NCEA Level 3 Digital Technologies

Aims

To build upon the knowledge and skills learned in Level 2 Digital Technologies with a key focus on the design and development process for creating real-world applications. Learners will integrate their programming, design and database skills with user experience and software engineering principles to develop their own software application. 

Course Content

Learners will learn about the principles of user-experience design to help support the development of high-quality, fit-for-purpose applications. They will conduct a critical inquiry to propose a digital technologies outcome and then apply their technical skills to produce the outcome using software engineering principles.  The learner's project can be submitted for NCEA Technology Scholarship, as well as the New Zealand Digital Technologies Challenge.

Specific areas of knowledge and skill to be developed are:

• Complex programming techniques

• Complex database techniques

• User-experience design

• Inquiry process

• Computer science principles underpinning software development

Assessment

Written reports (external topics), project portfolios (internal topics)

Qualification gained

NCEA Level 3 Technology (Digital Technologies) - full course completion 18-21 credits.

This subject has links with

DVC, Visual Arts, Science, Mathematics, Social Sciences

Prior knowledge required

Recommended study of Digital Technologies at Year 12, NCEA L2; an interest in design and problem solving; a creative mind; ability to work independently. Personal qualities: curiosity, perseverance, organisational and communication skills.

Next Step

Level 3 Digital Technologies supports most future career pathways.  It is particularly relevant for those wanting to pursue careers in creative digital technologies (animation, web design, 3D modelling, game development), software engineering, information systems, product design and project management.