Computing & ICT What is Computing & ICT?
In this course boys will work creatively to develop their computational thinking and build their Computing and ICT skills. By establishing their own games company, they will develop project management and technical skills using a project-based approach. Boys will be able to develop games using either a visual or text-based programming language for online and virtual reality gaming environments. They will learn how to use online resources to market their band the Purple spiders and will understand how to use feedback to improve their website. All our work in year 9 is open ended and so boys are able to make their final project very individual for all three topics
What skills are involved?
The course builds on the visual programming techniques used in lower years, with an emphasis on how project management is used in the Games Development process. A range of development tools are available. Boys will also learn advanced programming and marketing skills, HTML development, image manipulation and the effective presentation of documents. As boys have scope to develop games of their own choice, this course will also strengthen boys’ organisational skills and develop their ability to use IT tools creatively.
What sort of pupil does it suit and what will they get out of the course?
Boys who enjoy both problem solving; using a range of tools and independent project-based work will find this course very satisfying. Developing their own game and establishing a game company requires boys to be able to visualise an idea and then be able to decompose that idea into small achievable goals. This will allow them to showcase both their technical and creative abilities. For boys considering reading Computer Science at public examination level, this course is excellent preparation for the project-based and collaborative approach undertaken at GCSE and A Level.
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