Our S2 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 store and extract information.  Pupils will create databases using the software FileMaker Pro and extract information in a specified layout using the search and sort features.

Web site creation

This topic allows pupils to develop knowledge and an understanding of the HTML code used to create a web page.   Pupils will create web pages containing text, graphics and video, using Brackets software.  The web pages will display the information using specified formats and layouts and will contain links to all other web pages.  The need of standard file formats for text and audio files when creating web pages will also be explored.

Software Development

This topic allows pupils to develop knowledge and an understanding of the first 4 stages in a software development project.  They will be able to identify the tasks involved in these stages and put this knowledge into practise during practical tasks.  Pupils will use Livecode software to create programs containing assignments, conditional statements, fixed loops and conditional loops.  They will also

Computer Systems

This topic allows pupils to build on the concepts taught in S1, looking not only at how information is stored inside the computer and the function of the hardware attached but also at different computer networks and how they transmit data.

Security risks and precautions

This topic addresses the many issues that may arise with the increasing use of computer systems in day-to-day life.  It focuses on protecting the data held on computing devices with particular emphasis on the effect of worms, trojans and hacking and looking at how the risks to these maybe reduced with the use of anti-virus software and robust passwords.

Computers and the Law

This topic explores the Computer Misuse Act and the Copyright, Design and Patents Act.

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 S2 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 May.