High School Block:

Computer Science 110

Computer science is a field that focuses on the study of computing and computation, including both theoretical and practical aspects. It involves designing, developing, and analyzing algorithms and data structures to solve complex problems using computers. Computer science also encompasses topics such as computer architecture, programming languages, artificial intelligence, and human-computer interaction. Learners will gain a strong foundation in coding while demonstrating operational skills, using computational thinking, incorporating teamwork, meeting challenges, solving problems, and being resilient and resourceful.

  • There is an updated online course that aligns with this curriculum. Please visit the New Brunswick Virtual Learning Centre for access to support course planning. Educators can request a blended version of this course that provides all course content, learning activities, and assessments.

CONTEXTS AND CONCEPTS

Problem Solving

  • Perseverance               
  • Resourcefulness                 
  • Computational Thinking           
  • Algorithmic Thinking            
  • Repurposed code             
  • Analytical choice            
Solution Design

  • Design Thinking          
  • Alternative points-of-view           
  • Alternative processes            
  • Abstract representation             
Collaboration

  • Team work           
  • Shared information             
  • UI/UX            
  • Career exploration          
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GRADE 11

Strand: Computational Thinking

Big Idea: Decomposition

Skill Descriptor: Identify small tasks needed to solve large complex problems.

Global Competencies: CM, CTPS, SASM

Achievement Indicators:

  • Demonstrate how a complex problem is made of smaller problems that are easier to solve
  • Combine smaller tasks which solves a larger more complex problem by iteratively refining solutions using digital tools or AI‑supported feedback

Big Idea: Pattern Recognition

Skill Descriptor: Recognize sequences which repeats.

Global Competencies: CM, CTPS, SASM

Achievement Indicators:

  • Assess a problem and identify repeatable steps using digital tools or AI‑assisted analysis to surface recurring patterns
  • Demonstrate how smaller steps can be ordered to solve a larger problem
  • Identify patterns in a data set to resolve data effectively using digital data analysis or visualization tools

Big Idea: Abstraction

Skill Descriptor: Focusing on important information.

Global Competencies: CM, CTPS, SASM

Achievement Indicators:

  • Identify any patterns that do and do not help solve a problem
  • Identify characteristics of data (patterns) that are not necessary to solve a problem using digital filtering or AI‑assisted summarization tools
  • Identify code that uses abstraction to hide detailed information by examining examples analyzed with digital or AI‑supported code tools

Big Idea: Algorithms

Skill Descriptor: Step-by-step solution to the problem.

Global Competencies: CM, CTPS, SASM

Achievement Indicators:

  • Create repeatable steps that takes input data and produces a consistent and repeatable output by testing and refining algorithms using coding environments or AI‑assisted debugging tools

Strand: Coding

Big Idea: Planning and documentation

Skill Descriptor: Creating a plan to solve the problem.

Global Competencies: CL, CTPS, ICE, SASM

Achievement Indicators:

  • Create pseudocode to represent a solution to a problem
  • Create comments clarifying code blocks with support from AI‑assisted code explanation tools while maintaining student authorship
  • Create user guide or user interface for script or program using digital design tools or AI‑supported prototyping

Big Idea: Software

Skill Descriptor: Learning syntax of coding language.

Global Competencies: CM, CTPS, SASM

Achievement Indicators:

  • Create a list of keywords for a programming language.
  • Parse one complete logical line of code in a script or code block.
  • Create a script or program to achieve identified solution to problem.

Big Idea: Data

Skill Descriptor: Representing information as a data type.

Global Competencies: CM, CTPS, ICE

Achievement Indicators:

  • Classify different data based on type representation.
  • Identify operations applicable to data type.
  • Access data from human device interface.
  • Represent data for user access.

Big Idea: Communication

Skill Descriptor: Sharing ideas about computer science.

Global Competencies: CL, CM, ICE, SASM

Achievement Indicators:

  • Discuss code using language pertinent to computer technology.
  • Explaining code to users and non-users
  • Gathering and incorporating feedback on code

Big Idea: Analysis

Skill Descriptor: Reading code to understand its purpose.

Global Competencies: CM, CM, CTPS, ICE, SASM

Achievement Indicators:

  • Discuss what a section of code instructs a device to perform with data.
  • Evaluate code critiquing potential alternatives for effectiveness, efficiency or efficacy

Strand: Digital Technologies

Big Idea: Cybersecurity

Skill Descriptor: Create plans to mitigate risks to systems through code and coding practices.

Global Competencies: SGC, CM, CTPS, ICE, SASM

Achievement Indicators:

  • Identify how code, user workstation, or coder practices could contribute to cybersecurity risks
  • Analyze the role that a coder contributes to reducing the risk of cybersecurity event

Big Idea: Careers and Culture

Skill Descriptor: Investigate how cultures are impacted by digital technologies and biases that exist within computer science related fields.

Global Competencies: CL, CM, SGC, CTPS, ICE, SASM

Achievement Indicators:

  • Identify bias that may be included in code based on the coder’s culture
  • Analyse a software package for biases in guides/text
  • Critique current trends in equity, diversity, and inclusion in computer science

Big Idea: Technology

Skill Descriptor: Analysis of hardware and software.

Global Competencies: CL, CM, SGC

Achievement Indicators:

  • Identify hardware which utilizes digital technologies
  • Identifying how and where information is exchanged in a contemporary digitized system
  • Explain to others how hardware and software are used together to solve problems
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