Digital technologies / Foundation to Year 2 / Digital Technologies Processes and Production Skills

Curriculum content descriptions

Follow, describe and represent a sequence of steps and decisions (algorithms) needed to solve simple problems (ACTDIP004)

Elaborations
  • experimenting with very simple, step-by-step procedures to explore programmable devices, for example providing instructions to physical or virtual objects or robotic devices to move in an intended manner, such as following a path around the classroom
  • writing and entering a simple set of instructions jointly to sequence events and instructions, for example scanning personal photographs and collating and ordering significant personal events or milestones and describing the steps involved in the process
  • presenting a sequence of instructions or events in a series of slides or screens with text and pictures
  • recognising sequences of instructions or events that are commonly experienced such as the sequence of traffic lights or instructions for recording a TV show or how their lunch order is taken and delivered
  • following a series of instructions to use a piece of hardware or software, for example taking a photograph, editing and storing it to include in a slow motion
General capabilities
  • Literacy Literacy
  • Numeracy Numeracy
  • Critical and creative thinking Critical and creative thinking
  • ICT capability Information and Communication Technology (ICT) capability
ScOT terms

Algorithms

Downloadable

ACARA sample assessment task (F-2)

This sample assessment task has been prepared to assist teachers with the implementation of the Australian Curriculum: Digital Technologies, with a particular focus on data. It shows how aspects of the Digital Technologies curriculum related to data can be assessed using contexts from other learning areas and subjects. ...

Assessment

Assessment resources

Browse assessment resources.

Online

Can AI guess your emotion?

Discuss emotions as a class, and introduce the idea of artificial intelligence (AI). This lesson can also be used to introduce image classification – a key application of AI. Developed in collaboration with Digital Technologies Institute.

Online

Getting to know Bee-Bot

Students are introduced to the Bee-Bot as a robotic device. They learn about what the Bee-Bot is, the functions and how the Bee-Bot can be used for specific purposes. They learn how to develop a sequence of steps for the Bee-Bot to follow. This lesson idea was created by Rebecca Vivian.

Online

What's the buzz?

In this lesson students use BeeBots and Scratch Junior to synthesize what they know about Bees and are introduced to mapping concepts. This lesson idea was created by Karen Butler.

Online

An introduction into algorithms

This is a unit for Years F-1 from the Scope and sequence resources from the DT Hub. The topic of algorithms is organised into four key elements. Use this flow of activities to plan and assess students against the relevant achievement standards. Students explore algorithms through guided play, including hands-on, kinaesthetic ...

Online

Visual programming

Find out about Visual programming. Use this topic from the Digital Technologies Hub to learn more, get ideas about how to teach about it, find out what other schools are doing and use the applications and games in the classroom.

Online

Computational thinking

Find out about Computational thinking. Use this topic from the Digital Technologies Hub to learn more, get ideas about how to teach about it, find out what other schools are doing and use the applications and games in the classroom.

Online

Design thinking

Find out about Design thinking. Use this topic from the Digital Technologies Hub to learn more, get ideas about how to teach about it, find out what other schools are doing and use the applications and games in the classroom.

Online

Game-based learning

Find out about Game-based learning. Use this topic from the Digital Technologies Hub to learn more, get ideas about how to teach about it, find out what other schools are doing and use the applications and games in the classroom.

Online

Robotics

Find out about robotics. Use this topic from the Digital Technologies Hub to learn more, get ideas about how to teach about it, find out what other schools are doing and use the applications and games in the classroom.

Online

Girls in tech

Find out about Girls in tech. Use this topic from the Digital Technologies Hub to learn more, get ideas about how to teach about it, find out what other schools are doing and use the applications and games in the classroom.

Video

Hour of Code: Chris Bosh teaches Repeat Until statements

The Hour of Code is a one-hour introduction to computer science, designed to demystify code and show that anybody can learn the basics. In this video, basketball star Chris Bosh explains the difference between a Repeat Until command and a Repeat Loop command. This is the third of seven clips in the Hour of Code tutorial. ...

Video

Hour of Code: Mark Zuckerberg teaches Repeat Loops

The Hour of Code is a one-hour introduction to computer science, designed to demystify code and show that anybody can learn the basics. In this instructional video, Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg explains what a Repeat Loop is and how to use the repeat block. This is the second of seven clips in the Hour of Code tutorial. To ...

Video

Hour of Code: Introduction

The Hour of Code is a one-hour introduction to computer science, designed to demystify code and show that anybody can learn the basics.  This video explains what computer science is and what a computer programmer does. This is the first of seven clips in the Hour of Code tutorial. To try your hand at coding visit learn.code.org

Video

Unplugged Activity: What is computer science?

Do you know what a computer programmer does? Watch as some experts in the field explain. For more information on the activities introduced in this video, visit http://learn.code.org/s/1/level/1

Interactive

Scratch Jr - Google Play app

Learn programming skills by snapping together programming blocks. Make characters walk, jump, dance and sing. Add your own voice or modify your own characters and make your own interactive story. Free when reviewed on 12/5/2015.

