Level 2

Computational thinking for digital technologies

Students will develop an understanding of computer science principles that underlie all digital technologies. They’ll learn core programming concepts so that they can become creators of digital technology, not just users.

Progress outcome 7

In authentic contexts and taking account of end-users, students analyse concepts in digital technologies (for example, information systems, encryption, error control, complexity and tractability, autonomous control) by explaining the relevant mechanisms that underpin them, how they are used in real world applications, and the key problems or issues related to them.

Students discuss the purpose of a selection of data structures and evaluate their use in terms of trade-offs between performance and storage requirements and their suitability for different algorithms. They use an iterative process to design, develop, document and test advanced computer programs.

Designing and developing digital outcomes

Students will learn how to design quality, fit-for-purpose digital solutions.

Progress outcome 5

In authentic contexts and with support, students investigate a specialised digital technologies area (for example, digital media, digital information, electronic environments, user experience design, digital systems) and propose possible solutions to issues they identify. They independently apply an iterative process to design, develop, store and test digital outcomes that enable their solutions, identifying, evaluating, prioritising and responding to relevant social, ethical and end-user considerations. They use information from testing and, with increasing confidence, optimise tools, techniques, procedures and protocols to improve the quality of the outcomes. They apply evaluative processes to ensure the outcomes are fit-for-purpose and meet end-user requirements.

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COURSE INFO

The course starts with ten weeks of learning skills through your chosen software i.e. Blender, Fusion360, Inkscape etc. This is an opportunity to develop all the skills that you'll need without any assessment or risk and have some fun.

After you have an idea of your own capabilities and the capabilities of the software, you'll decide on what you'll make for your project and then design it. This will help you create your Design Portfolio that you can use to help you answer the question in the Design DCAT, AS92007, that will be held at the end of Term 3/Start of Term 4 (Date to be confirmed).

After you finish the design you get to create what you have designed. This will be around 12 weeks of work where you will plan and develop what you designed, testing and getting feedback along the way to make it better. This will be assessed by your teacher in AS92005 - Develop a digital technologies outcome, for 5 credits.

By the middle of term 3 you'll have your outcome finished. You will then have two weeks to put together a compelling presentation that tells a story of developing your outcome and covers some of the key aspects you entailed. This presentation is a nice way to pull all the knowledge, understanding and skills you have learnt in this course and showcase your project.

At the end of Term 3 you will move on to study for your two DCAT Exams. As mentioned above, one of the DCATS will be AS92007- Deisgn a digital technologies outcome and the other will be AS92006- Demonstrate understanding of usability in human computer interfaces. Instead of AS92006 you could always work though the other internal AS92004 - Create a Computer Program. The content and knowledge for this is all contained in the unit shown further down . HCI is a computer science concept is seen throughout all digital technologies and will help you get a much better understanding of interfaces as you move on to further study in digital technologies in following years. Each of the DCATs are worth 5 credits.

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NEED SOME PROJECT INSPIRATION

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YOUR CHOICE

We are going to spend Term 1 working through a variety of tasks and tutorials to hopefully develop your skill level further, and help you make decisions later on about what sort of project you want to spend the rest of the year on.

You are going to keep a record of your learning using this Skills Log. Update it as you go.