Introduction to this Teacher Resource

This is the fourth publication by CUP relating to the CIE ASAL Computer Science 9608
syllabus. The other three are:

• Cambridge International AS and A Level Computer Science Coursebook –

9781107546738 (referred to as the coursebook throughout this resource)

• Cambridge International AS and A Level Computer Science Enhanced Elevate edition –

9781107547551 (referred to as the E-book throughout this resource)

• Cambridge International AS and A Level Computer Science Revision Guide -

9781107547544

This resource contains the following:

• a document showing the mapping of the coursebook content to the syllabus;

• twenty eight individual teaching guide chapters;

• PowerPoint slides;

• answers to coursebook questions and tasks;

• worksheets;

• videos;

• bibliography;

Note that all of the above can be accessed directly from the menu provided for this resource
but that the PowerPoints, answers, worksheets and videos are also accessible via links in the
individual chapters. The videos included in the resource have been developed by Cambridge.
They are few in number. The bibliography lists authoritative resources which will mainly be
of use for teachers. Most of the textbooks included in this list are very expensive but
hopefully they will be available from libraries.

For the teaching guide chapters relating to sections 1 and 3 of the syllabus and therefore to
parts 1 and 3 of the coursebook there are some specific aspects to note:

• each teaching guide chapter maps on to one coursebook chapter;

• there is one PowerPoint slide for each chapter consisting of a structured set of bullet
points which could be used for introduction or summary or could be expanded to suit
needs;

• there are links to two worksheets; the second one contains stretch and challenge
questions;

• there are references to questions provided only in the E-book;

• there is a list of references to suitable resource material specific to the chapter.

For the teaching guide chapters relating to sections 2 and 4 of the syllabus and therefore to
parts 2 and 4 of the coursebook the content is structured differently. The reason for this is
that these parts of the syllabus are focussed mainly on skill development. Specific points to
note concerning the difference are:

• the first two teaching guide chapters map on to a combination of two coursebook
chapters but otherwise each one maps on to one coursebook chapter;

• there are no PowerPoint slides;

• there are no questions provided only in the E-book;

• Tasks and questions marked with a * are for students who have finished the
unmarked tasks and questions. The tasks and questions marked with ** are for
stretch and challenge.

Some general points to note:

It is suggested in the syllabus documentation that 360 guided hours would be suitable for
study of the whole syllabus. This is the basis for the breakdown of teaching suggested in
this resource.

The syllabus states that there is no expectation of previous study of computer science or
ICT. The coursebook and this guide are written in accordance with this. You will need to
adjust your teaching to take into account your learners’ prior study experience.

The syllabus defines two assessment objectives: A01 Knowledge with understanding (which
dominates papers 1 and 3) and A02 Skills (which dominates papers 2 and 4). The content of
the coursebook and this guide reflect this requirement.