NCEA Level 3 Digital Technology
Course Description
Teacher in Charge: Mr R. Swallow.
Students will design their own course taken from 9 available standards. They will aim towards 14 credits from a rich mix of standards that allows for individual learning and development of a digital technology of their choice.
As with previous years, example choices are: electronics, programming in python, 3D printing, media creations, digital audio, animation, CAD design or web development, amongst others.
Papers taken each term are governed by student choice. Put your own course together based upon what you would like to explore in digital technology. This can be further developing something you did in previous years. Or, you can start on a new venture and explore something you've never done before. It's up to you.
There are eight available INTERNAL papers and one EXTERNAL paper. The external paper is aimed at students wanting to pursue a career in some aspect of computer science. They will take the external paper but the remaining students have the option of not taking the paper. The external exam is at the end of Term 3.
INTERNAL PAPERS
91900: Conduct a critical enquiry to propose a digital technologies outcome (6 credits)
Similar to Year 12, a deeper inquiry is conducted to propose a potential digital technology outcome. This includes data management, digital media, programming, electronics and computer systems. You come up with an idea and follow a process to propose how it might be achieved. There is no need to actually make what you propose.
91891: Apply user experience methodologies to develop a design for a digital technologies outcome (3 credits)
This paper asks for an investigation into methods used to design user interfaces for digital technologies. UX design is a major industry today.
91902: Use complex techniques to develop a database (4 credits)
Here you will design and structure data to organise, query and present it for a specific purpose. Data integrity and testing procedures are need to be demonstrated.
91903: Use complex techniques to develop a digital media outcome (4 credits)
Have fun developing any digital technology outcome of your choice, whilst demonstrating complex techniques.
91904: Use complex techniques to develop an electronics outcome (6 credits)
The ability to test, modify and debug an electronic device you build whilst explaining the behaviour and function of what is made, are all requirements.
91905: Use complex techniques to develop a network (4 credits)
This standard ask you to explain networking concepts and the tools, procedures, protocols and techniques used when installing and configuring hardware (including peripherals) and software.
91906: Use complex programming techniques to develop a computer program (6 credits)
The language used for this standard is Python. Students must use variables to store at least two different data types in their program. The final program should use two or more complex programming techniques and include a GUI to enter and output data.
91907: Use complex processes develop a digital technologies outcome (6 credits)
The development could include any digital technology outcome, such as digital media, programming, electronics and computer systems. this paper helps develop your project management skills as well as creating an outcome. You don't have to create a new outcome as you can use what you developed in paper 91903 for this standard too.
PROGRAMMER / GAME MAKER - If you are serious about one or both of these then it is recommended you take a ONE YEAR online programming course via Volcanics, which is taken at school. This will cover levels 1, 2 and 3 programming papers (92004+91896+91906) in Python. You can not use the Level 1 and 2 credits towards your Level 3 course, but from here you will be in a much stronger position to make a game once you enter tertiary level education.
It is not recommended you game make in Year 13 without programming skills. However, Game Making is not completely off the table as a digital technology option.
EXTERNAL PAPER - This is not a compulsory paper and is aimed at students going onto some aspect of tertiary computer science.
91908: Analyse an area of computer science (3 credits)
The topic offered changes from year to year (according to NCEA directive), and includes such areas as Computer Vision, Cyber Security, Complexity, Formal Languages and Computer Graphics. Students are examined on just one topic.
Contributions and Equipment/Stationery
All students MUST have a cheap pair of WIRED earbuds to listen to tutorials and slide shows. Bluetooth is not available on the school computers.
Credit Information
You will be assessed in this course through all or a selection of the standards listed below.
This course is approved for University Entrance.
External
NZQA Info
Digital Technologies and Hangarau Matihiko 3.1 - Conduct a critical inquiry to propose a digital technologies outcome
NZQA Info
Digital Technologies and Hangarau Matihiko 3.2 - Apply user experience methodologies to develop a design for a digital technologies outcome
NZQA Info
Digital Technologies and Hangarau Matihiko 3.3 - Use complex techniques to develop a database
NZQA Info
Digital Technologies and Hangarau Matihiko 3.4 - Use complex techniques to develop a digital media outcome
NZQA Info
Digital Technologies and Hangarau Matihiko 3.5 - Use complex techniques to develop an electronics outcome
NZQA Info
Digital Technologies and Hangarau Matihiko 3.6 - Use complex techniques to develop a network
NZQA Info
Digital Technologies and Hangarau Matihiko 3.7 - Use complex programming techniques to develop a computer program
NZQA Info
Digital Technologies and Hangarau Matihiko 3.8 - Use complex processes to develop a digital technologies outcome
NZQA Info
Digital Technologies and Hangarau Matihiko 3.9 - Analyse an area of computer science
Assessments:
Term: 3, Week: 9
Disclaimer
COURSE COSTS AND STANDARDS MAY CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE