Topic Plan: Computing Science - Programming Project

Desired Outcome: I can select appropriate development tools to design, build, evaluate, and refine computing solutions to process and present information while making reasoned arguments to justify my decisions.

Level: Fourth Level (Scottish Curriculum)

Week 1: Introduction to Programming Project - Introduce the concept of a programming project and its importance in computing science. - Discuss the desired outcome and the skills required to achieve it. - Explore different programming languages and their suitability for the project. - Discuss the importance of selecting appropriate development tools.

Week 2: Selecting a Programming Language - Introduce various programming languages commonly used in computing science. - Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of each language. - Analyze the requirements of the programming project and select the most suitable programming language. - Justify the decision based on the project’s requirements and the desired outcome.

Week 3: Designing the Computing Solution - Introduce the concept of designing a computing solution. - Discuss the importance of planning and organizing the project. - Explore different design tools and techniques (e.g., flowcharts, pseudocode) to represent the solution. - Apply the selected design tools to create a detailed plan for the programming project.

Week 4: Building the Computing Solution - Introduce the development tools required to build the computing solution. - Discuss the importance of using appropriate tools for coding, debugging, and testing. - Explore different Integrated Development Environments (IDEs) and code editors. - Apply the selected development tools to start building the programming project.

Week 5: Evaluating and Refining the Computing Solution - Discuss the importance of evaluating and refining the computing solution. - Introduce different testing techniques (e.g., unit testing, integration testing) to ensure the solution’s functionality. - Explore debugging tools and techniques to identify and fix errors in the code. - Apply testing and debugging techniques to evaluate and refine the programming project.

Week 6: Making Reasoned Arguments - Discuss the importance of making reasoned arguments in computing science. - Explore different techniques for justifying decisions in the context of the programming project. - Analyze the decisions made throughout the project and provide reasoned arguments to justify them. - Reflect on the overall project and evaluate the success of the selected development tools and decisions made.

Assessment: - Students will be assessed based on their ability to select appropriate development tools, design, build, evaluate, and refine a computing solution for the programming project. - Assessment will include the submission of the programming project, a written reflection on the decisions made, and a presentation to justify the choices made.

Note: This topic plan is designed for Fourth Level students in the Scottish curriculum and focuses on developing skills in selecting appropriate development tools, designing, building, evaluating, and refining computing solutions, and making reasoned arguments to justify decisions. The programming project serves as a practical application of these skills.