3 - 4 Digital Technologies

Resources and Lesson ideas

See Digital Technologies Hub for their scope and sequence of suggested units to support this band.


Resources to support Content Descriptions

(ACTDIK007) Identify and explore a range of digital systems with peripheral devices for different purposes, and transmit different types of data

  • Digital Systems (Digital Technologies Hub)
  • Scootle Resources
  • Digital Systems (Digipubs - Victorian Department of Education)
  • Systems Thinking (Digital Technologies Hub)
  • User interface (Digital Technologies Hub)
  • Peripherals (Digital Technologies Hub)Students explore different types of peripherals used every day to identify the data transmitted. A peripheral is an auxiliary device such as a keyboard that connects to and works with another device for example a computer.
  • Scratch (MIT Media Lab) hosted collection of Makey Makey-based projects. Available as an open resource for teachers and students to access and remix.
  • Scratch (MIT Media Lab) hosted gallery of Scratch-based music programs.
  • Dash and Dot (Wonder Workshop) - online collection of classroom activity ideas.
  • Educade resource to use a Makey Makey as a game controller. Detailed lesson plan that discusses technology interfaces and materials.
  • BBC Computer Science Classroom Resources. A comprehensive set of contextualised learning guides and classroom resources explicitly linked and constructed around the UK curriculum. Equivalent resources exist for the Design & Technology space.
  • Coursera PD course for educators about integrating ICT into the classroom. Some content focused on "using ICT" some about programming and robotics. Moreso about how to integrate at a school & class level, including pedagogy. Not currently running.
  • CSTA Website - Curriculum Resources. "CS Principles": Computation in Action engages students in socially-relevant, project-based learning activities designed to foster computational thinking. Includes some lesson ideas for the topics: Algorithms, Data and Abstraction, Programming, The Internet and Impact.
  • Tinkering Fundamentals (Coursera course). The Tinkering Fundamentals course helps educators and enthusiasts develop a practice of tinkering and making. The course focuses on key design elements of science-rich tinkering activities, effective facilitation strategies and environmental organisation.
  • The CSER (Uni of Adelaide) F-6 MOOC to support Digital Technologies Implementation. Covers various topics in the curriculum. Courses also available: F-6 Extended, Years 7&8 and 9-10 coming soon.


(ACTDIK008) Recognise different types of data and explore how the same data can be represented in different ways

  • What is Data?
  • Video 1: Understanding representation, part 1 (Digital Technologies Hub)
  • Video 2: Understanding representation, part 2 (Digital Technologies Hub)
  • Scootle resources
  • Data and Information (Digipubs - Victorian Department of Education)
  • Binary representation of data (Digital Technologies Hub)
  • Data representation lesson ideas (Digital Technologies Hub)
  • Rubbish recording and reduction (Digital Technologies Hub) Students survey and collect data concerning what is brought to school each day and subsequently becomes rubbish. They then use Excel to represent that data in a variety of different ways.
  • Rubbish recording and reduction Part 2 (Digital Technologies Hub) Students survey and collect data concerning what is brought to school each day and subsequently becomes rubbish. They then use Excel to represent that data in a variety of different ways.
  • Google for Education - Exploring Computational Thinking Resource set. A collection of selected resources, and lesson plans, designed to explicitly support the development of computational thinking within K-12.
  • ScratchEd is an online community where teachers exchange resources and share stories. It forms part of a connected set of resources, including ScratchJR targeting F-2, and Scratch, supporting 8+.
  • Kodu Game Lab Community. Kodu lets kids create games on the PC and Xbox via a simple visual programming language. Some of the curriculum resources aren't working (404s) but you can download the full zip file (40MB). There are some resources for teachers or a self-learn section of resources.
  • Blockly Games is a series of educational games that teach programming. It is designed for children who have not had prior experience with computer programming. By the end of these games, it is suggested that players are ready to use conventional text-based languages. Suitable introduction for all ages (and could be used for PL). Develop computational thinking skills.
  • Computational Thinking game for learners covering abstraction, decomposition, pattern recognition, and algorithms. Not a very long game but each of the ideas could help to give teachers ideas for young students or be supported with a hands-on lesson as well. The goal is to show students that they can think for themselves and solve problems (like the CS Unplugged ethos).
  • Tutorial-based activities on Khan Academy for the "Computing" subject area. "Computer Science" Stream. Learn select topics from computer science - algorithms (how we solve common problems in computer science and measure the efficiency of our solutions), cryptography (how we protect secret information), and information theory (how we encode and compress information).
  • CSTA Website - Curriculum Resources. "CS Principles": Computation in Action engages students in socially-relevant, project-based learning activities designed to foster computational thinking. Includes some lesson ideas for the topics: Algorithms, Data and Abstraction, Programming, The Internet and Impact.


