Computing
Computing Year 9
Comprising of 3 periods a week in a 10 week rotation.
- Game development and programming introduction using Scratch
- Online safety and cyber-bullying
- Image creation and image processing using Pixel Art
- Introduction to basic electronic circuits using bread boards
- Basic keyboarding concepts and skills
Computing Year 10
Comprising of three periods a week and chosen as an option. Y10 Computing is based around the theme of game design and development. This theme is used to integrate a range of Digital Technology areas into our course while providing a structure for the learning.
Students begin by creating a graphic image to demonstrate their inventiveness and creativity. Students also produce a curriculum vitae. Together these are used to get the dream job at the imaginary game studio.Once at the game studio, students create templates for company documents and business cards, they create budgets and plan projects using spreadsheets, they complete online questionnaires and analyse the results.They create animated avatars of themselves for the marketing department.
They create graphical media for their games and then the game itself. With their target audience they test and refine these games.They create advertising and CD covers to market their product. They then create websites and a short video trailer to promote the game. Along the way students learn file management, typing skills, effective and efficient research skills using the internet, computer maintenance and support and how to access and use open source media content.
Once the game is completed the company is looking to expand into an electronic toy and students will learn electronics, how to solder and program Picaxe chips to make simple robot bugs as a prototype for this toy. Students also learn the python programming language and create a text based adventure game as a prototype for the company’s next release.
Year 11 Computing Applications NCEA Level 1
Based around office computing, this course of study will teach the basics required to participate in a digital society and the fundamentals of a wide range of applications. This is an entry level computing course assessed using Unit Standards at Level 1. This course is designed for students who know they will need a basic set of computing skills in the future.
Year 11 Computing Information and Media
NCEA Level 1
Based around web pages and multimedia applications, this course of study will be assessed using Level 1 NCEA Digital Technology Achievement Standards. Students are required to demonstrate competency in design principles, HTML and other webpage technologies, manipulation and production of graphic images using a computer, animation and the accessing and processing of information from a range of sources. This course offers a mix of internal and external Achievement Standard credits. Recoveries: Printing Cost Estimate: $10.00 Prerequisites: Year 10 Computing.
Year 11 Computing Technical NCEA Level 1
Based around technical computing, this course of study investigates programming and computer science, the hardware and networks that we use, as well as electronics. We solder and program a PICAXE chip, which we then use to drive motors and receive input from sensors. This course is designed for students who are interested in a career in robotics, programming and /or computer science. There is a large take home component of the electronics section and the recoveries reflect this. This course offers a mix of internal and external Achievement Standard credits. Prerequisites: Year 10 Computing.
Year 12 Computing Applications NCEA Level 2
Based around office computing, this course of study will teach the basics required to participate in a digital society and the fundamentals of a wide range of applications. Assessed using Unit Standards at Level 2, this is an entry level computing course. This course is designed for students who know they will need a basic set of computing skills in the future. Efforts will be made to achieve literacy requirements while also gaining Level 2 Computing Unit Standards. This course offers Unit Standards credits.
Year 12: Computing Information & Media
NCEA Level 2
Based around web pages and multimedia applications, this course of study will be assessed using Level 2 NCEA Digital Technology Achievement Standards. Students are required to demonstrate competency in design principles, HTML and other webpage technologies, manipulation and production of graphic images using a computer, animation, databases and accessing and processing information from different sources. This course offers a mix of internal and external Achievement Standard credits. Prerequisites: Y11 Computing Information and Media
Year 12 Computing Technical NCEA Level 2
Based around technical computing, this course of study investigates programming and computer science, the hardware and networks that we use, as well as electronics. We etch and create our own circuit boards and program the PICAXE chip, which we then use to build a robotics project. We also write software programs and look at some fundamental principles of Computer Science. There is a large take home component of the electronics section and the recoveries reflect this. This course offers a mix of internal and external Achievement Standard credits. Recoveries: $90.00 or $20 if students still have equipment from the previous year Prerequisites: Year 11 Computing Technical Printing Cost Estimate: $10.00
Year 13 Computing Applications NCEA Level 3
This course of study will further build on the skills learnt in the Y12 applications course. Based around office computing, this course of study will teach the basics required to participate in a digital society and the fundamentals of a wide range of applications. Assessed using Unit Standards at Level 3, this course is designed for students who are really interested in a career in computing but who struggle to achieve Achievement Standards. This course offers up to 18 credits from Level 3 Unit Standards. Prerequisites: 8 credits in English at Level 2. 12 credits in Computing at Level 2.
Year 13 Computing Information & Media
NCEA Level 3
This course uses the Digital Technologies Information and Media Acheivement Standard and requires students to develop an in-depth media product. PHP and MySQL are covered in depth and students will learn real world-valued webpage and design skills. This course offers a mix of internal and external Achievement Standard credits. Prerequisites: Y12 Computing Information and Media
Year 13 Computing Technical NCEA Level 3
Based around technical computing, this course is for students with a passion for or who are looking for a career in Computer Science, Electronics or Programming. Topics covered are programming and building a graphical user interface, advanced robotics and a computer science in depth report. This course offers Achievement Standard credits and qualifies students for University entrance and course endorsement. Some university computer science departments allow alternative courses for students who complete the standards offered in this course. Prerequisites: Y12 Computing Information and Media.
