Teacher Pack: Unit 3.2 Programming 8525 (from 2020)
The resources within this Teacher Pack cover all aspects of the specification in relation to AQA GCSE Computer Science 8525 (from 2020) component 3.2. Python is used as the programming language in this unit.
It includes:
· Teaching PowerPoints (including checkpoint questions and answers) -188 Slides
· Student PowerPoints (Includes checkpoint questions, but omits the answers)
· Homework/Classwork Activities (+ mark schemes)
o Selection
o Iteration
o Arrays (Lists)
o Functions
o Improving Programs
o Testing
· End of unit tests (+ mark schemes)
Content Covered:
Understand the concept of a data type.
Understand and use the following appropriately:
• integer
• real
• Boolean
• character
• string.
Use, understand and know how the following
statement types can be combined in programs:
• variable declaration
• constant declaration
• assignment
• iteration
• selection
• subroutine (procedure/function).
Use definite (count controlled) and indefinite (condition controlled) iteration, including indefinite iteration with the condition(s) at the start or the end of the iterative structure.
Use nested selection and nested iteration structures.
Use meaningful identifier names and know why it is important to use them.
Be familiar with and be able to use:
• addition
• subtraction
• multiplication
• real division
• integer division, including remainders.
Be familiar with and be able to use:
• equal to
• not equal to
• less than
• greater than
• less than or equal to
• greater than or equal to.
Be familiar with and be able to use:
• NOT
• AND
• OR
Understand the concept of data structures.
Use arrays (or equivalent) in the design of solutions to simple problems.
Use records (or equivalent) in the design of solutions to simple problems.
Be able to obtain user input from the keyboard.
Be able to output data and information from a program to the computer display.
Understand and be able to use:
• Length
• Position
• Sub-string
• Concatenation
• convert character to character code
• convert character code to character
• string conversion operations.
Be able to use random number generation.
Understand the concept of subroutines.
Explain the advantages of using subroutines in programs.
Describe the use of parameters to pass data within programs.
Use subroutines that return values to the calling routine.
Know that subroutines may declare their own variables, called local variables, and that local
variables usually:
• only exist while the subroutine is executing
• are only accessible within the subroutine.
Use local variables and explain why it is good practice to do so.
Describe the structured approach to programming.
Explain the advantages of the structured approach.
Be able to write simple data validation routines.
Be able to write simple authentication routines.
Understand what is meant by testing in the context of algorithms and programs.
Be able to correct errors within algorithms and programs.
Understand what test data is and describe the following types of test data:
• normal (typical)
• boundary (extreme)
• erroneous data.
Be able to select and justify the choice of suitable test data for a given problem.
Understand that there are different types of error:
• syntax error
• logic error.
Be able to identify and categorise errors within algorithms and programs.
