.  Some of you will explore how Regular Expressions can be used to manipulate strings.
    Spec Link: 3.2.4.g, 3.2.4.h

  • The Selection Constructs

     (5 Hours)

    In this topic you will learn about:
    • Selection
    • If Then Else
    • Switch Case
    • and Boolean Operators
    Spec Link: 3.2.2.a, 3.2.2.b, 3.2.2.c, 3.2.2.e, 3.2.4.c, 3.2.4.d, 3.2.4.e, 3.2.4.f

  • Repetition (While, Do and For)

    (5 Hours)

    Spec Link: 3.2.2.a, 3.2.2.b, 3.2.2.d, 3.2.2.e

  • Constructs Revision

    You have now covered the three primary constructs used in procedural programming.

    • Sequence - order of instructions
    • Selection - Ifs and Case Select statements
    • Repetition - For and Do While loops.

    They are the computer programmers DIY equivalent of hammer, screwdriver and saw.  You cannot go anywhere without understanding and be able to use them.

  • Basic Data Structures & Comments

    (5 Hours)

    Storing data ....
    Spec Link: 3.2.3.b, 3.2.3.c, 3.2.5.h

  • Modular Programming

    In this section you will learn how creating small self-contained modules or methods can help in creating efficient and maintainable programs.

    Spec Link: 3.2.1.d, 3.2.1.e, 3.2.2.f

  • Understanding Development Methods

    (5 Hours)

     
    In this topic you will learn about the process of RAD (Rapid Application Development) and be introduced to the idea of Structure Diagrams and Stepwise Refinement.
    Spec Link: 3.2.1.e, 3.2.1.j

  • Testing and Running Solutions

    (5 Hours)

    Spec Link: 3.2.6.a, 3.2.6.b, 3.2.6.c, 3.2.6.d, 3.2.6.e

  • Recursion

    (5 Hours)

    • identify and use recursion to solve problems; 
    • show an understanding of the structure of a recursive subroutine, including the necessity of a stopping condition; 
    • trace the execution of a recursive subroutine including calls to itself; 
    • discuss the relative merits of iterative and recursive solutions to the same problem. 
    Spec Link: 3.2.2.g, 3.2.2.h, 3.2.2.I

  • Topic 15

    Introduction to File I/O - 5 Hours



    Spec Link: 3.2.3.d, 3.2.3.e, 3.2.3.f, 3.2.3.g, 3.2.3.h

  • Topic 16

    Describe Debugging Tools - 5 Hours

    Spec Link: 3.2.6.f
    • FileLesson PP File
    • Revision - You should be completing Practice Questions and small Algorithm Traces and Programming Tasks

  • Introduction to Interface Design

    (5 Hours)
    including Screen Layout, Data Capture Forms etc.  Also covering data validation and formatting outputs.
    Spec Link: 3.2.1a, 3.2.1.b, 3.2.5.i, 3.2.5.j.
    • Revision - You should be completing Practice Questions and small Algorithm Traces and Programming Tasks

  • Installation Routines

    (5 Hours)

    Describe the purpose of an installation routine in the delivered version of the program.
    Spec Link: 3.2.6.g