Data protection, copyright and the law
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can describe key UK computer laws and explain how they protect data, creative work and software use.
Key learning points
- Databases are designed to store large volumes of data.
- This data could hold sensitive and personal information about individuals and needs to be protected.
- In the UK there are a number of laws which protect data, including GDPR and The Data Protection Act.
- Software can be categorised as open source or proprietary.
Keywords
Patent - a legal right that gives an inventor the exclusive right to make, use or sell their invention for a certain number of years
Open source - software for which the program source code is made available to the general public
Proprietary - software that is owned by a company or person. You are not allowed to change, copy or share it without permission. Sometimes called closed source software
Common misconception
Proprietary software always costs money.
Proprietary software is usually sold to end users, although sometimes it is available for free.
Teacher tip
This lesson introdces examples of open source database management systems, but you may wish to discuss wider examples of open source software and its uses with pupils.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
5 Questions
Q1.What is personal data?
Q2.Which of these is an example of creative work?
Q3.What is the main purpose of a password?
Q4.What is the term for a programme that tells a computer what to do?
Q5.Match each term to its correct description:
facts or information stored and used by a computer
the ability to do something or have certain permissions
the person or group who controls something
an organised collection of information
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is the main purpose of a database?
Q2.What type of information may a database contain?
Q3.Which statement about proprietary software is correct?
Q4.What term describes software that allows anyone to view and modify its code?
Q5.What is the term for a legal right that gives inventors exclusive control over their inventions?
Q6.Match each law or licence to its correct description:
sets rules for collecting and using personal data in the UK
European regulation protecting individuals’ personal data
UK law protecting original creative work and inventions
allows creators to give permission for others to use their work
To help you plan your 11 computer science lesson on: Data protection, copyright and the law, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 computer science lesson on: Data protection, copyright and the law, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 computer science lessons from the Databases and SQL unit, dive into the full secondary computer science curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.