
Compression lesson for Cambridge International AS & A Level Computer Science (9618), with editable PowerPoint slides, a student worksheet and full answers. Compression makes files smaller; students compare lossless and lossy methods, including run-length encoding, and when each suits.
Written for Paper 1 Theory Fundamentals, section 1 Information representation (syllabus 1.3.1, 1.3.2, 1.3.3). Everything is editable, so you can adapt it to your class.
What’s included- PowerPoint lesson (14 slides) with teacher notes on every slide
- Student worksheet (Word), ready to print or edit
- Answer sheet (Word) with mark-scheme style answers for every question
By the end of the lesson students can:
- Explain why files are compressed, with real examples
- Compare lossy and lossless compression and justify the choice for a situation
- Describe how text, bitmap, vector and sound files are compressed, including run-length encoding
Worksheet sections: A. Key words; B. Run-length encoding; C. Choose the method; D. Exam-style questions; E. Challenge
Every lesson includes- Learning goals and a starter question
- Clear explanations, diagrams and worked examples (Cambridge pseudocode, as in the 2027–2029 pseudocode guide, with Python alongside)
- A quick check and a “your turn” task linked to the worksheet
- Exam-style questions with marks, and an exit ticket
- PowerPoint (.pptx) and Word (.docx), fully editable
- Works in PowerPoint and Google Slides
- Calm, muted sixth-form design, consistent across the whole course
These are independent resources written for the Cambridge International AS & A Level Computer Science syllabus (9618) for examination in 2027, 2028 and 2029. They are not produced or endorsed by Cambridge University Press & Assessment. Syllabus point numbers are our own numbering of the syllabus statements.
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Last updated: November 2026.
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