Trimester Outline

The core work you must know can be found on or are linked from these three 'main' pages:

• Python

• Python basics

• Python videos

Python basics leads to the following six 'lessons' (concepts of programming) you must learn and practice:

• Python for starters

• Input and Arithmetic Operators

• Selection - IF/ELIF/ELSE

• Iteration - Loops

• Generation Random Numbers

• Other Useful Code

Most structured tasks that you will complete throughout the trimester fall into the following three categories:

• Learning Activities - structured coding tasks where you can learn to apply a range of basic to more challenging coding techniques (copying!)

• Practice Exercises - a series of short coding challenges where YOU solve a range of problems ranging from simple to more advanced algorithms 

• Project - a structured but self-directed coding project that works you through the Design Cycle

With many of these tasks you are provided the opportunity to choose the order and pacing of how you tackle them (within each week's set of activities). It is your responsibility to ensure that your progress is accurately recorded.  Your teacher will provide you with a link to your progress tracker spreadsheet for the trimester (similar to the above) where you can flick between three sheets and check off your achievements as you go. 

[click the above images to enlarge them and view details]

Week 1 Activities - click here to view

• This week's core focus - introduction to Python

Week 3+ Extension Activities - click here to view

Week 4 Activities

• Introduction to programming project

• COMPLETE THIS FORM

• Watch video introducing and exploring Criterion A

• Download Criterion A from the link above and save to One Drive (in a folder called Year 8 Digital Technologies)

• Start Criterion A

Week 5 Activities

• Complete Criterion A

Week 6 Activities

• Watch video introducing and exploring Criterion B

• Start Criterion B

Week 7 Activities

• Continue and complete Criterion B

• Complete the flowchart activities as directed and use the Year 8 Project Examples to assist with completing Criterion B

Week 8 Activities

• Watch video introducing and exploring Criterion C 

• Start Criterion C - coding your project

Week 9-10 Activities

• Continue working on programming project + Criterion C documentation

• Add your teacher to Multiplayer by clicking on the +invite button on your project repl (your teacher will provide their username)

• Aim to have the project complete (or at least functional) by the end of  Week 10; email or speak to your teacher with any specific concerns

• Allocate 45 to 60 minutes to working on Criterion D under test conditions 

• If some aspects of your game don't work when doing the evaluation, date each answer and then annotate your work at a later date if you change, add, or fix anything

• Complete your project

• If there are any remaining issues or concerns, organise a meeting with your teacher to work together to solve any problems 

• Submit Criterion C + D via SEQTA

Week 11-13 Activities

• Computer networks information, videos, tasks, games, and extension

• Free-choice activities: 

  • micro:bit mini projects - head to makecode.microbit.org  and choose / create a variety of mini projects / tutorials to code. You don't need to log in as your browser will save your files to local storage. You can download your files to transfer to micro:bits in future lessons.

  • Scratch conversion of Python project - use your Python code as a guide to assist in the creation of a 'multimedia' (graphics, sounds, animations) version of your Python game. Use the same variables, lists, IF/ELSE statements, loops etc to guide your coding. You may be surprised just how quick you can create a graphical version of your game! 

  • Introduction to basic web-design using the HTML and CSS resources on this website. You will need to download Visual Studio code from here.