CAS recommends this product because it meets the aims of supporting the teaching of computer science within computing to Key Stage 3 pupils. This book supports good practice in teaching the computing curriculum which will help develop computational thinking. It describes good pedagogical strategies and offers progression throughout.

CAS is a grass roots organisation, whose energy, creativity, and leadership comes from its members. We are a collaborative partner with the BCS through the BCS Academy of Computing, and have formal support from other industry partners. Membership is open to everyone, and is very broad, including teachers, parents, governors, exam boards, industry, professional societies, and universities. We speak for the discipline of computing at school level (including FE), and not for any particular interest group. The CAS community has been instrumental in the development of the new curriculum and are 100% committed to supporting all teachers as they engage with computing, and in particular computer science. It contributes to the national debates and consultation regarding the curriculum, assessment, specifications and resources for teaching and learning. It has the aim of promoting and supporting excellence in computer science education.

Further teaching resources are available through the CAS community at: http://community.computingatschool.org.uk

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© Apps for Good, Mark Clarkson, Mark Dorling, Caroline Ghali, Graham Hastings, Pete Marshman, Jason Pitt, Bob Reeves, George Rouse, Torsten Stauch, Carl Turland, Abigail Woodman Limited 2014.

First published in 2014 by

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A catalogue record for this title is available from the British Library.

ISBN 978 1 471 801815
eISBN 978 1 471 801839

Introduction

Computing drives innovation in the sciences, in engineering, business, entertainment and education. It touches every aspect of our lives, from the cars we drive to the movies we watch and the way in which businesses and governments communicate with and hear from us.

An understanding of Computer Science is essential if you want to keep up with changing technology and take advantage of the opportunities it offers in your life – whether it’s as a career or a way of problem solving, or as a way of providing you with a greater appreciation of the way things work.

Computing is a relatively modern area of study but its roots go back to ancient times when our ancestors created calculating devices – long before modern-day calculators came into being. As you’ll see, Computer Science also has a rich history of innovation and design.

While it is almost impossible to accurately predict what technological developments will happen next, there are underlying Computer Science concepts and principles that lead to future developments. These can be recognised and applied by people who work in computing.

Computational Thinking is one of these processes and it underpins all the learning in this Student’s Book. This should provide you with an approach to problem solving that you will be able to use in relation to a wide range of computer-related and non-computer-related situations. By studying Computer Science you will develop valuable skills that will enable you to solve deep, multi-layered problems.

Throughout this Student’s Book we have described the processes that led to the development of major ideas and systems. This will give you a much better understanding of how computing has come to be as it is today. We look at the development of computing through time, from ancient calculating devices to modern technology, highlighting how each breakthrough or development has contributed to modern Computer Science. We look at the elements that make much of the technology we all take for granted today actually work, and we look at how you can apply this knowledge and these skills to computing challenges.

Each unit in the Student’s Book centres around a challenge and, in order to gain the knowledge and skills you require to complete each challenge, you will come across three different types of activity:

•  Think-IT: These are thinking and discussion activities to get you thinking about ideas and concepts.

•  Plan-IT: These are planning exercises that set the scene for the practical activities.

•  Compute-IT: These are the practical computing or ‘doing’ activities that will allow you to apply the skills and knowledge that you have developed within the unit.

We hope that you enjoy the challenges we have set you and your study of computing.

Mark Dorling and George Rouse