Promoting the Computing Technology 7–10 Syllabus (2022)
Downward trends in enrolments into ‘Computing’ subjects, due to the dated nature of the previous syllabuses, are occurring at the same time as the demands for a digitally literate workforce have never been so high.
The Computing Technology 7–10 Syllabus (2022) will be implemented in NSW Secondary schools in 2024. It includes new electives offering relevant, transferable and future focused knowledge, skills and understanding essential for empowerment and participation in society.
Under this new syllabus 6 focus areas are delivered in two streams for Stage 5 students:
- Enterprise Information Systems
- Software Development.
Watch "Computing Technology studies – Creating Your Future" (5:03)
Duration: 5 minutes 03 seconds
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Student
We're currently using the car park boom gate as one of our tasks. We're using the negatives and the positives from the breadboard onto the Arduino board along with the triggers which would access the information for the car park boom gate. We're using different parts such as the distant sensor which allows the cars to run through.
Jack Naylor
We develop robotic systems for all sorts of different environments. This freedom and ability to create these solutions that are going to have effects not just in 5 years or 10 years, but 50 and 100 years. This creation of technology is the critical thing that we're going to need in future industries and in your future careers.
Amy Wasapatkorn Limpairojana
Everything nowadays is related to technology like, from your smartphone to your computers to even the smart lights in your house. Computing gives you opportunities in all fields. I'm currently working in a bank. Even though it doesn't seem like computing related, there's so many opportunities for me there such as developing apps for the bank users. Big things are like automation so I can make things, like, way easier for people. I actually automated tasks such as opening dashboards, updating data so that people didn't have to do that anymore.
Student
followed a YouTube tutorial to figure out how to make it two point perspective, ruled out my ideas first, like sort of a draught. Did some research to see some design factors and aesthetics and then I incorporated it into my design.
Rhett Loban
I got into my area of research in computing through my interest in video games. I had a Game Boy and I got a Nintendo 64, and then it went off into computer games and then into things like researching them, designing and modding games as well.
Martin Levins
I think students can prepare themselves for using computing by practise. And modern Computing Technology syllabi have that embedded in them. Students are seeing what possibilities are there. So rather than tying students now to learn databases now we can say you're going to manage a football club. It gives them a reason for learning. Give them freedom to be able to experiment like that. Gives them a much wider opportunity. An understanding of computing opens up opportunities no matter what field you're involved in, whether it be the law, medicine, science, mathematics, a geographer, the use of that technology can give you deeper insights into what it is that you're actually doing.
Amy Wasapatkorn Limpairojana
Biggest influence on me was robotics. So in high school I did lots of robotics. Even if you choose software, you could go into mechanical later. You could go into civil, it doesn't matter 'cause you always learn the essential basic skills for engineering.
Rhett Loban
If you're thinking about what subjects to take, you should really do what interests you, subjects or opportunities where Digital Technologies align with what you're interested in. So if you're interested in the pure computing science there are units for that. If you're more interested in software or kind of systems, look into those sorts of things. Things like digital media or the creative elements. Think about what your interest is and then see how Digital Technologies or computing kind of aligns with those interests.
Jack Naylor
My advice to students today is to take the opportunity to learn computing early on. You'll find that the skills that you gain they'll carry with you through your life. There isn't a job today that doesn't interface with a computer in some way, shape, or form.
April Heinrichs
My name is April Heinrichs. I am a FIFA high performance specialist. I work in talent development. How you want to use technology in sport today and football today, it's really up to you. I can barely imagine how much it's gonna play a role in the game and in sport over the next 10 to 20 years. If I was a young person and I was thinking about going to school and what I'd be studying, I think I would move over to computer science.
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Information materials for new computing technology courses in 2024
Innovation and enterprise are key features of student learning implicitly rewarded in the new syllabus. The knowledge and skills of this course have transferability to all subjects within and beyond school.
Computing Technology – Expert videos
Ambassadors in the field of computing inspire the viewer to consider studying computing technology through their experience as they discuss career paths and tertiary education.
