Australian Computing Academy

What is the Digital Technologies Curriculum?

The Digital Technologies curriculum is part of the Australian Curriculum. Digital Technologies will be taught to every student from first year of school to year 8 (with electives for students in 9-10) across Australia!

Key Concepts

Abstraction

Digital systems

Data representation

Data collection

Data interpretation

Specification

Algorithms

Implementation

Impact

Interactions

Hiding details of an idea, problem or solution that are not relevant, to focus on a manageable number of aspects.

Unpack Abstraction

A system that processes data in binary, made up of hardware, controlled by software, and connected to form networks.

Systems

Systems explores the composition of systems and their use in all aspects of our lives.

Networks

Networks describes how we connect systems together and use them to transmit data.

Security

Security is concerned with how we protect the data stored in and transmitted by systems.

Unpack Digital systems

How data is represented and structured symbolically for storage and communication, by people and in digital systems.

Representation

Representation explores how we model, construct and describe data.

Data types

Data types describe the internal representation of data in digital systems and the operations that can be performed on it.

Unpack Data representation

Numerical, categorical, or structured values collected or calculated to create information, e.g. the Census.

Acquire data

Acquire data examines how we collect and access data from a variety of sources.

Unpack Data collection

The process of extracting meaning from data. Methods include modelling, statistical analysis, and visualisation.

Organise data

Organise data explores the ways we order, sort and arrange data to assist us with interpretation in different contexts.

Visualise data

Visualise data describes the many ways we present data in its raw and summarised form for communication and further analysis.

Unpack Data interpretation

Defining a problem precisely and clearly, identifying the requirements, and breaking it down into manageable pieces.

Problem definition

Problem definition is the process we follow and considerations we make to determine and describe the problems we intend to solve.

Constraints

Constraints describe the restricting factors we face when solving problems, and how we factor these into our planned solutions.

Decomposition

Decomposition is the process of breaking a problem into more manageable pieces so it can be understood and solved.

Unpack Specification

The precise sequence of steps and decisions needed to solve a problem. They often involve iterative (repeated) processes.

Follow algorithms

Follow algorithms is the process of performing the steps required to solve a problem.

Design algorithms

Design algorithms captures the solution design we undertake to develop an automated solution to a problem.

Algorithm constructs

Algorithm constructs are the building blocks we use to define our algorithms in a form digital systems can execute.

Unpack Algorithms

The automation of an algorithm, typically by writing a computer program (coding) or using appropriate software.

Digital Solutions

Digital solutions are computer programs implemented with a programming language (code).

Programming constructs

Programming constructs are the fundamental principles of program control flow we use in programming languages.

Programming paradigms

Programming paradigms are the underlying philosophies and approaches that are used in the structure of computer programs.

Unpack Implementation

Analysing and predicting how existing and created systems meet needs, affect people, and change society and the world.

Information systems

Information systems describe the solutions developed by people that make use of data and systems.

Users

Users are the people who benefit from or control information systems.

Evaluation considerations

Evaluation considerations is concerned with how we factor the intended and unintended impacts of our solutions into our designs and implementation strategies.

Unpack Impact

How users use digital systems to communicate and collaborate.

Plan and manage

Plan and manage involves organising and controlling processes, people and resources in the development of solutions.

Create information

Creating information involves using digital systems to present ideas and information.

Communicate and collaborate

Communicate and collaborate involves using digital systems to share information and work with others.

Unpack Human–Human Interactions

How users experience and interface with digital systems.

User experience

User experience goes beyond user interfaces to encompass a user's perceptions and responses when interacting with a digital system.

Evaluate designs

Evaluate designs describes the considerations and design decisions we make when designing digital systems.

Unpack Human–Computer Interactions

Unpack the curriculum

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