Computing
Head teacher: Ms Grace Ghossain
Fairvale High School is in the unique position of having a designated Computing faculty.
Fairvale High is committed to providing all students with the essential ICT skills they need to be well equipped and prepared for the digital world of the 21st Century. These skills are developed in different courses offered across the junior and senior year groups.
All students are also given access to the school E-Learning system which allows them to access resources and course materials any part of the day, at school and at home.
Stage 4
Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
Students in Year 7 learn about computer systems and digital citizenship. They learn how to code as well as become proficient in relevant computer skills and applications, which will help them through school and life. The program has both theoretical and practical components that will not only build their knowledge of computers but also challenge students to think of creative solutions to problems.
As part of this course, students will:
● Learn about computer hardware and software
● Build a virtual computer
● Gain important computer application skills in various proprietary applications including MS Word, Excel, Powerpoint
● Learn about Digital Citizenship
● Learn computer coding concepts through an RPG game
● Create animations and stories using computer code
Stage 5
Information and Software Technology
Students in Years 9 and 10 learn about computer systems, networks, multimedia, artificial intelligence and coding as well as become proficient in computer skills. The program has a theoretical component and a large practical component based on project work.
As part of this course students will:
● Gain knowledge and understanding of computer hardware and networks.
● Become a competent user of commercial software packages that include word processing, spreadsheets and databases.
● Create an artificial intelligence chatbot using Python coding language.
● Create code with Python to run on the BBC Micro:bit microcontroller.
● Create computer graphics, video and animations using the Adobe Suite.
● Create computer games using block coding in Scratch block coding environment.
● Design 3D environments and models using 3D modelling software.
● Write, film and edit a short film/animation using Adobe Suite.
● Develop basic websites using HTML and CSS.
Stage 6
Enterprise Computing (Previously known as'Information Processes and Technology (IPT)')
This course provides students with the opportunity to learn about information-based systems and how social, ethical and non-computer procedures resulting from the processes are considered. Students study different types of information systems through project work and create their own information systems to meet identified needs.
● The Enterprise Computing stage 6 course teaches students about information systems.
● It covers the process of collecting, organising, storing and retrieving, transmitting and receiving and displaying data as well as the technologies that support them.
● With this background students will be well placed to adapt to new technologies as they emerge.
Practical component of the course
● Students design relational databases using Microsoft Access software.
● Students create an interactive multimedia project using a collection of Adobe software packages.
● Students gain an understanding of communication systems and various protocols used in Internet communications.
Stage 6
Software Engineering(Previously known as 'Software Design and Development')
The Preliminary course introduces students to the basic concepts of computer software design and development. It does this by looking at the different ways in which software can be developed, the tools that can be used to assist in this process and by considering the interaction between software and the other components of the computer system.
The HSC course builds on the Preliminary course and involves the development and documentation of software using a variety of data structures and language facilities. Students learn to solve a number of interesting and relevant software problems including:
● Understanding the concepts and stages in the design and development of software projects.
● Understanding the social and ethical impact of computer based solutions on societies.
● Gaining knowledge of how information is represented in a computer.
● Creating computer programs in a Windows environment.
● Understanding computer based algorithms and considerable hands-on programming with the aim of producing a computer based solution package.
● Adapting to new technologies as they emerge.
Practical component of the course
The course involves the use of a range of computer languages such as Python to develop:
● Websites
● Basic Games
● Data manipulation solutions
● Programming microcontrollers such as BBC Microbit
● Programming Lego EV3 Robots using Python programming language
What can I do with this after I leave school?
On completion of this course you will have specialised programming knowledge allowing you to consider a broad spectrum of university and TAFE computing courses with a focus on computer programming, engineering and system and data science.