Digital technologies / Year 5 and 6 / Digital Technologies Knowledge and Understanding

Curriculum content descriptions

Examine the main components of common digital systems and how they may connect together to form networks to transmit data (ACTDIK014)

Elaborations
  • describing digital systems as having internal and external components that perform different functions, for example external components for inputting data including keyboard, microphone, stylus; internal processing components including the central processing unit; external output components including speakers, projector, screen; and data and information storage components including cloud and external devices
  • explaining how data may be transmitted between two digital systems in different ways, for example that wires or cables are used in wired networks to transfer data from one digital system to another, and radio waves are used to transmit data in wireless or mobile networks
  • investigating how the internal and external components of digital systems are coordinated to handle data, for example how a keyboard, central processing unit and screen work together to accept, manipulate and present data and information
  • investigating how emerging digital systems work, for example using an augmented reality app (or blended reality) and considering how images of real-world objects can be blended with computer-generated information to produce a virtual reality
General capabilities
  • Literacy Literacy
  • Critical and creative thinking Critical and creative thinking
  • ICT capability Information and Communication Technology (ICT) capability
ScOT terms

Software,  User interfaces,  Computers,  Internet

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Australian Curriculum: Digital Technologies Years F-6 achievement standards and aligned content descriptions on a page

This PDF presents content descriptions and achievement standards for the Digital Technologies subject in the Australian Curriculum

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Asunda review: STEM integration

This article explores the benefits of an interdisciplinary STEM program in the quest for providing students with a holistic approach to problem-solving that reflects real-world practice. This is supported by a conceptual framework that comprises four constructs: systems thinking, situation learning theory, constructivism ...

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Kim review: Systems thinking

This article explores the types of systems in our world, their characteristics and how our behaviour can initiate and respond to changes in their performance. The author differentiates between systems thinking and a system and elaborates on those factors that contribute to systemic behaviour.

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Newsletter – December 2020

This newsletter from the Digital Technologies in Focus project includes information about schools' projects, assessment tasks, the Australian Curriculum, useful links, and resources.

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Newsletter – July 2018

This newsletter from the Digital Technologies in Focus project includes information about schools' projects, the Australian Curriculum and useful resources.

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Mossman State School – PL ecosystem

This document illustrates the network of people and resources that make up Mossman State School's Professional Learning ecosystem.

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St James Catholic College – Project proposal

This PDF outlines St James Catholic College's proposal to participate in the Digital Technologies in Focus project.

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Green Hill Public School

Green Hill Public School is a small school located in Kempsey, New South Wales, on the Traditional Lands of the Djangadi/Dhangatti Peoples. It has recently expanded from a K–4 to a K–6 school. It has 28 students, 96 per cent of whom identify as Aboriginal and or Torres Strait Islander. Green Hill Public School was a finalist ...

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South Kalgoorlie Primary School – Timeline

This document presents the milestones in South Kalgoorlie Primary School's participation in the Digital Technologies in Focus project.

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Planning an action research project to facilitate implementation of Digital Technologies

This document includes ideas for planning and developing action research projects to facilitate implementation of digital technologies.

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Easterbrook review: Systems thinking and Computational thinking

This article explores how the relationship between systems thinking and computational thinking would provide a conceptual basis for transformational change – change that considers the social and environmental impact of technology.

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Volmert et al. review: STEM learning

This report examines the similarities and differences in the understandings about STEM education between experts and the general public in some American states. The authors contend that one of the most interesting findings is the role of Science: the general public equates STEM as Science, whereas the experts view all STEM ...

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Archived newsletters

This webpage features archived newsletters from the Digital Technologies in Focus project. The newsletters include information about schools' projects, assessment tasks, the Australian Curriculum and resources.

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Newsletter – April 2020

This newsletter from the Digital Technologies in Focus project includes information about schools' projects, workshops, computational thinking, the Australian Curriculum, and useful resources.

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Newsletter – April 2019

This newsletter from the Digital Technologies in Focus project includes information about school projects, data representation, the Australian Curriculum, and useful resources.

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South Kalgoorlie Primary School

South Kalgoorlie Primary School is located in Kalgoorlie, Western Australia, on the Traditional Lands of the Wangkatja people of the North-Eastern Goldfields. It has about 450 students. Deanne Poole is the curriculum officer who works directly with the school to support the implementation of the Digital Technologies curriculum. ...

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South Kalgoorlie Primary School – Project proposal

This PDF outlines South Kalgoorlie Primary School's proposal to participate in the Digital Technologies in Focus project.

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Books for exploring digital technologies concepts

This PDF provides a list of books that are useful for exploring key concepts and ideas in Digital Technologies.

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Digital Technologies teacher self-assessment matrix

These matrices allow teachers to self-assess their proficiency with Digital Technologies. They include a notes section for teachers to plan future professional learning.

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Supporting Digital Technologies curriculum in schools

This PDF lists seven ways in which schools can support the Digital Technologies curriculum