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OCR (KS4)

KS3 & KS4 computing curriculum

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Computer Science
Year 11

Programming: dictionaries and data files

9 lessons

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  • Algorithms and data structures
  • Programming

Description

This unit introduces pupils to the new data structures of records and dictionaries. They will develop a Caesar cipher encryption program using a dictionary as a cipher wheel. Pupils will explore how data can be read from and written to files and how this data can be used within a program.

As pupils enter the final stage of their GCSE programming journey, they are ready to manage data in more sophisticated and structured ways. This unit introduces new methods for storing and accessing information, encouraging pupils to think critically about how data is organised and used. Through applying structured approaches to records, lists and dictionaries, they strengthen their problem-solving and analytical thinking. Reflecting on how data is stored and retrieved helps pupils consider the growing role of data in modern computing and the responsibility of those who create and manage it.

  1. Records and dictionaries
  2. Dictionary challenge
  3. Reading text files
  4. Writing to text files
  5. Reading CSV files
  6. Writing to CSV files
  7. Careers in programming
  8. Programming project - dictionaries I
  9. Programming project - dictionaries II
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