Kaua e rangiruatia te hāpai o te hoe; e kore tō tātou waka e ū ki uta.
Technology is intervention by design. It uses intellectual and practical resources to create technological outcomes, which expand human possibilities by addressing needs and realising opportunities. Effective and ethical design respects the unique relationship that New Zealanders have with their physical environment and embraces the significance of Māori culture and world views in its practice and innovation. - New Zealand Curriculum
This course offers a combination of both external and internal assessment
Course endorsement available
CLICK ON THE QUESTIONS TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE COURSE
You live in a Digital World. A long time ago someone came up with the term “digital native” to describe your generation - people who have grown up with technology all around them. What we realise now is that a digital native knows how to consume digital material, but they usually don’t know how to produce it. This is your chance to make that shift from consumer to producer. Learn how to produce digital content within the context of video games.
The other aspect of the course is digital project management. How are large digital projects organised and managed? How are they different from non-digital projects? Do you reflect on how you work, or would you like to?
What you learn in 12DTG will be transferable to other subjects or areas of your life, but it might also lead to media, design, programming, video game design at tertiary level.
In Year 12 Digital Technology (Game Development) you will focus on:
Developing skills in programming - we intend for you to develop skills in programming in a Python type language, creating game environments in GoDot game engine.
Developing skills in digital media - we intend for you to develop skills in developing graphic media skills using the Adobe suite of products and the 3D modelling software - Blender.
Effective project management for digital projects – you will consider how to manage time, resources, and assets effectively to complete a large project. You will also work in an iterative manner, breaking your entire outcome down into separate components and working on them one by one.
You will learn about video games, video game design, programming, development in GoDot Game Engine, graphic design, design principles and more.
As the year progresses you will find an increasing amount of independence, to reflect your growing skill level and your understanding of your project. This will then lead perfectly to the external assessment where you will be asked to reflect on a digital technologies project, including the types of decisions you made and what you would improve about how you worked, if it were possible.
Recommended prior learning includes having taken Digital Technology at Year 11. If you are unsure of choosing 12DTG due to prior learning the HOD will meet with you to discuss your plans and ensure this pathway meets your needs.
Your learning in this course will be assessed through two projects.
Project 1 - Develop a game using GoDot game engine.
Project 2 - Design and make a major game using GoDot and creating an asset using Blender.
The external assessment is a Common Assessment Task (in-school digital examination).
NZQA Digital Technology Subject Resources
See the NZQA Digital Technologies subject resources web page (https://www.nzqa.govt.nz/ncea/subjects/digital-technologies/levels/)
School Policy for NCEA Assessment
You should be aware of the school procedures for NCEA assessment. They can be found on the school website at this link. There you will find answers to frequently asked questions about how NCEA works as well as guidance about how to apply for extensions, reconsiderations or the process for withdrawing from a standard.
We hope you have a successful and interesting year!
Thomas Han Stevenson is in charge of Digital Technologies – please feel free to contact him: