iLOWERSECONDARY COMPUTING YEAR 7 1

YEAR 7
PROBLEM SOLVING: ALGORITHMS AND ABSTRACTION

ALGORITHMS

Reference Objective Notes and guidance

Be able to code an algorithm in both a visual and
PS7.1A This is an overarching statement that runs through many of the other objectives.
textual language.
Be able to compare the utility of alternative There is (usually) more than one way to solve a problem. Do a web search for ‘Phil Bagge’s Jam sandwich
PS7.1B
algorithms for the same problem. Robot video’ to see one example of how this objective can be demonstrated for this Stage/Year group.

ABSTRACTION

Reference Objective Notes and guidance

Use computational abstractions that model the Modelling can include traffic light simulators, or similar. Websites such as Code.org contain examples and
PS7.2A state and behaviour of real-world problems and others can be found by carrying out a simple search.
physical systems. Pupils should be shown how the problem has been abstracted to support their understanding.

PROGRAMMING AND DEVELOPMENT

TEXTUAL CODE

Reference Objective Notes and guidance

Understand and use a textual code editor in an There are a number of freely available IDEs online. More than one IDE is available for most languages. Some
PD7.1A
Integrated Developer Environment (IDE). IDEs can be used to write code in many languages.
Know that some textual language IDEs highlight Some IDEs highlight/colour code to indicate different coding constructs (e.g. variables, loops, conditions,
PD7.1B
code. subprograms, etc.)
Know that some textual language IDEs use auto
PD7.1C Some IDEs automatically insert indentation to match selection or looping structures.
indentation.
Some IDEs automatically insert closing brackets at the end of a bracketed structure, or will visually
Know that some textual language IDEs use bracket
PD7.1D emphasise/colour the opening brackets when entering a closing bracket. This supports users who are using
matching.
nested statements (statements within other statements).
Know that some textual language IDEs use Some IDEs automatically complete variable/function/method/argument names, bracketed statements by
PD7.1E
autocomplete. adding a closing bracket after an opening bracket, etc.
iLOWERSECONDARY COMPUTING YEAR 7 2

Know that some textual language IDEs use

PD7.1F Variable tracing allows users to watch variable values as they change when the program runs.
variable tracing.
Understand and use appropriate syntax for a A number of textual languages are available. Python is freely available online and may be used for the
PD7.1G
textual language. iLowerSecondary curriculum.

ERRORS

Reference Objective Notes and guidance

Be able to locate and fix syntax errors in a Pupils could be given ‘buggy’ code and asked to find and fix the ‘bug’ (error).
PD7.2A
program. Or pupils might alter a program to create a bug (error), then pass it on to a partner to fix.
Be able to interpret an error report from a textual
PD7.2B Pupils can identify the type of error and where it is.
language IDE.

STRINGS

Reference Objective Notes and guidance

For example:
Understand and be able to convert to and from
PD7.3A str(9) converts the integer 9 to a string.
string types.
int(“9”) converts the string 9 to an integer.
For example:
Understand and use string methods: upper, lower,
PD7.3B “computer”.upper() will create the string “COMPUTER”
length.
“computer”.len() will create the integer 8 as there are eight characters in the string.
Understand and be able to output to the console
PD7.3C
(print).
PD7.3D Understand and use escape characters.
PD7.3E Understand and use string slicing.
PD7.3F Understand and use concatenation.
Understand and be able to combine numeric
PD7.3G values with string values (explicit string
conversion).

ARITHMETIC OPERATORS

Reference Objective Notes and guidance

PD7.4A Understand and use arithmetic operator symbols. Correctly use the operators to represent add, subtract, divide, multiply, modulus, integer division.
PD7.4B Understand and the order of operations. BIDMAS (Brackets, Indices, Division and Multiplication, Addition, Subtraction).
iLOWERSECONDARY COMPUTING YEAR 7 3

RELATIONAL OPERATORS

Reference Objective Notes and guidance

Correctly use the operators to represent equal to, less than, greater than, not equal to, less than or equal to,
PD7.5A Understand and use relational operator symbols.
greater than or equal to.

PROGRAMMING CONSTRUCTS

Reference Objective Notes and guidance

Know that a variable is a value that can be changed by the program, depending on conditions or information
PD7.6A Understand and use variables.
passed to the program.
Understand and use sequence, selection and
PD7.6B
iteration.

