Watch this presentation to answer many of your questions
Why is studying computing science useful - or exciting?
Because computing science underpins the accelerating advances in:
Artificial Intelligence, with
- cars that can understand their surrounding and react appropriately
- 'intelligent' houses and 'intelligent' refrigerators talking directly to suppliers of utilities and food
- the 'internet of things' recording and transmitting personal and interpersonal data
Cyber security is becoming more and more and important: hackers are the new cyber criminals and we need people who can out think them!
Quantum computers will revolutionise computing as much as micro chips in the 1980s.
Studying GCSE computing will helps you begin to understand the tidal wave of change happening in the world and allows you to take part in the conversation about our future.
Why should girls - as well as boys - study computer science?
The Careers Department are very keen to point out that AI, cybersecurity and software are growth areas and London is an innovation hotspot.
Women are currently NOT well represented and employers are keen to see more women in this field. Girls CAN (and should) code.
GCSE Computing
Why study GCSE Computing ? (Here the OCR exam board answers that question - Page 1 & 2 ONLY)
How will I be assessed ?
(Two written exams and a Computer programming project - in class)
What do exam papers look like?
How do I know if I would be good at Computer Science?
That is a difficult question to answer, but there are some indicators that you could consider to help you come to a decision.
These are:
- do you like problem solving?
- do you like solving problems in mathematics? This doesn't necessarily mean that you expect to get a 9 at GCSE. To take A Level Mathematics at A Level you need a 7 in your GCSE exam.
- have you been on a Coding course?
- have you done or do you like projects involving the use of the BBC Microbit, Raspberry Pi or Arduino?
- have you ever wondered how a computer works or are you interested in finding out (Thank you BBC!)?
- Did you come to Microbit Club or Coding Club in F3 or L4 and did you enjoy working on those short projects?
- choosing GCSE Computing just because you like playing Computer Games is not a good reason to study the subject at GCSE. However, if you would like to begin Coding your own games and solutions to problems and learning how that is done, then that is a better reason.