Tawa College Tawa College

10 Computer Science and Information

10CSI
Course Description

Teacher in Charge: Ms C. Stevens.

Recommended Prior Learning

This course is open entry to new students, however it is an academic course and students should preferably have studied 10CSI or 10DIT.

Computer Science and Information 10CSI 

Computer Science includes computational thinking (An analytical style including algorithmic techniques to analyze and plan solutions to problems). Computer architecture and human-computer interaction (hardware, its control and control layouts). Programming languages (Python). Databases and information systems, networks and the understanding and application of social and professional issues relevant to each project (Relevant implications).

2026 Year 10 Course

Students will cover and extend their understanding of:

  • Computational Thinking - understanding of problem solving techniques. Using Algorithms and Flowcharts to create a plan for a Program.
  • Agile development - the processes and collaborative learning needed to develop projects.
  • Python - Programming using embedded PEP conventions, loops and complex decisions.
  • Robotics and Artificial Intelligence - Building and controlling robots to solve a problem and exploring aspects of Artificial Intelligence. 
  • Computer hardware - History of Computing, Components of PCs, Networking and control systems, data transfer and storage. 
  • Database - Creating and manage data using a MySQL Database hosted on projectspace.nz.
  • Web - How to use html and css (web) to develop a web site using a grid system, then using this to present results of their database build and data analyses. 

10CSI students will be using phpMyAdmin, Projectspace, Python IDLE and Adobe Photoshop. If students wish to learn other software packages/programming including Microsoft Access, Adobe Illustrator, InDesign, JavaScript, Tinkercad and Blender they can also choose Digital Information Technology (10DIT). Both courses can be taken at Year 10 and are complementary.

Assessments                                                                                                                         

Topic skills and knowledge are in line with the Digital Technologies Progress Outcomes. Students will be assessed on their ability to be working towards Designing and Developing Digital Outcomes and Computational Thinking. Pre-assessment will be carried out to establish existing student skill and knowledge levels. Self-assessment and peer assessment will be encouraged. The Tawa College Language of Learning will be used for both student self-assessment and end of topic grading; Beginning, Emerging, Developing, Proficient and Advanced.

10CSI scaffolds students so at Year 11 they can select:

  • Computer Science and Information 101 which continues to build on Computer Science skills (Computational thinking).
  • Design Information Technology 101 which continues to build on Digital Media skills (Designing and Developing Digital Media Outcomes).

Course Overview

Term 1
FLOWCHART ALGORITHMS/PYTHON PROGRAMMING
SCAFFOLDING: This scaffolds year 10 students who wish to continue Computer Science into senior school and engage with the computer programming learning/assessments AS1.1 (92004) through to AS3.7 (91906).

OVERVIEW: Students will be using Python as their programming language.

Term 2
Create a Computer Program Assessment.

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI), ROBOTICS AND AGILE DEVELOPMENT
SCAFFOLDING: This scaffolds year 10 students who wish to continue Computer Science into Senior School and engage with the Computer Science Concepts learning/external assessments AS2.9 (91898) and AS3.9 (91908)

OVERVIEW: Students will build and program a robots that needs to perform a specific task and interact with other robots to developed by other students to complete a combined series of coordinated tasks

BINARY
SCAFFOLDING: This scaffolds year 10 students who wish to continue Computer Science into senior school and engage with the Computer Science Concepts learning/external assessments AS2.9 (91898) and AS3.9 (91908).

Term 3
HARDWARE

OVERVIEW: Students will be investigating Computer History (where computers came from), PC components with a focus on their inter connectivity and data transfer rates, Operating systems and various applications and data storage storage.

HCI (HUMAN COMPUTER INTERACTION).
SCAFFOLDING: This scaffolds year 10 students who wish to continue Computer Science into Year 11 and engage in the HCI learning for User Interface Design.

DATABASES/MySQL
SCAFFOLDING: This scaffolds year 10 students who wish to continue Computer Science into senior school and engage with the Database learning/assessments AS2.3 (91892) through to AS3.3 (91902).

OVERVIEW: Students will be using MySQL/projectspace.nz to develop and query their database and html/css (Web) to output their report.

Term 4
DATABASES/MySQL
SCAFFOLDING: This scaffolds year 10 students who wish to continue Computer Science into senior school and engage with the Database learning/assessments AS2.3 (91892) through to AS3.3 (91902).

OVERVIEW: Students will be using MySQL/projectspace.nz to develop and query their database and html/css (Web) to output their report.

Learning Areas:

Digital Technologies


Pathway

Level 1 Computer Science Information 101, Level 1 Design Information Technologies 101

Career Pathways

Test Analyst, Network Administrator, Security Analyst, Penetration Tester, Data Analyst, Information Technology Helpdesk/Support Technician, Information Technology Manager, Data Entry Operator/Transcriptionist, Systems Administrator, Business Analyst, Software Developer, Electronics Engineer, Game Developer, Biomedical Engineer



			
					
					Contributions and Equipment/Stationery
										
A4 Exercise Book 8mm ruled lines. For learning the Computer Languages.

A set of headphones (ear plugs). 

Have credit on their Papercut account for printing of some assessments.