Rationale:

People can expect to work and live in environments requiring highly developed levels of computing and technological literacy. Current technologies are becoming obsolete at a rapid rate and new generations will need to be flexible to accommodate changes as they emerge. It is important that students learn about, choose and use appropriate information and software technology and develop an informed awareness of its capacities, scope, limitations and implications. Technological competence in the rapidly evolving area of information and software technology will require lifelong learning.

The study of Information and Software Technology Years 7–10 assists students to develop the knowledge, understanding and skills to solve problems in real life contexts. Through experiential and collaborative tasks, students engage in processes of analysing, designing, producing, testing, documenting, implementing and evaluating information and software technology-based solutions. Creative, critical and meta-cognitive thinking skills are developed through students’ practical involvement in projects.

Core content of the Information and Software Technology Years 7–10 Syllabus provides students with specialised knowledge of past, current and emerging technologies, data, hardware, software and people involved in the field of information and software technology. The core also includes legal, ethical, social and industrial issues. Students develop information and software technology solutions through project work, individually and collaboratively. Options provide opportunities for the contextualisation of the core and allow choices of areas of interest to be made. Options include artificial intelligence, simulation and modelling, authoring and multimedia, database design, digital media, the Internet and website development, networking systems, robotics and automated systems, and software development and programming.

Information and Software Technology Years 7–10 is a course in which diverse aspects of a students’ prior knowledge and skills can be brought together. Students will be given opportunities to build on information and communication technology (ICT) skills, when using and integrating application programs and hardware devices throughout the course. Through approaches such as modelling and prototyping, and other student-centred activities, students will develop knowledge and understanding of both practical and theoretical concepts of the course.

Participation in Information and Software Technology in Years 7–10 appeals to students through practical activities and their enjoyment of learning about and using computers. As a result of studying this course, students will be equipped to make appropriate use of and informed choices about information and software technology both at a personal level and in the workplace. Students will be prepared for future developments and directions in the exciting and challenging field of information and software technology. They can develop interest in, enjoyment of and critical reflection about information and software technology as an integral part of modern society.

Aim:

The aim of the Information and Software Technology Years 7–10 Syllabus is to develop students’ knowledge and understanding, confidence and creativity in analysing, designing, developing and evaluating information and software technology solutions.

Objectives:

Knowledge, Understanding, Skills, Values and Attitudes

Students will develop:

• knowledge and understanding of a range of computer software and hardware

• problem-solving and critical thinking skills in order to design and develop creative information and software technology solutions for a variety of real-world problems

• responsible and ethical attitudes related to the use of information and software technology

• knowledge and understanding of the effects of past, current and emerging information and software technologies on the individual and society

• effective communication skills and collaborative work practices leading to information and software technology solutions for specific problems.

Content:

Core

The core content cannot be taught in isolation: it must be integrated with options in the form of projects. Options should be planned to allow all of the core to be taught over the course of study. The core is divided into the following areas:

• Design, Produce and Evaluate

• Data Handling

• Hardware

• Issues

• Past, Current and Emerging Technologies

• People

• Software.

Options

Options allow for the integration and application of the core content. Teachers should select options that use school resources and consider student interest, teacher expertise and local community resources. The options are:

• Artificial Intelligence, Simulation and Modelling

• Authoring and Multimedia

• Database Design

• Digital Media

• Internet and Website Development

• Networking Systems

• Robotics and Automated Systems

• Software Development and Programming.