CompuScholar Computer Science and Digital Literacy Courses

K12 CS Framework Aligned

CompuScholar, Inc.

CompuScholar publishes turn-key, online computer science and digital literacy curriculum for middle and high school students.

CompuScholar’s online courses include:

We provide a complete, online teaching system and expert year-round support for teachers. Free Professional Development opportunities are also available.

URL:

https://www.compuscholar.com/school …

Cost:

Paid

K12 CS Framework Components

What is this?
Grade Band:
6-8
Concept:
Computing Systems
Sub-Concept:
Devices
Statements:
The interaction between humans and computing devices presents advantages, disadvantages, and unintended consequences. The study of human–computer interaction can improve the design of devices and extend the abilities of humans.
Grade Band:
6-8
Concept:
Computing Systems
Sub-Concept:
Hardware and Software
Statements:
Hardware and software determine a computing system’s capability to store and process information. The design or selection of a computing system involves multiple considerations and potential tradeoffs, such as functionality, cost, size, speed, accessibility, and aesthetics.
Grade Band:
6-8
Concept:
Computing Systems
Sub-Concept:
Troubleshooting
Statements:
Comprehensive troubleshooting requires knowledge of how computing devices and components work and interact. A systematic process will identify the source of a problem, whether within a device or in a larger system of connected devices.
Grade Band:
6-8
Concept:
Networks and Internet
Sub-Concept:
Network Communications
Statements:
Computers send and receive information based on a set of rules called protocols. Protocols define how messages between computers are structured and sent. Considerations of security, speed, and reliability are used to determine the best path to send and receive data.
Grade Band:
6-8
Concept:
Networks and Internet
Sub-Concept:
Cybersecurity
Statements:
The information sent and received across networks can be protected from unauthorized access and modification in a variety of ways, such as encryption to maintain its confidentiality and restricted access to maintain its integrity. Security measures to safeguard online information proactively address the threat of breaches to personal and private data.
Grade Band:
6-8
Concept:
Data and Analysis
Sub-Concept:
Collection
Statements:
People design algorithms and tools to automate the collection of data by computers. When data collection is automated, data is sampled and converted into a form that a computer can process. For example, data from an analog sensor must be converted into a digital form. The method used to automate data collection is influenced by the availability of tools and the intended use of the data.
Grade Band:
6-8
Concept:
Data and Analysis
Sub-Concept:
Storage
Statements:
Applications store data as a representation. Representations occur at multiple levels, from the arrangement of information into organized formats (such as tables in software) to the physical storage of bits. The software tools used to access information translate the low-level representation of bits into a form understandable by people.
Grade Band:
6-8
Concept:
Data and Analysis
Sub-Concept:
Visualization and Transformation
Statements:
Data can be transformed to remove errors, highlight or expose relationships, and/or make it easier for computers to process.
Grade Band:
6-8
Concept:
Data and Analysis
Sub-Concept:
Inference and Models
Statements:
Computer models can be used to simulate events, examine theories and inferences, or make predictions with either few or millions of data points. Computer models are abstractions that represent phenomena and use data and algorithms to emphasize key features and relationships within a system. As more data is automatically collected, models can be refined.
Grade Band:
6-8
Concept:
Algorithms and Programming
Sub-Concept:
Algorithms
Statements:
Algorithms affect how people interact with computers and the way computers respond. People design algorithms that are generalizable to many situations. Algorithms that are readable are easier to follow, test, and debug.
Grade Band:
6-8
Concept:
Algorithms and Programming
Sub-Concept:
Variables
Statements:
Programmers create variables to store data values of selected types. A meaningful identifier is assigned to each variable to access and perform operations on the value by name. Variables enable the flexibility to represent different situations, process different sets of data, and produce varying outputs.
Grade Band:
6-8
Concept:
Algorithms and Programming
Sub-Concept:
Control
Statements:
Programmers select and combine control structures, such as loops, event handlers, and conditionals, to create more complex program behavior.
Grade Band:
6-8
Concept:
Algorithms and Programming
Sub-Concept:
Modularity
Statements:
Programs use procedures to organize code, hide implementation details, and make code easier to reuse. Procedures can be repurposed in new programs. Defining parameters for procedures can generalize behavior and increase reusability.
Grade Band:
6-8
Concept:
Algorithms and Programming
Sub-Concept:
Program Development
Statements:
People design meaningful solutions for others by defining a problem’s criteria and constraints, carefully considering the diverse needs and wants of the community, and testing whether criteria and constraints were met.
Grade Band:
6-8
Concept:
Impacts of Computing
Sub-Concept:
Culture
Statements:
Advancements in computing technology change people’s everyday activities. Society is faced with tradeoffs due to the increasing globalization and automation that computing brings.
Grade Band:
6-8
Concept:
Impacts of Computing
Sub-Concept:
Social Interactions
Statements:
People can organize and engage around issues and topics of interest through various communication platforms enabled by computing, such as social networks and media outlets. These interactions allow issues to be examined using multiple viewpoints from a diverse audience.
Grade Band:
6-8
Concept:
Impacts of Computing
Sub-Concept:
Safety, Law, and Ethics
Statements:
