Computing

 
Computers are now part of everyday life and, for most of us, technology is essential to our lives, at home and at work. ‘Computational thinking’ is a skill that all students must learn if they are to be ready for the workplace and able to participate effectively in the digital world. The curriculum for computing has been developed to equip young people in England with the foundational skills, knowledge and understanding of computing that they will need for the rest of their lives. They will learn how computers and computer systems work, they will design and build programs, develop their ideas using technology, and create a range of digital content.

 
There are three main strands within computing:

 
• Computer Science is the scientific and practical study of computation: what can be computed, how to compute it and how computation may be applied to the solution of problems.

 
• Information Technology is concerned with how computers and telecommunications equipment work and how they may be applied to the storage, retrieval, transmission and manipulation of data.

 
• Digital Literacy is the ability to effectively, responsibly, safely and critically navigate, evaluate and create digital artefacts using a range of digital technologies. The creation of digital artefacts will be integral to much of the learning of computing.