(ACTDIP009) Collect, access and present different types of data using simple software to create information and solve problems

  • What is Data?
  • Video 1: Understanding representation, part 1 (Digital Technologies Hub)
  • Video 2: Understanding representation, part 2 (Digital Technologies Hub)
  • Data representation lesson ideas (Digital Technologies Hub)
  • Scootle Resources
  • Data and Information (Digipubs - Victorian Department of Education)
  • Rubbish recording and reduction (Digital Technologies Hub) Students survey and collect data concerning what is brought to school each day and subsequently becomes rubbish. They then use Excel to represent that data in a variety of different ways.
  • Rubbish recording and reduction Part 2 (Digital Technologies Hub) Students survey and collect data concerning what is brought to school each day and subsequently becomes rubbish. They then use Excel to represent that data in a variety of different ways.
  • Representation of data - Identifying metals and non metals - Science lesson plans (Teaching Teachers for the Future)
  • Google for Education - Exploring Computational Thinking Resource set. A collection of selected resources, and lesson plans, designed to explicitly support the development of computational thinking within K-12.
  • Tutorial-based activities on Khan Academy for the "Computing" subject area. "Computer Science" Stream. Learn select topics from computer science - algorithms (how we solve common problems in computer science and measure the efficiency of our solutions), cryptography (how we protect secret information), and information theory (how we encode and compress information).
  • CSTA Website - Curriculum Resources. "CS Principles": Computation in Action engages students in socially-relevant, project-based learning activities designed to foster computational thinking. Includes some lesson ideas for the topics: Algorithms, Data and Abstraction, Programming, The Internet and Impact.
  • The CSTA Computational Thinking Resource for K-12 teachers. Includes definitions, lesson examples and a "leadership" implementation document.
  • The CSER (Uni of Adelaide) F-6 MOOC to support Digital Technologies Implementation. Covers various topics in the curriculum. Courses also available: F-6 Extended, Years 7&8 and 9-10 coming soon.
  • Scratch is a project of the Lifelong Kindergarten Group at the MIT Media Lab. Scratch is a free visual programming environment and online community designed to support young people (8+) learning to code.
  • ScratchEd is an online community where teachers exchange resources and share stories. It forms part of a connected set of resources, including ScratchJR targeting F-2, and Scratch, supporting 8+.
  • Kodu Game Lab Community. Kodu lets kids create games on the PC and Xbox via a simple visual programming language. Some of the curriculum resources aren't working (404s) but you can download the full zip file (40MB). There are some resources for teachers or a self-learn section of resources.


(ACTDIP010) Define simple problems, and describe and follow a sequence of steps and decisions (algorithms) needed to solve them

