The Australian Curriculum: Technologies describes two distinct but related subjects:
Design and Technologies, in which students use design thinking and technologies to generate and produce designed solutions for authentic needs and opportunities
Digital Technologies, in which students use computational thinking and information systems to define, design and implement digital solutions.
Design and Technologies knowledge and understanding – the use, development and impact of technologies and design ideas across a range of technologies contexts
Design and Technologies processes and production skills – the skills needed to create designed solutions.
Teaching and learning programs should balance and integrate both strands. Students learn about technologies and society through different technologies contexts (knowledge and understanding) as they create designed solutions (processes and production skills).
Digital Technologies knowledge and understanding – the information system components of data, and digital systems (hardware, software and networks)
Digital Technologies processes and production skills – using digital systems to create ideas and information, and to define, design and implement digital solutions, and evaluate these solutions and existing information systems against specified criteria.
Teaching and learning programs will typically integrate these, as content in processes and production skills frequently draws on understanding of concepts in the knowledge and understanding strand.
Design and Technologies
Students become familiar with and gain skills using a range of software applications and digital hardware that enable them to realise their design ideas.
Digital Technologies
Students develop an understanding of the characteristics of data, digital systems, audiences, procedures and computational thinking. They apply this when they investigate, communicate and create digital solutions.
ICT capabilities enables students to be able to use ICTs effectively and know which ICTs to select for specific tasks. It also involves learning about safe use and practice.
The difference between “using ICT” and “creating ICT” is like the difference between using/playing a game and being able to design and create a game.
Ideas and Examples of units
Age Friendly City
Cities and communities are taking active steps towards becoming more age-friendly. An age-friendly world enables people of all ages to actively participate in community activities. This unit provides students with the opportunity to propose solutions for an age-friendly city, using prototyping as a strategy to critically and creatively problem solve. Students research the challenge, develop and communicate ideas, and prototype solutions using littleBits, while developing an understanding of the basics of circuitry.
Design and Technology
Plan, create and communicate ideas and information, including collaboratively online, applying agreed ethical, social and technical protocols (ACTDIP022
Investigate characteristics and properties of a range of materials, systems, components, tools and equipment and evaluate the impact of their use (ACTDEK023
Critique needs or opportunities for designing, and investigate materials, components, tools, equipment and processes to achieve intended designed solutions (ACTDEP024
Select appropriate materials, components, tools, equipment and techniques and apply safe procedures to make designed solutions (ACTDEP026
Digital Technology
Examine the main components of common digital systems and how they may connect together to form networks to transmit data (ACTDIK014
Explain how student solutions and existing information systems are sustainable and meet current and future local community needs (ACTDIP021
Plan, create and communicate ideas and information, including collaboratively online, applying agreed ethical, social and technical protocols (ACTDIP022
More Ideas from Technology Units….
https://www.digitaltechnologieshub.edu.au/teachers/lesson-ideas/search-the-lesson-ideas#/
http://dabblingindata.weebly.com/
https://teachtechplay.com/blog/
https://www.qcaa.qld.edu.au/p-10/aciq/p-10-technologies
Sample units from K -2
http://primezone.edu.au/resources/pdf/5.%20farmsandpeople.pdf
http://www.scootle.edu.au/ec/viewing/S7781/S7781_DE1Y00P_spin_it/index.html
http://technology.tki.org.nz/Resources/Teaching-snapshots/Junior-Years-1-6
Units on Scootle C2C have some…..selective in using!
https://www.scootle.edu.au/ec/p/home
Cath Ed in Cairns have some useful resources
http://www.cnscurric.catholic.edu.au/units-of-work3.html
Design and Technologies
https://cottonaustralia.com.au/cotton-classroom/lessons-and-units
Sample Units from Year 3 – 4
http://primezone.edu.au/resources/pdf/5.%20farmsandpeople.pdf
http://www.scootle.edu.au/ec/viewing/S7781/S7781_DE1Y00P_spin_it/index.html
http://technology.tki.org.nz/Resources/Teaching-snapshots/Junior-Years-1-6
Units on Scootle C2C have some…..selective in using!
https://www.scootle.edu.au/ec/p/home
Cath Ed in Cairns have some useful resources
http://www.cnscurric.catholic.edu.au/units-of-work3.html
Design and Technologies
https://cottonaustralia.com.au/cotton-classroom/lessons-and-units
Sample Units from Year 5 – 6
http://technology.tki.org.nz/Resources/Teaching-snapshots/Junior-Years-1-6
Resources
https://cottonaustralia.com.au/cotton-classroom/lessons-and-units
Clickview great resource:
https://www.clickview.com.au/primary/
https://openstem.com.au/programs/digital-technologies-program-for-primary-schools
https://www.coolaustralia.org/curriculum-materials/#body-wrapper
Resources for lessons ideas with Techie Equipment
Makey Makey LittleBits
3Doodler
With such a crowded Primary curriculum the only way to ensure our students are being prepared for their future is by integrating technology across the curriculum and making learning challenging and enjoyable. Making learning authentic, relevant and providing opportunities for students’ voice and choice in their learning.