NCEA Level 1 Digital Technology
Course Description
Teacher in Charge: Mr R. Swallow.
Three papers will be taken, each worth 5 credits.
- Learn how to program.
- Create a digital media outcome
- Learn how interfaces are designed so humans can better interact with digital devices. (EXTERNAL paper)
Each paper will take about eight weeks to complete. Once all three papers are completed, any spare time gives a student a fantastic chance to create a project of their choosing, or even begin the Year 12 course.
The media outcome provides a great opportunity to develop or build an outcome of your choice. Nothing is set in concrete and you have complete freedom with this paper. Examples of choices are electronics, 3D printing, digital audio, animation, CAD design, game design, game making, database, posters and other media, or web development. if you have something else in mind, there is a strong chance you could do that; just speak with the teacher.
The external paper will be taken late in Term 4.
INTERNAL PAPERS
PAPER 1 - 92004: Create a computer program
You will learn Python and with that construct a program that performs a specified task. The beginnings of this were taught in Year 10. But you will revise all of that again and develop your knowledge further so you can create a flexible and robust computer program.
PAPER 2 - 92005: Develop a digital technologies outcome
This paper allows you to explore the wide area of digital outcomes. Anything that is produced on a computer is a digital outcome. What do you want to make? You have full control over what the outcome is - your choice, not the teacher's choice.
EXTERNAL PAPER
PAPER 3 - 92006: Demonstrate understanding of usability in human-computer interfaces
Human-Computer Interaction focuses on designing technology in ways that are user-friendly, effective, and considerate of how people naturally think and behave. So you will look at a bunch of devices (microwave, websites, mobile phone, for instance), to understand why they have been designed the way they are to make it dead easy for us to use.
PROGRAMMER / GAME MAKER - If you are serious about one or both of these then it is recommended that you FIRST take a ONE YEAR online programming course via Kotui Ako. This is taken at school and will cover levels 1, 2 and 3 programming papers (92004+91896+91906) in Python. Yes! Pass Level 2 and Level 3 in Year 11. Four students have achieved this already in previous years.
From there you will be in a much stronger position to make a game in Year 12 and 13.
You CAN game make in Year 11, but programming skills will help you make a better game. Hence, Paper 1 'Create A Computer Program', is done first, in Term 1.
If you do choose the Kotui Ako course, in Year 11 and successfully complete it, then in Year 12 add to your programming skills by learning Java. You'll be on your way to a large salary in a few years !
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.
Pathway
Assessment Information
All assessments are internal except for one.Credit Information
You will be assessed in this course through all or a selection of the standards listed below.
External
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
Disclaimer
COURSE COSTS AND STANDARDS MAY CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE