Course Overview

This is the first semester of a two-semester study of Computer Science for middle-school students. The students will learn basic principles of computing and skills that help them be successful in the digital world. Students will learn basic skills such as using software that create documents and store data. They explore computer science careers. Students investigate computing devices, software, and the components of networks. They learn troubleshooting techniques to help them when problems arise. Each unit includes a project, giving the student the opportunity to work with others, apply concepts and explore individual interests.

  • Unit 1: Learn basic skills and investigate a wide array of software used to create documents, store data, create publications, as well as explore careers that use and create the software.
  • Unit 2: Describe a variety of hardware and software, how to select them, and how programs work that control them.
  • Unit 3: Investigate a variety of devices and concepts—sensors, probes, artificial intelligence—and how they enhance everyday life.
  • Unit 4: Describe common computing problems with devices, software, webpages, and more, and strategies to solve them.
  • Unit 5: Investigate networks, data transmission, the internet, and how they both cause and solve problems.
  • Unit 6: Explore cybersecurity threats and methods of protecting digital information and hardware.
 
 
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Curriculum Content and Skills Focus

Unit 1: Basic Skills

  • Identify how computer science can be used to solve problems in students’ daily lives.
  • Describe the components of a computer.
  • Use keyboarding techniques to create a document.
  • Describe how to create and edit documents and spreadsheets.
  • Describe how to use database and digital publication software.
  • Describe how to use email software.
  • Describe the five disciplines of computing.
  • Use the skills learned in the unit to investigate a computer science career.

Unit 2: Hardware and Software

  • Discuss how computers transmit data in 1s and 0s.
  • Describe the relationship between software and hardware.
  • Describe the main functions of an operating system.
  • Describe the parts of a computer program.
  • Describe how to select software based on the application, licensing, and support.
  • Plan the purchase and care of a computer system for yourself or a member of your family.

Unit 3: Devices

  • Describe how sensors can be used to collect data.
  • Identify what distinguishes human thinking from artificial intelligence.
  • Describe common file storage media.
  • Describe the design process.
  • Describe how to evaluate devices.
  • Design a project that uses a probe.

Unit 4: Troubleshooting

  • Describe simple strategies to resolve simple hardware and software problems.
  • Describe updates and their benefits.
  • Describe common problems with printers.
  • Describe problems with web page malfunctions.
  • Describe resources for troubleshooting such as user manuals, online searches, and technology support services.
  • Play the role of a computer support technician at a company’s support phone center.

Unit 5: Networks and the Internet

  • Describe a computer network.
  • Describe the role of data protocols.
  • Describe why the speed of data transmission varies.
  • Describe how the internet can be used to solve problems.
  • Describe problems caused by the internet.
  • Model hardware components to diagram the infrastructure of networks and the internet.

Unit 6: Cybersecurity

  • Identify ways to protect private information.
  • Describe types of cyber attacks.
  • Describe methods of protecting digital information with software.
  • Describe methods of protecting digital information with hardware.
  • Describe how to verify the reliability of online information.
  • Write a report of recent cybercrime, describing its societal and ethical impact, documenting your sources, and propose ways to defend against the crime.
 
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Additional Resources

In addition to the default course content, some projects may require paper and pencil or drawing supplies to complete the assignment. Writing assignments may require a graphic organizer to be printed out and used in the writing process. Projects (such as informational essays) may require students to acquire outside resources for research or reading. Project gives the students options for how to submit the project. For instance, a project that needs a drawing allows the student the option of hand-drawing the picture and taking a picture of it or scanning it. The student might choose to use a drawing application to create the drawing. A student could also use a word processing application, presentation software, or desktop publishing software to create an illustration. Diligent efforts were made to give the student avenues to express their creativity in the way they present a project.

The projects require specific materials that are not included in this course and must be acquired separately:

Unit Assignment Resource(s)
1 Project: Are Your Keys Ready
  • Students use an online typing game or tutorial
1 Project: Investigate a Computing Career
  • Students have a choice of using presentation software or making a video with an assortment of tools (phone, webcam, free online apps)
2 Project: Plan a Computer System Purchase
  • Students have a choice of using word processing software, presentation software, or creating an infographic, poster, or video.
3 Project; Design a Probe
  • Students have a choice of using word processing software, presentation software, or creating a video.
4 Project: Be a Troubleshooter
  • Students have a choice of using word processing software or video software
5 Project: Be the Architect of Your Own Network
  • Students submit an explanation and a diagram. The explanation can present their project in any of the following ways: word processing software, presentation software, or a video. The diagram can be hand-drawn or created with any digital software the students have available such as a drawing application or copying and pasting symbols from the lesson into a presentation slide.
6 Project: Research Cybercrime
  • Word processing software
 
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