Watch "Design, Coding and Computing with Amy Wasapatkorn “ (2:59)
Duration: 2 minutes 59 seconds
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Amy Limpairojana
I'm Amy Limpairojana. I'm currently studying at UTS, doing software engineering. I also have a sub major in user experience, so like learning how to interact with people and make products that suit people. Biggest influence on me was robotics, so in high school, I did lots of robotics with FIRST. I did it Macquarie University and that really pushed me into going for like engineering kind of subjects. A big thing is data visualisation. That was one of my favourite subjects at university. And yeah, making data look nice through code is actually really fun. It's like making art which yeah, I feel is really innovative with engineering subjects. Computing opens up so much. Everything nowadays is related to technology, like from your smartphones to your computers, to even the smart lights in your house. Being able to use those skills, like develop those skills will help you, you know, be able to implement these things in your daily life as well as work in fields like you know, software engineering.
Computing gives you opportunities in all fields. For example, I'm currently working in a bank. Even though it doesn't seem like computing related, there's so many opportunities for me there such as developing apps for the bank users and making sure that people can apply for home insurance properly. Creativity is essential to everything. In technology, especially in computing, innovation is key to success. Big things are like automation, so I can make things like way easier for people. For example, in one of my companies, I actually automated tasks such as opening dashboards, updating data, so that people didn't have to do that any more. With technology, we have better solutions now. For example, the automation thing. People used to be like, "Yeah, just wake up at 7:00 AM, refresh your dashboard." But I was like, "No, I can make it much easier." Just code it and press a button and it'll do it every morning for you instead of having to do that. Choosing software engineering opens up so many opportunities in the future. Even if you choose software, you could go into mechanical later, you could go into civil. It doesn't matter 'cause you always learn the essential basic skills for engineering which is applicable everywhere. I find software engineering really exciting because I get to make things look
pretty. So, my software engineering focuses on the design, the front end part, of what people see, what people interact with, and I like seeing like people's reactions to my work.
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Watch "Sports Performance, Data and Computing” (1:46)
Duration: 1 minutes 46 seconds
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Doug Kors
My name's Doug Kors, I'm the GM of Football Analysis at Football Australia. My role is about collecting data, video, and using a range of technologies to help our coaches and players prepare for matches and tournaments. So working with the Socceroos as a performance analyst, we get to travel with the team, so that means we go all across the world. In my role, I've travelled to over 30 different countries, I've been to three different World Cups. On a match day, we have a whole bunch of different things going on, we have iPads on the bench where our coaches can watch moments in the match, we're collecting all this information using different technologies that we can feed back data to our coaches to help them prepare for matches. We're looking at team performance, individual performance, we've got physical data, how much the players run, how far they've run, we're looking at how many passes or shots they might have, but also, in the team, so where is there space in a match that we could take advantage of or better use? And then we're feeding that back to our coaches, so they can define the specific football problem and come up with solutions to implement in training and in the lead up for matches. We pull it together, all that information, and put it together for our coaches.
April Heinrichs
My name is April Heinrichs, I am a FIFA High Performance Specialist, so I work in talent development. How you wanna use technology in sport today and football today is really up to you. I would imagine that with all the explosion of technology in the game in the last 10 years, I can barely imagine how much it's gonna play a role in the game and in sport over the next 10 to 20 years. Improve sport, improve sports science, and sports medicine through technology, we can make everything smoother, faster, quicker, because in coaching, time is essential. If I was a young person and I was thinking about going to school and what I'd be studying, I think I would move over to computer science.
Doug Kors
Having access to things at school where you can learn new technology, where you can learn how to code things in different languages, it'll really help you in the future in whatever career you might wanna pursue. Be encouraged, have a look at technology, 'cause it might be a job in sport, it might be a job in a hospital, it might be a job in media or arts, there's all these different industries, which are now embracing technology and data, this could be your future.
