Our S1 course follows the Experiences and Outcomes outlined in A Curriculum for Excellence – Technologies Curriculum Area.

Computers play an important part in today’s society.  The course aims to develop skills and confidence in the use of computers and broaden the pupil’s understanding of the wide range of applications available.

The course is divided into 4 main units, each unit containing a number of different topics.

The topics are:

Databases

This topic allows pupils to develop knowledge and an understanding of how a database can be used to store information.  Pupils will create databases using the software FileMaker Pro and display the information using specified formats and layouts.

Web site creation

This topic allows pupils to develop knowledge and an understanding of the components needed to create a web page.   Pupils will create web pages containing text, graphics and video, using iWeb software.  The web pages will display the information using specified formats and layouts and will contain links to all other web pages.

Software Development

This topic allows pupils to develop knowledge and an understanding of the programming concepts needed to create simple animations and interactive programs.  Pupils will create assigned animations and interactive programs using Scratch software.  Using these skills they will then create their own animations and interactive programs.

Computer Systems

This topic allows pupils to further their knowledge of how computers work by looking at how information is stored inside the computer and the function of the hardware attached.

Internet Safety

This topic addresses the many issues that may arise with the increasing use of computer systems in day-to-day life.  It focuses on staying safe if using social networking sites, cyberbulling, security risks such as phishing and identity theft and also at copyright law with respect to downloading images and music from the internet.

Searching on the Internet

This topic explores an efficient method of searching on the internet to increase the probability of finding the desired information quickly.

Teacher-led discussion, cooperative group work and formative assessment strategies are used to give pupils the opportunity to demonstrate and improve their knowledge, practical skills and skills for learning, life and work.

Pupils undertake an online test at the end of each unit.

Unit 1 – week before the October break

Unit 2 – week before the Christmas holiday

Unit 3 – week before the Easter holiday

There will also be a final S1 course online test in May

Practical work will be assessed throughout the year by the class teacher and by their peers.

The online tests and practical project results form the basis for the comments in the pupil report issued to parents in June.