  • Algorithms (Digital Technologies Hub)
  • Introducing Algorithms (Digital Technologies Hub) Students design a sequence of steps for others to follow. They convey their instructions to peers and evaluate the work of others to determine if the outcome was successful.
  • If-Then Backyard Coding Game
  • Scootle resources
  • Creating Digital Solutions (Digipubs - Victorian Department of Education)
  • Visual Programming (Digital Technologies Hub)
  • Visual Programming
  • BBC Computer Science Classroom Resources. A comprehensive set of contextualised learning guides and classroom resources explicitly linked and constructed around the UK curriculum. Equivalent resources exist for the Design & Technology space.
  • Bebras Computational Thinking Challenge. Puzzle-based problems for students or teams to complete within a timeframe, based on computational thinking.
  • Computational Thinking (Digital Technologies Hub)
  • Design Thinking (Digital Technologies Hub)
  • ABC Splash educational curated resources for students and teachers. Resources are provided across a range of areas, and mapped to the Australian curriculum. Resources are collected from a range of existing sites, along with the generation of new resources.
  • Code.Org resource site for exploring computational thinking and programming within K-12 and the broader community. Resources provide structured courses targeted at different age groups and mapped to US curriculum standards.
  • Resource via the NCWiT site. Introduce students to CS through AgentCubes, a 2-D and 3-D programming tool. Lessons included in the package that can be downloaded.
  • Tutorial-based activities on Khan Academy for the "Computing" subject area. "Computer Science" Stream. Learn select topics from computer science - algorithms (how we solve common problems in computer science and measure the efficiency of our solutions), cryptography (how we protect secret information), and information theory (how we encode and compress information).
  • The DLTV group have been posting some overview resources for teachers about the Digital Technologies learning area. Currently focuses on describing concepts to do with Computational Thinking (algorithms, decomposition). They also have resources about "Digital Technologies and Computational Thinking". http://diglearning.global2.vic.edu.au/2014/08/27/computational-thinking/
  • CSTA Website - Curriculum Resources. "CS Principles": Computation in Action engages students in socially-relevant, project-based learning activities designed to foster computational thinking. Includes some lesson ideas for the topics: Algorithms, Data and Abstraction, Programming, The Internet and Impact.
  • The CSTA Computational Thinking Resource for K-12 teachers. Includes definitions, lesson examples and a "leadership" implementation document.
  • Tinkering Fundamentals (Coursera course). The Tinkering Fundamentals course helps educators and enthusiasts develop a practice of tinkering and making. The course focuses on key design elements of science-rich tinkering activities, effective facilitation strategies and environmental organisation.
  • Code Yourself! An Introduction to Programming (Coursera). How to program in Scratch and the fundamental principles of computing. 5 weeks, available March-April 2015. Designed for teenagers but could be for educators/ anyone.
  • Introduction to Programming in Scratch in Education MOOC (via CourseBuilder). Five module course takes you through the ins and outs of programming with Scratch and prepares teachers for introducing students to Scratch. Currently not running officially but course still open.
  • College of St. Scholastica - TeachIT App Inventor Course (CS4HS supported). Includes "computational thinking". Can no longer "participate" in the MOOC, but can view the resources and recorded Hangouts.
  • The CSER (Uni of Adelaide) F-6 MOOC to support Digital Technologies Implementation. Covers various topics in the curriculum. Courses also available: F-6 Extended, Years 7&8 and 9-10 coming soon.
  • Creative Computing was a six-week online workshop for educators who want to learn more about using Scratch and supporting computational thinking in the classroom and other learning environments. The workshop was held in 2012 but the materials are still available online.
  • Edutopia curated collection of resources for teaching K-12 programming. Learners may access and also share resources, with a focus on coding and computer science concepts. Targetted at both parents and teachers.
  • Australian Curriculum Lessons website Collection of detailed lesson plans, and lesson plan sequences directly mapped to the Australian Curriculum.
  • Scratch (MIT Media Lab) hosted collection of Makey Makey-based projects. Available as an open resource for teachers and students to access and remix.
  • Scratch (MIT Media Lab) hosted gallery of Scratch-based music programs.
  • Dash and Dot (Wonder Workshop) - online collection of classroom activity ideas.
  • Scratch is a project of the Lifelong Kindergarten Group at the MIT Media Lab. Scratch is a free visual programming environment and online community designed to support young people (8+) learning to code.
  • ScratchEd is an online community where teachers exchange resources and share stories. It forms part of a connected set of resources, including ScratchJR targeting F-2, and Scratch, supporting 8+.
  • Blockly Games is a series of educational games that teach programming. It is designed for children who have not had prior experience with computer programming. By the end of these games, it is suggested that players are ready to use conventional text-based languages. Suitable introduction for all ages (and could be used for PL). Develop computational thinking skills.
  • CS Unplugged: An enrichment and extension programme for primary-aged students Created by Tim Bell, Ian H. Witten and Mike Fellows (University of Canterbury)
  • ComputerScience Unplugged - webinar hosted by Digital Technologies Hub featuring Tim Bell. Downloadable slides available.
  • Google for Education - Exploring Computational Thinking Resource set. A collection of selected resources, and lesson plans, designed to explicitly support the development of computational thinking within K-12.


