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Year 10
AQA

Practical applications of compression

I can select and justify a compression method for a given scenario.

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New
New
Year 10
AQA

Practical applications of compression

I can select and justify a compression method for a given scenario.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils

These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Compression is used in everyday technology such as images, audio, and video.
  2. Effective compression requires considering the balance between file size, quality, and processing speed.

Keywords

  • Scenario - a description of a real or imagined situation

  • Application - a way something is used or put into action

  • Technology - the use of tools, machines, or systems to solve problems or make tasks easier

Common misconception

Compression is only useful for saving storage space.

While saving storage is one benefit, compression is also critical for faster transmission of files over the internet, reducing bandwidth usage on networks, and enabling smooth real-time communication.


To help you plan your year 10 computer science lesson on: Practical applications of compression, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Encourage students to consider how the applications they use every day rely on data compression to operate effectively. Ask them what would happen if their favorite app didn’t use compression.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
What is an algorithm?
a type of data compression
Correct answer: a set of step-by-step instructions to perform a task
a way to delete data
a way to encrypt files
Q2.
What is a compression algorithm?
a way to increase file size
a method to delete data
Correct answer: a set of step-by-step instructions to reduce file size
a tool for encrypting files
Q3.
What does efficiency mean in compression?
Correct answer: how effectively compression reduces file size while maintaining usability
how quickly data is deleted
how large the original file is
how much data is encrypted
Q4.
What is a trade-off in compression?
the process of deleting unnecessary data
the speed of compression
the size of the compressed file
Correct answer: the limitations and choices faced when optimising multiple competing factors
Q5.
Why might a smaller file size not always be better?
Correct answer: Important details can be lost.
Compression becomes faster.
Files become easier to share.
Files become harder to open.
Q6.
What does compression speed refer to?
how small the file becomes
how much data is deleted
Correct answer: how quickly data can be compressed or decompressed
how large the compressed file is

Assessment exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
What term describes a real or imagined situation used to explain or apply a concept?
Correct Answer: scenario
Q2.
What is compression used for in everyday technology?
increasing file sizes for better quality
encrypting files for security
replacing outdated technology
Correct answer: reducing file sizes for images, audio and video
Q3.
Why is effective compression important?
It increases file size for better quality.
Correct answer: It balances file size, quality and processing speed.
It reduces the need for technology.
It makes files harder to access.
Q4.
Why is compression critical for transmitting files over the internet?
Correct answer: It reduces bandwidth usage.
It increases file size for better quality.
It encrypts files for security.
It replaces older file formats.
Q5.
Put these steps in order for selecting a compression method:
1 - Identify the scenario.
2 - Consider file size and quality needs.
3 - Evaluate processing speed.
4 - Choose the best method.
Q6.
Why is compression important beyond saving storage space?
It increases file size for better quality.
It encrypts files for security.
It replaces outdated file formats.
Correct answer: It reduces bandwidth usage and enables faster file transmission.