Year 11 Digital Technology
Course Description
Teacher in Charge: Ms J. Ah-Sam.
"One machine can do the work of fifty ordinary men.
No machine can do the work of one extraordinary man."
Elbert Hubbard (Author)
What is Technology?
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.
Technology makes enterprising use of knowledge, skills and practices for exploration and communication, some specific to areas within technology and some from other disciplines. These include digitally-aided design, programming, software development, various forms of technological modelling, and visual literacy – the ability to make sense of images and the ability to make images that make sense.
At Wesley College we offer Digital Technology, Hospitality and Construction at Level 1. This is a progression from the Year 9 and 10 Technology Curriculum. This provides both an academic and vocational pathway for students, and contihnues the development of knowledge and skills to support students to be successful within the Technology department.
What is Digital Technology?
This course aims to ignite students' interest in digital technology and help them identify which area aligns best with their skills and interests. Students will explore various facets of digital technology to determine their preferred focus and future direction. The course covers a wide range of topics within three main categories:
- Programming - INTERNAL
- Developing a Digital Media Outcome - INTERNAL
- Designing a Technology Outcome - INTERNAL
- Human-Computer Interaction - EXTERNAL
Course Overview
Term 1
Term One will focus on three key elements:
Part One: Digital Technologies overview
This lays the foundation from the which the remainider of year is built upon. We start by looking at a general overview and introduction to the idea of the impact of technology on humans and the world around us. The focus will be the impacts of social media; video games; filmmaking and animation as modes of communication.
Part 2: Introduction to Animation
Learning basic techniques in animation (drawing, text tools; keyframes, motion, easing; basic video editing), concentrating on planning skills (identifying an audience, communication purpose; storytelling; storyboarding).
Part 3: Introduction to Web Design
Overview and history of the internet and web design; reviewing examples of web development; the purposes of web design; different types of websites. Focus of gaining basic HTML and CSS skills and techniques (structure tags; headings; paragraphs; lists; images; anchor tags with link to internal pages and external websites; semantic tags; CSS for styling). Concentration on identifying an audience, communication purpose; layout design and hierarchy of information and wireframing for prototyping.
All class activities are to practice skills and provide an opportunity for formative feedback in preparation for assessment in Terms 2 and 3.
Term 2
Outcome Design
Reinforcing the ideas around the purposes of websites and animations and the need to make them appropriate for the target audience. They can be used as tools to communicate a message, connect people, engage people, or for entertainment. You will choose between designing a website or animation.
Work produced as part of this project contribute directly to the assessment of AS92007 (1.4: Design a digital technologies outcome) – five credits, assessed externally.
Outcome Development
Building on earlier learning, ākonga follow a technological process to develop their animation or website. Class exercises teach about managing timeframes and about effective feedback and testing strategies.
Learning covered and work produced contribute directly to the assessment of AS92005 (1.2: Develop a digital technologies outcome) – five credits, assessed internally.
No further assessment opportunities available for these units.
Final submission of Term 2 assessments due end of Week 2, Term 3.
Term 3
Programming
Review of different programming languages / platforms to demonstrate programming concepts are very similar across different languages.
Learning covered and work produced contribute directly to the assessment of AS92004 (1.1: Create a computer program using the assessment activity 1.1b The Quiz).
No further assessment opportunities available for this unit.
Final submission of Term 3 assessment due end of Week 2, Term 4.
Term 4
Working Life Skills
Reinforcing vital foundational knowledge, skills and understanding required to be productive within IT working life.
Learning covered and work produced contribute directly to the assessment of US18743 (Level 1: Produce a spreadsheet from instructions using supplied data) – two credits
US2792 (Level 1: Produce simple desktop published documents using templates) – two credits; US5946 (Level 1: Use computer technology to create and deliver a presentation from given content) – three credits.
No further assessment opportunities available for these units.
Final submission of these assessments due end of Week 6, Term 3.
Recommended Prior Learning
Prerequisites
Ākonga of Digital Technologies:
Have a passion for programming and coding
Are secure in their knowledge and understanding of Python
Are able to manage their own online diary/scheduling to meet deadlines
Can manage their own file management structure – both online and personal/school computers
Can work independently both in-class and in own time
Can confidently seek help when needing further guidance/support
Contributions and Equipment/Stationery
Equipment
Pencil case containing pens – 1x red, 1x blue, 1x black; pencil; eraser; ruler; highlighters (3 min)
Refill pad & folder OR 1B5 exercise book - for note taking
Diary OR Student Planner
Chromebook – as a minimum. Preferable is a laptop with a minimum of 4GB RAM; 128GB memory, internet capability to connect to School portal to run Adobe Creative Suite and MS Office; ability to download Python 3.12 to desktop; mouse (USB or Bluetooth)
USB Flash drive – 128GB is sufficient.
Assessment Information
There will be no further assessment opportunities for all Digital Technologies units.Credit Information
You will be assessed in this course through all or a selection of the standards listed below.
This course is eligible for subject endorsement.
This course is approved for University Entrance.
External
NZQA Info
Use computer technology to create and deliver a presentation from given content
NZQA Info
Digital Technologies 1.1 - Create a computer program
NZQA Info
Digital Technologies 1.2 - Develop a digital technologies outcome
NZQA Info
Digital Technologies 1.3 - Demonstrate understanding of usability in human-computer interfaces
Pathway Tags
Diagnostic Radiologist, Anaesthetic Technician, Telecommunications Technician, Software Engineer, Animator, Digital Artist, Information Technology Manager, Information Technology Architect, Network Manager, Website Designer, Graphic Designer, Digital Printer, Digital Content Creator, Media Producer, Sales and Marketing Manager, Copywriter, Film/Television Camera Operator, Management Consultant, Jornalist, Project Manager, Games Developer, Social Media Content Creator, Digital Designer, Secondary School Teacher, Tertiary Lecturer, Digital Engineering Technician, Mechanical Technician, Records Adviser, Security Analyst, Energy & Chemical Plant Operator, Photographer, Systems Administrator, Security Consultant, Testing Analyst, Geospatial Specialist, Technical Writer, Garment Technician, Editor, Communications Professional, Telecommunications Engineer, Naval Architect, Biomedical Technician, Production Assistant (Film, Television, Radio, Stage),