(ACTDIP011) Implement simple digital solutions as visual programs with algorithms involving branching (decisions) and user input

  • Algorithms (Digital Technologies Hub)
  • Introducing Algorithms (Digital Technologies Hub) Students design a sequence of steps for others to follow. They convey their instructions to peers and evaluate the work of others to determine if the outcome was successful.
  • If-Then Backyard Coding Game
  • Scootle resources
  • Creating Digital Solutions (Digipubs - Victorian Department of Education)
  • Computational Thinking (Digital Technologies Hub)
  • Visual Programming (Digital Technologies Hub)
  • Visual Programming
  • Design Thinking (Digital Technologies Hub)
  • BBC Computer Science Classroom Resources. A comprehensive set of contextualised learning guides and classroom resources explicitly linked and constructed around the UK curriculum. Equivalent resources exist for the Design & Technology space.
  • CS First Materials by Google. These are created for "Club" use but could also be conducted as a classroom project. Both "teacher" and "student" materials. Currently there are 7 different project themes: Sound & Music, Social Media, Game Design, Art, Friends, Fashion & Design, Storytelling.
  • Coursera PD course for educators about integrating ICT into the classroom. Some content focused on "using ICT" some about programming and robotics. Moreso about how to integrate at a school & class level, including pedagogy. Not currently running.
  • Made With Code (Google initiative). Online tutorials and resources for students to complete. Topics range from creating visual sound animations with programming to Design and Technologies projects ("sew electric"). Focus is on learners. Resources for parents/teachers include "how to host a party" and "why code is important".
  • ABC Splash educational curated resources for students and teachers. Resources are provided across a range of areas, and mapped to the Australian curriculum. Resources are collected from a range of existing sites, along with the generation of new resources.
  • Code.Org resource site for exploring computational thinking and programming within K-12 and the broader community. Resources provide structured courses targeted at different age groups and mapped to US curriculum standards.
  • The Projects for Code Clubs (All). These include Scratch, Java & CSS + HTML. Intended to begin with Scratch for basics. There are the complete "programs" available and materials for the students to follow (step-by-step instructions, with challenges/questions where students can add their own flavour, e.g. background music). Could be used by teachers but intended for Club inspiration and projects, than explicit learning & teaching.
  • Resource via the NCWiT site. Introduce students to CS through AgentCubes, a 2-D and 3-D programming tool. Lessons included in the package that can be downloaded.
  • Tutorial-based activities on Khan Academy for the "Computing" subject area. "Computer Science" Stream. Learn select topics from computer science - algorithms (how we solve common problems in computer science and measure the efficiency of our solutions), cryptography (how we protect secret information), and information theory (how we encode and compress information).
  • CSTA Website - Curriculum Resources. "CS Principles": Computation in Action engages students in socially-relevant, project-based learning activities designed to foster computational thinking. Includes some lesson ideas for the topics: Algorithms, Data and Abstraction, Programming, The Internet and Impact.
  • The CSTA Computational Thinking Resource for K-12 teachers. Includes definitions, lesson examples and a "leadership" implementation document.
  • Tinkering Fundamentals (Coursera course). The Tinkering Fundamentals course helps educators and enthusiasts develop a practice of tinkering and making. The course focuses on key design elements of science-rich tinkering activities, effective facilitation strategies and environmental organisation.
  • Code Yourself! An Introduction to Programming (Coursera). How to program in Scratch and the fundamental principles of computing. 5 weeks, available March-April 2015. Designed for teenagers but could be for educators/ anyone.
  • Introduction to Programming in Scratch in Education MOOC (via CourseBuilder). Five module course takes you through the ins and outs of programming with Scratch and prepares teachers for introducing students to Scratch. Currently not running officially but course still open.
  • College of St. Scholastica - TeachIT App Inventor Course (CS4HS supported). Includes "computational thinking". Can no longer "participate" in the MOOC, but can view the resources and recorded Hangouts.
  • Creative Computing was a six-week online workshop for educators who want to learn more about using Scratch and supporting computational thinking in the classroom and other learning environments. The workshop was held in 2012 but the materials are still available online.
  • Edutopia curated collection of resources for teaching K-12 programming. Learners may access and also share resources, with a focus on coding and computer science concepts. Targetted at both parents and teachers.
  • Australian Curriculum Lessons website Collection of detailed lesson plans, and lesson plan sequences directly mapped to the Australian Curriculum.
  • Scratch (MIT Media Lab) hosted collection of Makey Makey-based projects. Available as an open resource for teachers and students to access and remix.
  • Scratch (MIT Media Lab) hosted gallery of Scratch-based music programs.
  • Dash and Dot (Wonder Workshop) - online collection of classroom activity ideas.
  • Scratch is a project of the Lifelong Kindergarten Group at the MIT Media Lab. Scratch is a free visual programming environment and online community designed to support young people (8+) learning to code.
  • ScratchEd is an online community where teachers exchange resources and share stories. It forms part of a connected set of resources, including ScratchJR targeting F-2, and Scratch, supporting 8+.
  • Kodu Game Lab Community. Kodu lets kids create games on the PC and Xbox via a simple visual programming language. Some of the curriculum resources aren't working (404s) but you can download the full zip file (40MB). There are some resources for teachers or a self-learn section of resources.
  • Blockly Games is a series of educational games that teach programming. It is designed for children who have not had prior experience with computer programming. By the end of these games, it is suggested that players are ready to use conventional text-based languages. Suitable introduction for all ages (and could be used for PL). Develop computational thinking skills.


