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VCE Applied Computing Units 1 and 2
Rationale:
Technology continues to evolve rapidly, providing opportunities for enterprising individuals to create new technologies and innovative uses for existing technologies. This study equips students with the knowledge and skills required to adapt to a dynamic technological landscape, including the ability to identify emerging technologies, envisage new uses for digital technologies and consider the benefits that these technologies can bring to society at a local and at a global level.
VCE Applied Computing facilitates student-centred learning that enables students to build capabilities in critical and creative thinking, and to develop communication and collaboration, and personal, social and information and communications technology (ICT) skills. Students are provided with practical opportunities and choices to create digital solutions for real-world problems in a range of settings.
VCE Applied Computing provides a pathway to further studies in areas such as business analysis, computer science, cybersecurity, data analytics and data science, data management, games development, ICT, networks, robotics, software engineering and telecommunications, and other careers relating to digital technologies.
Structure:
Unit 1: Applied Computing
In this unit students are introduced to the stages of the problem-solving methodology. Students focus on how data can be used within software tools such as databases and spreadsheets to create data visualisations, and the use of programming languages to develop working software solutions.
In Area of Study 1, as an introduction to data analytics, students respond to a teacher-provided analysis of requirements and designs to identify and collect data in order to present their findings as data visualisations. They present work that includes database, spreadsheet and data visualisations solutions. In Area of Study 2 students select and use a programming language to create a working software solution. Students prepare, document and monitor project plans and engage in all stages of the problem-solving methodology.
Software tools
The following table indicates the software tools that students are required to both study and use in this unit.
Area of Study 1
Database software, spreadsheet software and data visualisation software.
Area of Study 2
An appropriate programming language.
Unit 2: Applied Computing
In this unit students focus on developing innovative solutions to needs or opportunities that they have identified, and propose strategies for reducing security risks to data and information in a networked environment.
In Area of Study 1 students work collaboratively and select a topic for further study to create an innovative solution in an area of interest. The innovative solution can be presented as a proof of concept, a prototype or a product. Students engage in all areas of the problem-solving methodology. In Area of Study 2, as an introduction to cybersecurity, students investigate networks and the threats, vulnerabilities and risks to data and information. They propose strategies to protect the data accessed using a network.
Software tools
The following table indicates the software tools that students are required to both study and use in this unit.
Area of Study 1
Any software tools used to create an innovative solution, for example a programming language, spreadsheet software, web-authoring software, presentation software, tool for planning a project.
Area of Study 2
A software tool to represent a network.
Entry:
Prior to entry into Unit 1 and 2 Applied Computing, students are strongly advised to take Digital Technology in years 9 and 10 to develop a satisfactory skill level in text based programming. The text based programming language used in VCE Applied Computing at Warrnambool College is Python.
Students should also have satisfactory levels in both Mathematics and English in year 10.
Assessment:
Units 1 and Unit 2: These units are assessed internally, including end of year exams. Internal assessment includes folios of programmed software solutions, reports, presentations, topic tests and assignments.
Contact Time:
Contact Time:
Lessons per week:
3 Periods
Subject duration:
Year Long
Head of Technology:
Maree Brennan
VCE Applied Computing: Software Development Units 3 and 4
Unit 3: Applied Computing: Software Development
In this unit students apply the problem-solving methodology to develop working software modules using a programming language. Students develop an understanding of the analysis, design and development stages of the problem-solving methodology.
In Area of Study 1 students respond to teacher-provided solution requirements and designs and develop a set of working modules through the use of a programming language. Students examine a simple software requirements specification and a range of software design tools in order to apply specific processing features of a programming language to create working modules.
In Area of Study 2 students analyse a need or opportunity, select an appropriate development model, prepare a project plan, develop a software requirements specification and design a software solution.
Software tools
Area of study 1
An appropriate programming language (Python, HTML/CSS, PHP, SQL)
Area of study 2
Unified Modelling Language (UML) and UML tools to create use cases.
Appropriate tools for documenting project plans.
Unit 4: Applied Computing: Software Development
In this unit students focus on how the information needs of individuals and organisations are met through the creation of software solutions. They consider the risks to software and data during the software development process, as well as throughout the use of the software solution by an organisation.
In Area of Study 1 students apply the problem-solving stages of development and evaluation to develop their preferred design prepared in Unit 3, Area of Study 2, into a software solution and evaluate the solution.
Entry:
Prior to entry into Unit 3 and 4 Applied Computing Software Development, students are strongly advised to take Applied Computing Units 1 and 2 to develop a satisfactory skill level in text based programming. The text based programming language used in VCE Applied Computing Software Development at Warrnambool College is Python or a combination of HTML/CSS, PHP and SQL.
Students should also have satisfactory levels in both Mathematics and English in year 10.
Assessment:
The student’s level of achievement in Unit 3, Outcome 2, and Unit 4, Outcome 1, will be assessed through a School-assessed Task.
The level of achievement for Units 3 and 4 is also assessed by an end-of-year examination, which will contribute 50 per cent to the study score.
Contact Time:
Contact Time:
Lessons per week:
3 Periods
Subject duration:
Year Long
Further information:
Further information:
Head of Technology
Duane Collinson
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