STRUCTURAL COMPONENTS

Reference Objective Notes and guidance

Examples from Python include:
Be able to write code that uses pre-existing ­(built- print() d prints the object (that goes after the brackets) to the screen (or other output device)
PD7.7A
in, library) subprograms. int() d returns an integer from a number of string (see PD7.3)
Further examples can be found by searching the internet for Python subprograms or functions.

DATA AND REPRESENTATION

BINARY

Reference Objective Notes and guidance

Understand that computers use binary to
DR7.1A represent data (numbers, text, sound, graphics)
and program instructions.
DR7.1B Understand why binary is used.
Understand that binary is a base-2 number system
DR7.1C
and denary is a base-10 number systems.
Pupils should understand that all data and instructions are represented in binary.
Processor calculations are performed by turning on and off a large number of transistors which act as
switches. These switches have only two states (they are either on or off) and a system that uses two states is
known as a binary system.
Another term for denary is decimal.
Decimal place values are 1, 10, 100, 1000, 10000 etc. (powers of 10).
Binary place values are 1, 2, 4, 8, 16 etc. (powers of 2).
iLOWERSECONDARY COMPUTING YEAR 7 4

Be able to convert between binary and denary

DR7.1D (0–255) Pupils can use any effective method.
whole numbers.
Understand how computers encode characters
DR7.1E No need to memorise ASCII character positions/ denary/ hex representation.
using ASCII and Unicode.

COMMUNICATION AND NETWORKS

CONNECTIVITY

Reference Objective Notes and guidance

CN7.1A Understand wired and wireless connectivity. Wired media includes copper cable and fibre optic. Wireless connectivity is achieved using radio waves.
Understand that data can be transmitted using
CN7.1B As distinct from each other. Common misconceptions surround the misuse of these terms.
both WiFi and the mobile phone network.
Know that some digital devices communicate
CN7.1C
using satellite broadcast (TV, radio).
Understand the benefits and drawbacks of using Benefit: higher bandwidth, lower latency, so data can be transmitted more quickly.
CN7.1D
wired connectivity rather than wireless. Drawback: devices are ‘tethered’ thereby reducing portability.
Understand that network data speeds are 1 Mbps = 1 000 000 bits per second. 1 Gbps = 1 000 000 000 bits per second.
CN7.1E
measured in bits per second (Mbps, Gbps). These are base-10 units, unlike those used for storage, which are base-2.

THE WORLD WIDE WEB

Reference Objective Notes and guidance

Understand what is meant by the World Wide As distinct from the Internet, the World Wide Web is the collection of (often linked) documents that are stored
CN7.2A
Web (WWW). on servers connected to the Internet.

THE INTERNET

Reference Objective Notes and guidance

As distinct from the World Wide Web, the Internet is the collection of computers, connected in networks that
CN7.3A Understand what is meant by ‘the Internet’. form the infrastructure for sharing information. Know the common misconception that the Internet is Wi-Fi due
to synonymous colloquial usage.
A web browser provides the user with navigation, bookmarking and the ability to display the content of
Know the role of a web browser in using the
CN7.3B documents on the WWW, as well as other services that run on the Internet, that can link with the WWW such
Internet.
as Internet Relay Chat (IRC), File Transfer Protocol (FTP), etc.
iLOWERSECONDARY COMPUTING YEAR 7 5

As distinct from a web browser, a search engine allows users to enter a search term and have returned
Know the role of a search engine in using the
CN7.3C matched results from a database of content on the World Wide Web.
Internet.
Some web browsers have a search engine feature.
Know the role of filter software in using the Contains a blacklist (banned list) and whitelist (permitted list) of words and pages that prevent users from
CN7.3D
Internet. being able to see inappropriate content. Many schools will have these in place.

INTERNET PROTOCOL (IP)

Reference Objective Notes and guidance

IP = Internet Protocol.
CN7.4A Understand IP addresses.
Networked computers are assigned individual addresses (called IP addresses) to uniquely identify them.
Understand that data can be transmitted in
CN7.4B A packet is a block of data.
packets.
Header contains source and destination IP addresses and the position of the packet in the complete
CN7.4C Describe what is held in a packet header.
message.
CN7.4D Describe what is held in a packet body. The ‘payload’ - part of the complete message
CN7.4E Describe what is held in a packet footer. Informs receiving device that is has reached the end of the packet. Can be used for error checking.