(ACTDIP012) Explain how student solutions and existing information systems meet common personal, school or community needs

  • Systems Thinking (Digital Technologies Hub)
  • Scootle resources
  • Creating Digital Solutions (Digipubs - Victorian Department of Education)
  • Rubbish recording and reduction (Digital Technologies Hub) Students survey and collect data concerning what is brought to school each day and subsequently becomes rubbish. They then use Excel to represent that data in a variety of different ways.
  • Rubbish recording and reduction Part 2 (Digital Technologies Hub) Students survey and collect data concerning what is brought to school each day and subsequently becomes rubbish. They then use Excel to represent that data in a variety of different ways.
  • CS Unplugged: An enrichment and extension programme for primary-aged students Created by Tim Bell, Ian H. Witten and Mike Fellows (University of Canterbury)
  • ComputerScience Unplugged - webinar hosted by Digital Technologies Hub featuring Tim Bell. Downloadable slides available.
  • BBC Computer Science Classroom Resources. A comprehensive set of contextualised learning guides and classroom resources explicitly linked and constructed around the UK curriculum. Equivalent resources exist for the Design & Technology space.
  • CSTA Website - Curriculum Resources. "CS Principles": Computation in Action engages students in socially-relevant, project-based learning activities designed to foster computational thinking. Includes some lesson ideas for the topics: Algorithms, Data and Abstraction, Programming, The Internet and Impact.
  • Educade resource to use a Makey Makey as a game controller. Detailed lesson plan that discusses technology interfaces and materials.


(ACTDIP013)Plan, create and communicate ideas and information independently and with others, applying agreed ethical and social protocols

  • Digital Citizenship (Digital Technologies Hub)
  • Scootle resources
  • Rubbish recording and reduction (Digital Technologies Hub) Students survey and collect data concerning what is brought to school each day and subsequently becomes rubbish. They then use Excel to represent that data in a variety of different ways.
  • Rubbish recording and reduction Part 2 (Digital Technologies Hub) Students survey and collect data concerning what is brought to school each day and subsequently becomes rubbish. They then use Excel to represent that data in a variety of different ways.
  • BBC Computer Science Classroom Resources. A comprehensive set of contextualised learning guides and classroom resources explicitly linked and constructed around the UK curriculum. Equivalent resources exist for the Design & Technology space.
  • Common Sense Education Cross-curricular activities addressing the development of digital literacy, online safety, relationships and communication.
  • Cybersmart Australian Government Website Provides resources for parents and schools relating to online privacy, ethics and security concerns, including web-based resources, and downloadable lesson plans.
  • 5 Ps for a Positive Digital Footprint Board Game
  • Code.Org resource site for exploring computational thinking and programming within K-12 and the broader community. Resources provide structured courses targeted at different age groups and mapped to US curriculum standards.
  • CSTA Website - Curriculum Resources. "CS Principles": Computation in Action engages students in socially-relevant, project-based learning activities designed to foster computational thinking. Includes some lesson ideas for the topics: Algorithms, Data and Abstraction, Programming, The Internet and Impact.
  • The CSER (Uni of Adelaide) F-6 MOOC to support Digital Technologies Implementation. Covers various topics in the curriculum. Courses also available: F-6 Extended, Years 7&8 and 9-10 coming soon.
  • Teaching Ideas website, listing resources available for ICT and digital technologies. (UK based). Primarily contains resources on ICT literacy and cyber safety.
  • Thinkuknow National Crime Agency (UK) An online community education site addressing cyber safety and privacy issues.
  • Thinkuknow Australia Australian Federal Police. A website for teachers parents and carers (with additional resources for high school students)


