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Learning Outcomes:
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Because of the wide and ever expanding nature of computing applications, it is both impossible and undesirable to include all outcomes in a single course. A computing studies course at the provincial level will consist of a minimum of two from the following categories:
Upon successful completion of this course students should be able to:
Current Technologies
search all facets of the web efficiently (text, images, videos) for material relevant to a specific inquiry;
analyze websites critically for value, accuracy, potential malware, and bias;
critically evaluate "crowd sourcing" sites as research tools, e.g. opinions on consumer products, travel, health issues, political issues;
identify privacy & security issues related to social networking and an online presence;
effectively communicate with email utilizing: address books, distribution lists, cc: and bcc: fields, attachments, effective subject lines, spam control;
identify email examples of phishing and other online fraudulent activity;
use folder (directory) management techniques for computer files, email, etc;
compare and contrast a variety of techniques, hardware and software that can be used to back-up computer data;
describe the importance of operating system and driver patches, and the processes by which these patches are downloaded and installed; and
describe anti-virus and anti-malware software, virus & malware risks, scheduled scans and automatic updates.
Publishing
organize and present a variety of text, graphic and other data following appropriate design and layout procedures;
demonstrate the use of templates, “wizards” and other productivity tools;
merge documents and integrate tables, charts and graphics;
identify the various file formats used for text, graphics and publication files;
demonstrate the ability to change file formats where possible;
create, modify and manipulate digital graphic images (e.g. scan, draw, paint);
retrieve a graphic/animation/sound file through using either CD-ROM or the Internet;
apply, where appropriate, correct typographic principles involving font selection, point size, justification, kerning, bullets, headers and footers; and
generate cross references, footnotes, indexes and tables of contents where appropriate.
Advanced Spreadsheets
enter, format and edit data;
use and write formulas;
create and modify charts;
create reports;
manage and analyze data;
create macros or use a programming language to customize a spreadsheet; and
design a spreadsheet to analyze, interpret and project outcomes in an applied situation.
Database Management
design and create flat file and relational databases;
maintain and modify the structure of existing databases;
correctly formulate queries;
create and edit forms;
create and edit reports; and
identify various social and ethical issues involving databases.
Networking
state advantages and disadvantages of using networks;
describe different network configurations (printer network, LAN, WAN, etc.);
describe and diagram different network topologies (point-to-point, star, bus, etc.);
describe the advantages and disadvantages of different network data transmission media (twisted pair, coaxial cable, optical fibre, and wireless);
list and describe common network operating systems and network protocols;
describe various server models, including file servers and client/server systems;
list Internet/intranet similarities and differences; and
describe management issues, including traffic analysis and security
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Graphics
acquire images using a scanner;
operate a digital camera and/or camcorder;
describe important specifications of a digital camera, including megapixels, optical zoom and digital zoom;
transfer digital pictures to a computer;
demonstrate understanding of the resolution of a digital image;
demonstrate understanding of aspect ratio;
identify various graphic file formats and perform conversions from one type to another;
crop a digital picture;
resize a digital image;
rotate a digital image;
convert a colour to a grey scale image;
adjust brightness and contrast of a digital photograph; and
apply a variety of filter effects to a digital photograph.
Online Technologies
develop an online electronic portfolio which contains projects that demonstrate the learner’s proficiency with computer software;
describe the concept of cloud computing, and utilize cloud-based applications such as: word processing, spreadsheets, online collaboration, photo-editing, online storage;
utilize electronic means for time and calendar management, task (to do) lists, user ID management, notes and bookmark (favourite) synchronization;
create and publish a blog, which includes text, pictures, and hyperlinks;
add and update an entry on a wiki;
create and publish an online video (podcast);
describe software that can be used to remotely access another computer;
describe the process for setting up a home wireless network, configuring encryption, and having computers connect to the network. Connect to wireless networks in other locations;
describe the benefits of Bluetooth technology, examples of Bluetooth devices, and Bluetooth setup procedures; and
compare and contrast various mobile computing technologies.
Web Publishing
create web pages to present text, graphics and other data using appropriate design and layout;
appropriately use fonts, font sizes, headings, justification and tables in a web page;
use both a WYSIWYG editor and an HTML editor in the creation of web pages (as appropriate);
recognize the various file formats used for text, graphics, sound and animation;
create, modify and manipulate graphic images (e.g. re-size, compress, crop, change format);
locate and retrieve files (graphics, animations, sounds) from the Internet;
demonstrate an understanding of the implications of copyright & copyleft (e.g. GNU GPL, Creative Commons, etc.) with respect to the re-use of resources on the Internet;
create hyperlinks on text;
create hyperlinks on graphics;
create internal (relative) and external (absolute) hyperlinks in a web page;
create a navigation scheme to move between web pages on a website;
utilize accessibility features (e.g. alt text); and,
employ meta tags (e.g. description, keywords, title).
Optional:
use JavaScript in web pages;
employ Cascading Style Sheets (CSS);
use templates, “wizards” and other productivity tools in the creation of web pages; and
create an image map.
Digital Art and Graphics
create basic digital shapes;
describe the difference between bitmap and vector images;
select, move and align objects;
transform objects, including rotation, scaling and reflecting;
create and format graphic text;
position text on a path;
create colours and gradients;
apply colours and gradients to text and other digital objects;
draw straight and curved lines;
trace a scanned object or digital photograph; and
create and manipulate layers.
Presentation Software
create, manipulate and deliver a presentation
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Graphics Applications
create and manipulate a graphic image (e.g. Paintbrush, Draw); and
differentiate between various bit-mapped and vector- based graphic file formats (e.g. BMP, JPG and WMG).
Programming
This option introduces the learner to programming fundamentals. The learner will write programs in a high level language that demonstrate output only and input-process- output operations. While the emphasis of the Computer Science course is software engineering, this option focuses primarily on the elements of programming.
test, debug and modify program code;
define data types and assign meaningful identifiers to constants and variables;
use input statements to access the keyboard and use output statements to display text and graphics;
use conditional expressions to alter program flow;
use iteration structures to create loops;
write simple procedures; and
write programs to demonstrate mathematical processing and simple character and graphic manipulations.
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