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Similarly to other areas of TAS, the Digital Technologies context allows students to design and produce. In this case, with the concepts of Computer Science and the tools and methods of digital materials and systems such as digital devices, electronic components, coding etc. The New K-6 Science and Technology syllabus introduces primary students to the concepts of digital technologies and design and production processes in preparation for the skills they will be taught in Mandatory Technology 7-8.
Digital Technologies is the study of digital concepts and processes and also how digital systems work as a whole. Armed with this knowledge students are then able to design and create new projects.
Digital Technologies is more that just coding. It includes an understanding of the underpinning concepts of Computer Science such as Computational Thinking, a particular approach to problem solving and the digital version of identifying problems (called debugging) and redesigning.
Students can even learn about concepts through unplugged activities, that is activities that build knowledge about digital technologies without using any computers or digital devices. Find out more about CS (Computer Science) unplugged activities here. These videos are good examples of the unplugged approach.
Students will also learn about planning and designing in this context which is often done using algorithms. (see video below).
Algorithms can be realised in a number of ways such as flow charts, written instructions (such as a recipes in Food Technology or plain english instruction intended for a computer that will later be turned into code (called pseudo code)), storyboarding etc and other forms or algorithms can be used in many other technology contexts.
General Programming language
The Technology Mandatory 7-8 Syllabus specifies that students should learn a general programming language. This is so students will have an understanding of a commonly used programming language that they could use in a number of situations and with a number of devices such as robots and Arduinos etc. Other programming languages are designed for very specific purposes.
"Examples of general-purpose programming languages include C#, C++, Java, JavaScript, Python, Ruby and Visual Basic. They do not include declarative programming languages such as Prolog or structured query language (SQL), or languages designed for solving domain-specific problems or for pedagogical reasons."
There are many useful resources online, however this is a great place to start.
Education Services Australia Digital Technologies Hub houses many useful links to resources for teachers around the Digital Technologies content in the Australian Curriculum
Design influenced by Digital Technologies (combining contexts with Digital Technologies)
Digital Technologies inspiration and concepts are influencing modern design in many ways such as
Jewellery design
Algorithmic Jewellery is created out of a range of materials. This example is called Nervous System, a collection of jewelry that’s inspired by science and technology by Corollaria
Architecture
Textiles and fashion design
8KFlexwarm is a USB battery powered heated jacket with smart phone controlled temperature.
Agriculture and food production
Swagbot is a robot designed to work amongst cattle
RIPPA autonomous robot that weeds and exterminates pests
Digital Sewing Machines
Coding project ideas
Python is a popular general programming language with lots of support documentation available
Did you know that Python has a built in Turtle module, based on the original Logo programming language that can be used to write simple programs that create graphics? find out more about that here
Consider having your students writing a text-based adventure game in python or create a space invaders game. Search for tutorials that suit their abilities on youtube or similar.
Principles and concepts of Digital Technologies
Education Services Australia Digital Technologies Hub houses many useful links to resources for teachers around the Digital Technologies content in the Australian Curriculum
CSER Digital Technologies Education provide a number of MOOCs providing Technology Teachers with an opportunity to learn about digital technologies concepts in the new syllabus.
Grok Learning provide resources to guide your students years 3-10 to develop practical computational thinking skills. For teachers who are feeling not too confident with coding Grok has solutions and step by step tutorials for each problem and a variety of professional development opportunities. All content is free for teachers (and pre-service teachers!). Grok Learning also runs a number of competitions and challenges for students and teachers to join including the NCSS Challenge and Hour or code.
Australian Digital Technologies Challenges are a series of free online teaching and learning activities for students in Years 5 to 8 that are aligned to the Australian Curriculum: Digital Technologies. The Australian Computer Academy (ACA) at the University of Sydney is delivering this initiative. Dive into Code will offer a suite of fun and engaging coding activities and challenges for students in Years 4 to 12.
Virtual Building and Testing/coding Websites
Tinkercad by Autodesk has a circuits environment in which you can build with a virtual Arduino if you don't own the equipment.
MadMaker is a 6-week online course aimed at Year 9 and 10 students with a goal to educate them about embedded systems and their use in everyday life. It involves using Arduino Esplora boards. The website has many useful resources for teachers.
Pencilcode is a free online visual and text-based programming environment that looks and behaves similarly to Logo. It helps to introduce coding concepts for beginners before they progress to Python or other general programming language.
Microsoft Makecode is a website on which you can program a variety of devices including Microbit and Lego Mindstorms on a virtual copy of the device, allowing you to test the code. You can also download the code to your physical device if you have one.
Understanding Data Representation
Matt Parker, Stand up Mathematician talks Spreadsheets
A humorous explanation of the way RGB colour works in pixel form to create an overall image.
Govhack is an open data hackathon, run annually by volunteers, focussed on unlocking the value in open data published by government.
Extra Resources for coding and programming
W3Schools Tutorials have python, javascript and many more tutorials
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