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

Video

How 'binary information' is communicated via the internet

Ever wondered how your photos, emails and messages get sent between devices? Watch as software engineer Tess Winlock explains what binary information is, and how it gets from one place to another. Can you explain what 'bits' are? How about 'bytes'? In the past, binary information was sent using physical systems like semaphore ...

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ACARA sample assessment task: years 5-6: Representing data

This resource provides strategies for assessing aspects of the Digital Technologies subject in the Australian Curriculum that relate to the representation of data in binary code. The resource includes an assessment planner and rubric, as well as links to curriculum and learning resources.

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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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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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Supporting Digital Technologies curriculum in schools

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

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Technologies: sequence of achievement in the Australian Curriculum

This Word document provides sequences of achievement standards for the Technologies learning area in the Australian Curriculum

Video

South Kalgoorlie Primary School – Progress report 1

This video explains the progress that South Kalgoorlie Primary School has made in the Digital Technologies in Focus project. It is the first in a series of four.

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Curzon & Bell et al. review: Computational thinking

This article explores the concept of computational thinking within computer science learning and in relation to other learning areas. The authors assert that because of its focus on analysis, computational thinking is not only suitable for computation but also the development of systems-based on computation.

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Newsletter – December 2019

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

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Newsletter – June 2021

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

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Newsletter – July 2019

This newsletter from the Digital Technologies in Focus project includes information about an On Country staff development day with Leonara District High School, cybersecurity, the Australian Curriculum, and useful resources.

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Newsletter – April 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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Newsletter – December 2017

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

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School stories

This webpage provides users with a menu of schools whose experiences with Digital Technologies are described in detail.

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Alyangula Area School

Alyangula Area School is a government school located in Alyangula on Groote Eylandt, in the Northern Territory on the Traditional Lands of the Anindilyakwa People. Martin Levins is one of ACARA’s curriculum officers who works directly with the school to support the implementation of the Australian Curriculum: Digital Technologies. ...

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Bethany Christian School – Project proposal

This PDF outlines Bethany Christian School's proposal to participate in the Digital Technologies in Focus project.

Video

Alyangula Area School – Progress report 1

This video is a summary of a progress report into the implementation of Digital Technologies in the Alyangula Area School.

Audio

Green Hill Public School – Podcast

This podcast includes information about the aims, challenges, insights and accomplishments of Green Hill Public School's participation in the Digital Technologies in Focus project.

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St Mary’s Primary School – Timeline

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

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Professional learning workshops

This webpage provides details of ten workshops that focus on understanding and implementing the Australian Curriculum: Digital Technologies. The workshops are provided for Digital Technologies in Focus project schools and, where possible, schools not involved in the project.