SMSC Computing

 

Social

As part of the Computing curriculum students are taught to think and produce work that reflects the needs of diverse audiences within our community and the wider community

As students develop their skills in a range software they are challenged to work in groups to find solutions whilst developing respect for the ideas and opinions of others in their team; This is particularly prevalent in the design phase of the task.

Pupils may use paired programming to assist in the development of programming skills and to communicate ideas to each other in a respectful and supportive manner

 

Moral

Through real life case studies, students consider issues surrounding the misuse and access rights to personal data. The use of case studies in Computing encourages students to draw conclusions through evidence rather than their preconceptions whilst allow the students the time to reflect on the origins of their own personal perceptions of a topic.

Pupils consider the effects of social networking and the consequences of cyber bullying, they also consider the legal aspects of Computing including the Data Protection Act (GDPR), Computer Misuse Act and Copyright legislation. They consider the implications of file sharing and downloading illegally and the penalties for engaging in this type of activity. Pupils also consider the moral aspects of developments in technology including the use of CCTV camera, Speed Cameras and Loyalty Cards.

In Computer Science pupils will learn about the threats to data and the need for cybersecurity, they will also consider  social engineering and the use of malware discussing the effects of these threats on society as a whole

Spiritual

Students are continually reflecting on their own lives and the lives of others as they look at various case studies.   Students debate and formulate their own set of values and beliefs through case studies and as they share their own experiences. 

Computing provides opportunities for reflection of awe and wonder about the achievements in Computing today and the possibilities for the future.

Computing lets students have the opportunity to reflect on how computers can sometimes perform better in certain activities than people.

To promote students’ spiritual development, their sense of self and their will to achieve, the Computing department continually takes the opportunity to praise students for their contribution in lessons.

Cultural

Computational thinking encourages students to develop and explore their problem solving skills. Computing Empowers students to apply their Computing skills and to gain knowledge of how programming links between subjects for instance maths.

Computing involves the breaking through of linguistic and cultural barriers. It is possible to e-mail or chat across the world and to word process in the mother tongue.

Whilst studying various aspects of Computing students are asked to reflect on how different cultures are portrayed on the internet and why or who is portraying them in this way. Students are also challenged to think about how differing cultures access and use the internet and what implications this has on the individual and the culture.