Brighter Thinking
A Level Computer Science What you need to know
A Level Computer Science. What you need
Our table below details the key changes for the new A Level Computer Science curriculum for first teach
Exam structure
Key curriculum changes
Implications for Computer Science teachers
• F ully linear course - exams will only take place at the end of two years of study.
• T racking students’ progression may be more difficult.
• R eduction of the ICT component of the curriculum.
• Many teachers are qualified in ICT and not Computer Science which may raise new challenges.
Content changes
• I ncreased focus on algorithms, computational thinking and programming skills.
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• T eaching style may need to be altered. Instead of teaching in distinct sections for modules, there will be a cumulative build up to the final exams.
• W ith the reformed Computer Science GCSE a year behind the A Level, there is potential for a wide range of abilities in one classroom, from a high level of expertise to complete beginners. • P rogramming may be an unfamiliar topic to many teachers and students.
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to know.
hing from 2015 and how our resources will support the teaching and learning of this new qualification.
Our solutions • O ur content offers a wide variety of practice problems and interactive questions to help with exam preparation.
4Teachers’ resources • P rovide teachers with easy-to-follow, practical teaching aids to use or adapt, including support for those new to the subject. • T he Teaching Programming resource is designed to help teachers prepare students for the coursework element of the specification.
4Free online support available now • Our Cambridge GCSE Computing Online Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) and Practise and Prepare GCSE Computing website both offer a cost-effective suite of resources to help bridge students’ knowledge in preparation for the demands of A Level (www.cambridgegcsecomputing.org) (www.cambridge.org/gcse-computing).
4Support for new skills • Content that will support teachers in delivering, and students in developing the new skills of computational thinking and algorithms. • Detailed, structured and differentiated support for teaching programming skills - helping teachers to support learners at different levels of ability and experience, and reducing their preparatory workload.
4Student Book • A Level Computer Science Elevate-enhanced Student Book includes features such as screen capture examples of programming concepts, to help students with the programming aspect of the course.
4Teachers’ Resources • Provide teachers with an easy-to-follow practical teaching course to use or adapt, including support for those new to the subject. • Our Teaching Programming Teacher’s Resource features a series of programming problems and lesson notes for use in class.
We listen. We think. We act. At Cambridge University Press, we are driven by a simple goal: to create the resources teachers and students need to ignite a curiosity and love for learning. As England enters a new educational chapter, we are publishing a comprehensive digital suite of resources matched specifically to the new Key Stage 5 curriculum in Computer Science. Created by an author team of practising teachers, 3rd party partners and advisors, our bespoke content supports the navigation and delivery of the new curriculum. Video tutorials and interviews help to put Computer Science into context for students, while dedicated resources for teaching programming will support teachers in the transition from ICT to Computer Science.
All resources will be available through our online subscription service, Elevate. A Level Computer Science Elevate-enhanced Edition
A Level Computer Science Teaching Programming
An enhanced online learning resource that includes quiz banks, video tutorials and additional stretch and support material. Students will be able to customise content and test their knowledge and understanding.
A structured set of programming projects for use in the classroom providing a lesson-by-lesson plan for teaching different programming techniques, using engaging and relevant scenarios.
A Level Computer Science Elevate Teacher’s Resource Everything necessary for teachers to plan and deliver the subject specification. Our digital Teacher’s Resource specifically maps content to assessment objectives and specifications, and includes additional stretch and challenge lable Avai EE R F opportunities.
Starting with simple problems and building up to more complex projects, this resource is designed to help teachers and students build up and practise the computing and computational thinking skills required at A Level.
Register your details for regular updates and more information: www.cambridge.org/ukschools E: ukschools@cambridge.org T: 01223 325 588
Our Computer Science resources will focus on:
4 Principles of Computer
Science Data representation Software Hardware
Algorithms
Legal and ethical issues
4 Computational thinking, programming and problem-solving skills
4 Independent learning 4 Relevance and applications of Computer Science