Computer Studies: Provincial Level – Computer Applications

Goal Statement

The goals for the Provincial Level Computing Studies are:

• to develop problem solving/critical thinking skills utilizing computer application software as a tool. Towards this end, project work will be emphasized.
• to build on computer software skills and outcomes as described by the learning outcomes of the advanced level computing studies.

Learning Outcomes

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:

Each topic will consider ethical point of views and students will complete a research activity for each topic.

1. 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
• 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 logical 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
• list examples of anti-virus and anti-malware software
• describe virus and malware risks
• set up scheduled scans
• describe the security implications of automatic updates
• identify cases where AI tools may assist in computer productivity, including AI generated citations
• identify online content where AI negatively impacts the quality of content, including errors and contradictions
• identify examples of where Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), and Mixed Reality (MR) are used and their applications in computing

2. Publishing

• organize and present a variety of text, graphic and other data following appropriate design and layout procedures
• use templates, “wizards” and/or other productivity tools
• merge documents
• integrate tables, charts, and graphics
• describe the various file formats used for text, graphics and publication files
• change file formats where possible
• create, modify, and manipulate digital graphic images (e.g. scan, draw, paint)
• retrieve files from local and online sources
• use a variety of typographic principles to improve readability and effective communication
• generate cross references, footnotes, indexes and tables of contents

3. Advanced Spreadsheets

• format cell types and describe the differences between common numerical formats such as accounting, currency, and number
• use complex formulas including functions such as VLOOKUP and IF
• use and write formulas
• create and modify charts
• create reports for multiple sheets using 3D references
• manage and analyze data using pivot tables and what-if analysis
• create macros or use a programming language to customize a spreadsheet
• design a spreadsheet to analyze, interpret, and project outcomes in an applied situation

Optional:

• use solver

4. Database Management

• describe the function of a database, and differences between databases and tables/spreadsheets
• 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
• explain various social and ethical issues involving databases

5. Networking

• state advantages and disadvantages of using networks
• describe different network configurations (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 (ethernet, twisted pair, coaxial cable, optical fiber, 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
• compare the similarities and differences between the Internet and intranets in terms of access, security, and functionality
• describe management issues, including traffic analysis and security

6. Programming*

*A Note of Caution: The Programming option must not be considered as equivalent to or as a replacement for the Computer Science course articulated at the provincial level.

This option introduces the learner to programming fundamentals. The learner will write programs in a high level language that demonstrates 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
• write programs to demonstrate mathematical processing and simple character and graphic manipulations

7. Online Technologies

• develop an online portfolio which contains projects that demonstrate 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 entry, which includes text, pictures, and hyperlinks
• add and update an entry on a wiki
• create and publish an online video
• 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, provide examples of Bluetooth devices, and set up Bluetooth devices
• correctly apply privacy settings to media published online
• describe various licenses including copyright, public domain, creative commons, and GNU

8. Web Publishing

• create web pages using both a WYSIWYG editor and an HTML editor to present text, graphics and other data using appropriate design and layout
• use fonts, font sizes, headings, justification and tables in a web page appropriately
• recognize the various file formats used for text, graphics, sound, and animation
• create, modify, and manipulate graphic images (e.g. resize, compress, crop, change format)
• locate and retrieve files (graphics, animations, sounds) from the Internet
• explain the implications of copyright copy-left (e.g. GNU GPL, Creative Commons, etc.)
• create and remove hyperlinks on text and graphics
• create internal (relative) and external (absolute) hyperlinks in a web page
• create a navigation scheme to move between web pages on a web site
• use accessibility features (e.g. alt text, choosing and structuring elements correctly, colour contrast and colourblind options)
• use meta tags (e.g. description, keywords, title)
• use JavaScript in web pages
• use Cascading Style Sheets (CSS)
• examine various monetization options for websites and examine the procedure of embedding advertisements

Optional:

• use templates, wizards, and other productivity tools in the creation of web pages
• create an image map

9. Digital Art and Graphics

• create basic digital shapes
• describe the difference between bitmap and vector images as well as the differences between common image file formats
• 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
• create and manipulate layers
• apply a variety of filter effects to a digital photograph
• adjust brightness and contrast of a digital photograph
• describe important specifications of a digital camera, including megapixels, optical zoom and digital zoom
• group and ungroup objects