Computing

Value of Computing

The rapid advancement of technology and the growing capabilities of Artificial Intelligence will continue to change the way we learn, work and play. Organisations must embrace digital transformation to remain relevant, while individuals need to develop the knowledge and skills to participate confidently in an increasingly digital world.

Computing provides students with opportunities to explore the field and understand the technology around them. Through Computing, students develop computational thinking, problem-solving skills and digital competencies. They learn to understand computational problems, create and evaluate digital and computational artefacts, and communicate and collaborate with others.

Students also learn about the ethical, legal, security and societal issues associated with the use of computers and emerging technologies. The knowledge, skills and dispositions developed through Computing are relevant both to further studies in computing and to other fields in which technology is used.

Vision of the KRSS Computing Department

Kent Ridgeans who are self-directed computational thinkers and competent and ethical computer users.

The KRSS Computing Department develops students’ understanding of computing and their ability to apply computational thinking to solve problems. Through an engaging and appropriately challenging curriculum, students acquire knowledge and skills in areas such as computer systems, digital media, data analysis, networks and programming.

Students learn to analyse problems, design solutions, create and evaluate digital and computational artefacts, and communicate their ideas. They also develop an awareness of the responsible and ethical use of technology.

Learning Experiences

Learning Through Doing
Students learn Computing through hands-on activities in which they design, create, test and improve digital and computational artefacts.

In G1 Computing, students develop practical skills in document processing, graphics design, multimedia presentations, video creation and spreadsheets. They learn about computer systems, networking and cloud computing, and use visual programming to create programs and games.

In G3 Computing, students deepen their understanding of computer systems, data representation, networks and the impact of computing. They design algorithms, develop programs using Python, process and analyse data using spreadsheets, and undertake a programming project. Students also use Google Colab to write, test and share Python code, including when working collaboratively on selected programming tasks.

Across both subjects, students apply their knowledge and skills through practical tasks. They learn to plan their work, test whether their solutions function as intended, identify and correct errors, and improve their digital and computational artefacts.

Problem-Driven Approach
Students are presented with design tasks and computational problems that require them to apply their computing knowledge and skills.

They learn to identify relevant information, break problems into smaller and more manageable parts, recognise similarities between problems, focus on essential details and develop a sequence of steps to reach a solution. These processes develop the four components of computational thinking: abstraction, decomposition, generalisation and algorithmic thinking.

G1 students apply these skills when creating digital media, processing and analysing data with spreadsheets, designing webpages, and developing programs and games through visual programming. G3 students apply them through algorithm design, Python programming, spreadsheet-based data analysis and programming projects. Students also test and evaluate their solutions, debug programs and make improvements where necessary. Through this process, they develop perseverance and greater accuracy in their work.

Responsible and Ethical Use of Computing
Students learn about the impact of computing and emerging technologies, including Artificial Intelligence, on people and society.

In G1 Computing, students learn about cybersecurity risks such as scams and malware, as well as the responsible use of computers in relation to copyright and privacy. In G3 Computing, students further examine areas such as intellectual property, online falsehoods, network security, privacy and emerging technologies.

Through these areas of study, students develop awareness of the responsibilities involved in using and creating digital and computational artefacts. They learn to consider security, privacy, accuracy and ethical use when making decisions involving technology.