Resources to support Key Concepts

(scroll down hyperlinked page to see Key Concepts explained)

Unpacking the curriculum: Ten key concepts (video)


Abstraction

  • CSTA Website - Curriculum Resources. "CS Principles": Computation in Action engages students in socially-relevant, project-based learning activities designed to foster computational thinking. Includes some lesson ideas for the topics: Algorithms, Data and Abstraction, Programming, The Internet and Impact.


Data collection, representation and interpretation

  • What is Data?
  • CSTA Website - Curriculum Resources. "CS Principles": Computation in Action engages students in socially-relevant, project-based learning activities designed to foster computational thinking. Includes some lesson ideas for the topics: Algorithms, Data and Abstraction, Programming, The Internet and Impact.


Specification, algorithms and implementation

  • Programming - introductory robotics - Beebots
  • CSTA Website - Curriculum Resources. "CS Principles": Computation in Action engages students in socially-relevant, project-based learning activities designed to foster computational thinking. Includes some lesson ideas for the topics: Algorithms, Data and Abstraction, Programming, The Internet and Impact.


Digital Systems

  • Digital Systems (Digital Technologies Hub)
  • Digital Systems (Digipubs - Victorian Department of Education)
  • CSTA Website - Curriculum Resources. "CS Principles": Computation in Action engages students in socially-relevant, project-based learning activities designed to foster computational thinking. Includes some lesson ideas for the topics: Algorithms, Data and Abstraction, Programming, The Internet and Impact.


Interactions and Impacts

  • Cyber Safety
  • 5 Ps for a Positive Digital Footprint Board Game
  • CSTA Website - Curriculum Resources. "CS Principles": Computation in Action engages students in socially-relevant, project-based learning activities designed to foster computational thinking. Includes some lesson ideas for the topics: Algorithms, Data and Abstraction, Programming, The Internet and Impact.


Resources to support Thinking Skills

(scroll down hyperlinked page to see Thinking Skills explained)

Computational Thinking

  • Barefoot Computing
  • Bebras Computational Thinking Challenge
  • CSTA Website - Curriculum Resources. "CS Principles": Computation in Action engages students in socially-relevant, project-based learning activities designed to foster computational thinking. Includes some lesson ideas for the topics: Algorithms, Data and Abstraction, Programming, The Internet and Impact.


Systems Thinking

  • Systems Thinking (Digital Technologies Hub)
  • Digital Systems (Digital Technologies Hub)
  • Digital Systems (Digipubs - Victorian Department of Education)
  • CSTA Website - Curriculum Resources. "CS Principles": Computation in Action engages students in socially-relevant, project-based learning activities designed to foster computational thinking. Includes some lesson ideas for the topics: Algorithms, Data and Abstraction, Programming, The Internet and Impact.


Design Thinking

Resources to support 3-4 Band

  • BBC Schools Computing
  • CSTA Website - Curriculum Resources. "CS Principles": Computation in Action engages students in socially-relevant, project-based learning activities designed to foster computational thinking. Includes some lesson ideas for the topics: Algorithms, Data and Abstraction, Programming, The Internet and Impact.
  • Quickstart Computing



Many thanks to Dr Rebecca Vivian, Research Fellow, Computer Science Education Research (CSER) Group at The University of Adelaide for generously sharing many of these links.