There are tradeoffs between allowing information to be public and keeping information private and secure. People can be tricked into revealing personal information when more public information is available about them online.
Grade Band:
9-12
Concept:
Computing Systems
Sub-Concept:
Devices
Statements:
Computing devices are often integrated with other systems, including biological, mechanical, and social systems. These devices can share data with one another. The usability, dependability, security, and accessibility of these devices, and the systems they are integrated with, are important considerations in their design as they evolve.
Grade Band:
9-12
Concept:
Computing Systems
Sub-Concept:
Hardware and Software
Statements:
Levels of interaction exist between the hardware, software, and user of a computing system. The most common levels of software that a user interacts with include system software and applications. System software controls the flow of information between hardware components used for input, output, storage, and processing.
Grade Band:
9-12
Concept:
Computing Systems
Sub-Concept:
Troubleshooting
Statements:
Troubleshooting complex problems involves the use of multiple sources when researching, evaluating, and implementing potential solutions. Troubleshooting also relies on experience, such as when people recognize that a problem is similar to one they have seen before or adapt solutions that have worked in the past.
Grade Band:
9-12
Concept:
Networks and Internet
Sub-Concept:
Network Communications
Statements:
Network topology is determined, in part, by how many devices can be supported. Each device is assigned an address that uniquely identifies it on the network. The scalability and reliability of the Internet are enabled by the hierarchy and redundancy in networks.
Grade Band:
9-12
Concept:
Networks and Internet
Sub-Concept:
Cybersecurity
Statements:
Network security depends on a combination of hardware, software, and practices that control access to data and systems. The needs of users and the sensitivity of data determine the level of security implemented.
Grade Band:
9-12
Concept:
Data and Analysis
Sub-Concept:
Collection
Statements:
Data is constantly collected or generated through automated processes that are not always evident, raising privacy concerns. The different collection methods and tools that are used influence the amount and quality of the data that is observed and recorded.
Grade Band:
9-12
Concept:
Data and Analysis
Sub-Concept:
Storage
Statements:
Data can be composed of multiple data elements that relate to one another. For example, population data may contain information about age, gender, and height. People make choices about how data elements are organized and where data is stored. These choices affect cost, speed, reliability, accessibility, privacy, and integrity.
Grade Band:
9-12
Concept:
Data and Analysis
Sub-Concept:
Visualization and Transformation
Statements:
People transform, generalize, simplify, and present large data sets in different ways to influence how other people interpret and understand the underlying information. Examples include visualization, aggregation, rearrangement, and application of mathematical operations.
Grade Band:
9-12
Concept:
Data and Analysis
Sub-Concept:
Inference and Models
Statements:
The accuracy of predictions or inferences depends upon the limitations of the computer model and the data the model is built upon. The amount, quality, and diversity of data and the features chosen can affect the quality of a model and ability to understand a system. Predictions or inferences are tested to validate models.
Grade Band:
9-12
Concept:
Algorithms and Programming
Sub-Concept:
Algorithms
Statements:
People evaluate and select algorithms based on performance, reusability, and ease of implementation. Knowledge of common algorithms improves how people develop software, secure data, and store information.
Grade Band:
9-12
Concept:
Algorithms and Programming
Sub-Concept:
Variables
Statements:
Data structures are used to manage program complexity. Programmers choose data structures based on functionality, storage, and performance tradeoffs.
Grade Band:
9-12
Concept:
Algorithms and Programming
Sub-Concept:
Control
Statements:
Programmers consider tradeoffs related to implementation, readability, and program performance when selecting and combining control structures.
Grade Band:
9-12
Concept:
Algorithms and Programming
Sub-Concept:
Modularity
Statements:
Complex programs are designed as systems of interacting modules, each with a specific role, coordinating for a common overall purpose. These modules can be procedures within a program; combinations of data and procedures; or independent, but interrelated, programs. Modules allow for better management of complex tasks.
Grade Band:
9-12
Concept:
Algorithms and Programming
Sub-Concept:
Program Development
Statements:
Diverse teams can develop programs with a broad impact through careful review and by drawing on the strengths of members in different roles. Design decisions often involve tradeoffs. The development of complex programs is aided by resources such as libraries and tools to edit and manage parts of the program. Systematic analysis is critical for identifying the effects of lingering bugs.
Grade Band:
9-12
Concept:
Impacts of Computing
Sub-Concept:
Culture
Statements:
The design and use of computing technologies and artifacts can improve, worsen, or maintain inequitable access to information and opportunities.
Grade Band:
9-12
Concept:
Impacts of Computing
Sub-Concept:
Social Interactions
Statements:
Many aspects of society, especially careers, have been affected by the degree of communication afforded by computing. The increased connectivity between people in different cultures and in different career fields has changed the nature and content of many careers.
Grade Band:
9-12
Concept:
Impacts of Computing
Sub-Concept:
Safety, Law, and Ethics
Statements:
Laws govern many aspects of computing, such as privacy, data, property, information, and identity. These laws can have beneficial and harmful effects, such as expediting or delaying advancements in computing and protecting or infringing upon people’s rights. International differences in laws and ethics have implications for computing.
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