Code: CMP004/005
Title: Taste of Technology
Pre-requisites: Nil
Outcome levels: Level 5/6
Coordinator: Ms M Murray

Students who are interested in a career in the IT world are highly recommended to study this unit.  Students are offerred the opportunity to achieve a nationally recognised Certificate I in IT at no cost whilst at school, which may lead them on the pathway to Certificate II and beyond.

Students will undertake project-based learning in order to achieve the necessary competencies to complete the certificate.

This unit introduces students to the senior subjects of ICT (Certificate II in IT) and IPT (Information Processing and Technology - computer programming).

Students are actively encouraged to simulate the real world of IT and work in teams to complete projects. Even if they are not directly using computers, all individuals in our present society are affected in some way by the use of computers within the organisations with which they have dealings.

This subject aims to provide this real experience and will encourage students to make value judgements and decisions based on first hand knowledge.

Topics

• Game Making
• Website Design and Creation
• Digital Storybooks
• Photo Editing
• Animation
• Photo Story and Movie Maker
• Integrated Task - Radio Station

Assessment

Assessment will be largely project based, with some tests. Practical aspects will be assessed through observation.

At completion students should know

• Design, develop and evaluate process, and its purpose.
• Steps involved in designing an on-line computer game and website.
• Terminology specific to the process of design.
• Features and capabilities of the software used.
• Procedure for the creation of an animation (cartoon), movie, or digital storybook.

At completion students should be able to

• Design a game concept.
• Use software to implement the design.
• Evaluate the game critically and constructively.
• Manipulate images and text.
• Embed objects, including sound.
• Create an animation (cartoon), movie, or digital storybook.
• Present a folio of work.
• Access the vast array of internet-based resources.
• Work independently and as part of a team.
• Apply problem-solving skills.
• Analyse and interpret complex information.
• Make comparisons and draw contrasts.
• Draw conclusions and justify these conclusions with evidence.

Literacy elements

• Oral, print and multimedia literacy.
• Focus on subject specific words and their definitions.
• Focus on subject specific spelling.
• Concept mapping.
• Paralinguistic features (spatial arrangements, tables, illustrations).
• Use of generic task sheets.

Integrated technology

• ‘Game Maker’ or ‘Klik and Play’ Software - game making.
• Movie Maker
• Photo Story
• Flash
• Microsoft Publisher - desktop publishing.
• GIF Animator Software - animations.
• Internet for research purposes.

Assignment guidelines

Please refer to the Assignment Guidelines on how to set out bibliographies and references.

Resources

TBA

Related Links

TBA