Digital technologies / Year 5 and 6 / Digital Technologies Processes and Production Skills

Curriculum content descriptions

Design a user interface for a digital system (ACTDIP018)

Elaborations
  • exploring different features of user interfaces that allow people from different cultures to access information irrespective of language background, for example using icons and consistently placing icons or symbols in games interfaces to reduce the frustrations of game players
  • applying the principles and elements of design to a set of requirements in order to produce a user interface for a system that addresses an identified need, for example to emphasise or highlight an area of the screen to draw the viewer’s attention to an event or action
  • designing the user interface of a solution using different design tools, for example using a storyboard to outline the stages of a game or a mock-up to show the placement of icons
  • generating and considering alternative designs for a user interface, for example sketching different concepts for a splash screen of a game or interactive multimedia experience
General capabilities
  • Critical and creative thinking Critical and creative thinking
  • ICT capability Information and Communication Technology (ICT) capability
ScOT terms

Information and communication technologies,  Design,  User interfaces

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Classroom ideas: Choose your own adventure: years 3-6

This PDF provides a sequence of activities that allow students to view and create planning templates and algorithms when making 'Choose Your Own Adventure' stories. Older students can use the visual programming language Scratch to build their stories.

Online

Sustainable travel

In this sequence of learning, students design and pitch ideas for an app that informs users of the cost associated with various forms of transport. They investigate the costs and environmental impact of forms of transport, including public transport. They then explore ideas for designing an app to allow commuters to track ...

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Classroom ideas: Micro:bit environmental measurement (visual and general-purpose programming): years 5-8

This tutorial shows ways in which environmental factors such as lighting and temperature can be measured and improved using micro:bits and sensor boards, and programmed using pseudocode, visual programming and general-purpose programming.

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Classroom ideas: Micro:bit environmental measurement (visual programming): years 5-6

This tutorial shows ways in which environmental factors such as lighting and temperature can be measured and improved using micro:bits and sensor boards, and programmed using pseudocode and visual programming.

Video

Scratch coder

Build a simple yet engaging game from the ground up, all within the free block coding program Scratch.Scratch is a browser-based open-source game engine free for anyone to use. Scratch uses block coding, meaning you can learn how to code us-ing pre-programmed blocks, rather than typing out long lines of code to create a ...

Video

Game builder

Game Builder is an online resource for teachers and students making their very first videogame, and for those who have some experience already. There’s more to a good game than good code! As with most creative projects, success comes from good ideas and thorough preparation. This resource will take you through the building ...

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Classroom ideas: exploring digital technologies through shopping: years 3-6

This PDF demonstrates how using concepts derived from age-appropriate content, combined with multiple points of entry to and exit from a shopping-related task might remove barriers to learning. Students engage in purposeful and authentic open-ended explorations that require critical and creative thinking and incorporate ...

Downloadable

DT Challenge - 5/6 Blockly - Networking with Micro:Bit

Learn how to code the micro:bit to use the radio! In this DT Mini Challenge, you can create wireless networks to send pictures and messages around the room! You'll start by sending simple messages, but work up to making your own interactive games with your friends! Dive on in and you'll be sending secret messages in no time!

Downloadable

DT Challenge - 5/6 Blockly - Sport Micro:Bit

Use blocks to program a micro:bit for sport! Get excited about coding even if you have no experience. You'll use drag-and-drop blocks to write your own programs, and make interactive games and tools to improve your health.

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Years 5–6: Designing a digital solution

This scope and sequence unit explores the user-centred design process through three different pathways that incorporate visual programming.

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Years 5–6: App design

This scope and sequence unit enables students to explore app design, through a process of problem definition, prototyping and evaluation. Students explore concepts of user interface design, design criteria and user stories. They use visual programs including variables, input and control structures to produce an app.

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Designing a school tuckshop app

In this lesson students think like software engineers and engage in user-centred design to conceptualise and prototype an app that could be used in their school tuckshop.

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DT Challenge - 5/6 Blockly - Smart Garden

Learn how to program a BBC micro:bit using Blockly — no experience required. Learn the basics of programming in Blockly with our full BBC micro:bit simulator. Create a Smart Garden device to monitor the health of your plants, measuring temperature and wiring up a simple soil moisture sensor.

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DT Challenge - 5/6 Blockly - Space Invaders

In this coding challenge, students learn about programming in Blockly, including data representation, decomposition, design, branching, iteration, functions, variables, animations, tracing and evaluation.