SAFE AND RESPONSIBLE PRACTICE

ONLINE SAFETY

Reference Objective Notes and guidance

Understand how to use technology respectfully Including: protecting online identity and privacy; recognising inappropriate content, contact and conduct, and
SR7.1A
and stay safe online. know how to report concerns.

ONLINE RESPONSIBILITY

Reference Objective Notes and guidance

SR7.2A Understand the legal impact of using technology. Digital piracy, copyright and plagiarism.
iLOWERSECONDARY COMPUTING YEAR 7 6

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

APPLICATION OF IT

Reference Objective Notes and guidance

IT7.1A Be able to select and use multiple applications. Word processing, Presentation (multimedia).
IT7.1B Be able to work across a range of devices. Including mobile and desktop devices.
Data can be collected from primary (e.g. photos taken by the pupil, data gathered from surveys, or sensors)
IT7.1C Be able to collect data.
and secondary sources (e.g. image searches online).
Be able to evaluate and select data and The trustworthiness of data and information can be determined by a range of factors e.g. age, relevance,
IT7.1D
information based on its trustworthiness. bias, etc.
Pupils could be given scenarios that outline the needs of users (the people who will edit and update the
IT7.1E Be able to meet the needs of known users.
product).
Pupils should engage in projects that should challenge them to create documents and presentations/
Be able to create digital artefacts for a given multimedia products (and the components that make them up) that are suitable for the needs of a given
IT7.1F
audience. audience (the people who will view the product: e.g. primary school pupils, a fundraising committee, local
businesses etc.).
Be able to reuse digital artefacts for a given Once created, pupils should be able to reuse elements/components of a product to create a whole (e.g. duplicate
IT7.1G
audience. slides in a presentation, table structures, or heading styles in a document to keep a consistent theme).
Be able to revise digital artefacts for a given Pupils should make changes to a product or its components to reflect changing information (e.g. duplicated
IT7.1H
audience. slides will include different information based upon the context of each slide).
Be able to repurpose digital artefacts for a given
IT7.1I Pupils could repurpose given products or ones they create themselves to suit a different audience.
audience.
Be able to create work that is designed to consider
IT7.1J Aesthetic and functionality.
the needs of the user.
Be able to enter, organise, develop, refine and
Each application will have a set of editing functions. Pupils should be able to apply those that are appropriate
IT7.1K format information, applying editing techniques to
to meet the needs of the user/task/brief.
meet needs.
Be able to bring together and organise different Documents and presentations could a range of different types of information: e.g. text, images, graphs, tables,
IT7.1L
types of information to achieve a purpose. numeric data, lists, sounds, video etc.
Be able to produce information that is fit for
IT7.1M Information in documents and presentations should meet the requirements of the task.
purpose and audience.
IT7.1N Use accepted layouts and house styles.
Pupils should check their work manually and also using spell and grammar check facilities. They should be
Be able to work accurately and proofread, using able to recognise and use the main features of these (e.g. automated highlighting and options for reviewing
IT7.1O
software facilities where appropriate for the task. suggested errors, including rejecting those that are suggested due to localisation settings (such as US/UK
English spellings) and homonyms).
iLOWERSECONDARY COMPUTING YEAR 7 7

SOFTWARE SKILLS

WORD PROCESSING

Reference Objective Notes and guidance

SS7.1A Understand and use page layout features. Headings, sub-headings, lists, templates, header, footer, portrait, landscape, page breaks, page numbering.
Charts, tables, images, callouts/autoshapes, text from different files, text boxes, grouping, layering (in front
SS7.1B Be able to integrate assets in a single document.
of/behind).
Understand and be able to produce different types
SS7.1C Report, newsletter, memo.
of document.

PRESENTATION

Reference Objective Notes and guidance

Insert text, images, buttons, hyperlinks to internal and external content; use animation effects, apply transition
SS7.2A Be able to create slides.
effects, embed content from third-party websites (including video).

FILE HANDLING

Reference Objective Notes and guidance

Understand and be able to use cloud-based Sharing files and folders, permissions (e.g. View/Comment/Edit), compression (zipping and unzipping),
SS7.3A
strategies. attaching to emails.