Collins International Lower Secondary Computing Students Book 7

Collins International Lower Secondary Computing series is structured around six themes relating to computing and digital literacy and offers learners a comprehensive and engaging approach to learning, enhanced by real-world applications. Each chapter is organised to develop essential skills, leading learners towards the creation of a final project.

The project-based activities nurture creative skills and give learners the opportunity to make decisions and develop projects that matter to them. Stage 7 projects focus on everything from designing a flowchart for a guess the number game, to creating a method for encrypting text, giving children the tools to build key computing and ICT skills, linking the five strands of theory to the practice of computing, and showing learners how computers work.

• Collins International Lower Secondary Computing series provides in-depth coverage of the Cambridge curriculum frameworks for Lower Secondary Computing (0860) and Lower Secondary Digital Literacy (0082) as well as the UK national curriculum for Computing at secondary level.
• Each chapter enables students to develop their computing and digital literacy skills through a fun, practical and relatable project. Stage 7 helps learners to design a flowchart for a guess the number game, create a method for encrypting text, train a machine learning model to work with a game designed in Scratch, design and record a news report and Plan, test, and build a device to make their classroom accessible.
• Learners will build their understanding throughout the stage, using a rich variety of sources with an international focus to support their learning.
• With regular opportunities for discussion, group work, investigation and design, the Student’s Book and Workbook encourage active learning throughout. This includes ‘unplugged’ learning to explore concepts and foster computational thinking skills. Each chapter concludes with an opportunity for learners to build and showcase their own work, consolidating their learning through self or peer assessment and reflection.
• Clear explanations, visually engaging activities and ‘Key terms’ features are designed to support young learners, especially those with English as a second or additional language.
• The course includes the latest hardware and software information, additionally exploring Artificial Intelligence and AI images and empowers learners to navigate the online world safely by equipping them with crucial digital safety skills.
• Written by Flip Computing – Rebecca Franks, Liz Smart and Dr Tracy Gardner – an all female team of experts with a breadth of computing experience across industry, education and research, and their culturally responsive approach provides teachers with an accessible and inclusive learning experience for all ages and inspires greater participation and tech career pathways for all.
• Will prepare students for a seamless transition to Lower Secondary Computing Stage 8.

Dr Tracy Gardner is an experienced software development professional. She spent her career in industry before teaching primary school computing and specialising in computing pedagogy and computing education research. She is an advocate for social mobility and diversity in computing education.

Rebecca Franks has 20 years’ experience in computing education and is a highly successful learning designer. Rebecca has worked with national organisations to create a widely used computing curriculum for England. She is extremely passionate about making computing and tech an inclusive space for all.

Liz Smart has over 20 years of Tech Industry experience in various data-driven roles. A career switch brought a move to community management for a global network of extra-curricular clubs. She is an advocate for non-formal learning, passionate about shared voices and working together to achieve a greater goal.