Interactive

The Foos: Free Code Hour - Google Play app

Learn programming skills by animating characters in the puzzle levels. Use your new programming skills to create interactions between characters in the 'toy box' area. Free when reviewed on 12/5/2015.

Online

Algorithms

Find out about algorithms. Use this topic from the Digital Technologies Hub to learn more, get ideas about how to teach about it, find out what other schools are doing and use the applications and games in the classroom.

Video

Activities that promote Digital Technologies concepts and incorporate Numeracy: part 6: Using literature as a springboard to Numeracy and Digital Technologies

This video provides suggestions for ways in which Digital Technologies can be used to develop students' learning in the Literacy and Numeracy Learning Progressions.

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Computational thinking cut out cards

This set of printable cards provides definitions of six aspects of computational thinking.

Video

Computational thinking in the Australian Curriculum: Digital Technologies

This video provides an overview of computational thinking and how it can be taught in the context of other learning areas.

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Voskoglou & Buckley review: Problem solving and computational thinking

This article explores the relationship between computational and critical thinking as it applies to solving technological problems. Research evidence derived from classroom experiments strongly suggests that using computers to solve problems enhances students’ abilities in solving real-world problems involving mathematical ...

Interactive

Bear and Chook by the Sea

This learning object is designed around a series of videos with Lisa Shanahan, author, and Emma Quay, illustrator, including a reading experience of their collaborative work, Bear and Chook by the Sea. Taken as a whole, this sequence of lessons is a Stage 1 unit of work that results in students working in pairs to produce ...

Online

Buzzing with Bee-Bots

This learning sequence Buzzing with Bee-Bots can be used to develop foundation skills in computational thinking and to develop an awareness of personal experiences using digital technologies. Students follow and describe a series of steps to program a floor robot. They plan a route to program a robot to follow a path and ...

Online

Maker spaces

Find out about Maker spaces. Use this topic from the Digital Technologies Hub to learn more, get ideas about how to teach about it, find out what other schools are doing and use the applications and games in the classroom.

Text

Understanding algorithms and the smiley face biscuit challenge: years F-2

This PDF provides suggestions for introducing students to algorithms by sequencing words, images and actions.

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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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Australian Curriculum: Digital Technologies key concepts mapping: yrs F-2

This PDF uses colour coding to provide a line of sight between key concepts, content descriptions and achievement standards in the Digital Technologies subject in the Australian Curriculum.

Video

Expert webinar video: Professor Tim Bell – Computational thinking

In this video, Professor Tim Bell discusses helpful ways of understanding and teaching computational thinking, a key idea of the Australian Curriculum: Technologies.

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Australian Curriculum: Digital Technologies - Foundation to year 2

This PDF provides a line of sight from content descriptions to achievement standards.

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Computational thinking in practice: parent and teacher cards: years F-2

This set of printable cards describe ways in which computational thinking can be applied when carrying out simple everyday tasks.

Video

Expert webinar video: Nathan Alison, Digital Learning and Teaching Victoria (DLTV): Focus on systems thinking. How do we teach it well?

Nathan Alison from Digital Learning and Teaching Victoria (DLTV) explains what systems thinking is and how it is used in the context of Digital Technologies. Nathan explains what we need to consider when teaching digital systems, covering topics such as networks, hardware and software protocols, people and processes.

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Computational thinking poster

This infographic provides an overview overview of the concepts related to computational thinking.

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Australian Curriculum: Digital Technologies Years F-2 Sample Assessment Task: Digital Systems - Presentation materials

The Digital systems presentation materials to support the assessment task provides a scaffold to teach about and assess students’ understanding of how digital systems can be used to collect data about the school environment. Students are guided to use digital systems such as photo apps on digital devices and online maps ...

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Data interpretation: organise data by classifying, grouping and sorting objects

This PDF provides suggestions for organising and classifying discrete items according to different criteria, for example, shape, size, colour and type, and prompts students to identify ways in which school resources have been classified.

Video

Expert webinar video: In conversation with Paul Mead from She Maps: A wide-ranging discussion from women in Technology and unconscious bias to digital systems and the ethical and safety considerations of using drone technologies

Paul Mead, from STEM education provider She Maps, discusses unconscious bias in young students and how She Maps is spreading the word about women who work with technologies in the field. He discusses digital systems and explains how geospatial systems and geographical information systems are used to collect, analyse and ...

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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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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.

Video

Expert webinar video: Russell Scott - Vortals: Augmented reality, virtual reality, 2D, 3D and game design lessons

Russell Scott, Co-Founder of multimedia design company Vortals, demonstrates some of the ways he teaches students about augmented reality, virtual reality, 2D, 3D and game design.

Interactive

Scratch Jr - iTunes app

Learn programming skills by snapping together programming blocks. Make characters walk, jump, dance and sing. Add your own voice or modify your own characters and make your own interactive story. Free when reviewed on 12/5/2015.