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Watch "Robotics, Systems and Computing“ (3:24)
Duration: 3 minutes 24 seconds
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Jack Naylor
My name's Jack Naylor. I'm a PhD candidate at the Australian Centre for Robotics at the University of Sydney. We develop robotic systems across field, the individual sensors, and the total systems themselves. And we develop these for all sorts of different environments. I started in mechanical engineering, majoring in space engineering and advanced science in physics. So this freedom and ability to interact with things at the cutting edge, create these solutions that are going to have effects, not just in 5 years or 10 years, but 50 and 100 years down the line is quite exciting and it's great to be a part of. Young people can best prepare for a field in computing by having a go at it. You might find that the skills and knowledge you acquire through undertaking classes in computing technologies are going to be useful, not just in those subjects, but in your other subjects as well.
As organisations rely more on artificial intelligence and data science, having a baseline understanding is critical to ensure that you understand changes as they go forward and you can interact with them without needing to go and re-skill. Students looking to solve computing problems shouldn't just rely on mastering the technical ability but they should also master on understanding the needs of what that system is going to be used for, how it's going to create change once it's implemented, and where that will end up being used. My advice to students today is to take the opportunity to learn computing early on. You'll find that the skills that you gain will not be in vain. They'll carry with you through your life into any industry that you enter.
There isn't a job today that doesn't interface with a computer in some way, shape, or form. The more understanding you have as to how these function, how they interact with other systems, and how you can use them to solve problems at larger scales will only help you as you go forward in your careers. This creation of technology is the critical thing that we're going to need in future industries. Enrolling in computing subjects where they teach the foundational knowledge for how to create new systems and new computing technologies is critical to ensure that you have the skills required to work in the jobs of not only today, but tomorrow as well.
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Watch "Context, Engagement and Computing” (3:51)
Duration: 3 minutes 51 seconds
[music]
Martin Levins
My name's Martin Levins. I'm a lecturer in education at the University of New England, specialising on the use of IT in education. I think students can prepare themselves for using computing technology and having the agency over it by practise, and modern computing technology syllabi have that embedded in them, if they're good, and students are seeing what possibilities are there, so rather than tying students down and saying, "You've got to learn databases now," we can say, "You're going to manage a football club," and that gives them a context and increases their engagement in wanting to learn about those things. It gives them a reason for learning, and given the freedom to be able to experiment like that gives them a much wider opportunity. An understanding of computing opens up opportunities, no matter what field or endeavour you're involved in, whether it be the law, whether it be medicine, whether it be science, mathematics, a geographer, it doesn't really make any difference. The use of that technology will not only give you an easier road in that it removes a lot of administrative stuff, but more importantly, it can give you deeper insights into what it is that you're actually doing.
Student
So basically, I followed a YouTube tutorial to figure out how to make a two-point perspective giving it this angle, and I just, like, sort of rolled out my ideas first like sort of a draught, and then, after I did some research to see some design factors and aesthetics, and then I incorporated it into my design.
Student
We're currently using the car park boom gate as one of our tasks. We're using the negatives and the positives from the breadboard onto the Arduino board, along with the triggers which would access the information for the car parking gate, so we're using different parts, such as the distant sensor, which allows us to measure the distance of the car that is passing by in order to access the gate which opens, which allows the cars to run through.
Martin Levins
When we think about using technologies, computer technologies in anyone's future, think about the things that you are really interested in, and then think about how you can push that interest to get a more efficient way of looking at things to develop better insights into what's happening and be more satisfied and enjoying the life of working in that area because it'll extend you like you wouldn't believe. This modern syllabus gives a lot of freedom to the student to work with things in context, things that they love, and you can use computing to extend the possibilities that you can normally see, and that's gonna give you a much more enjoyable experience
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Watch "Creativity, Games and Computing“ (2:54)
Duration: 2 minutes 54 seconds
[music]
Rhett Loban
My name's Rhett Loban, and I'm a lecturer at Macquarie University in the School of Education. I got into my area of research in computing through my interest in video games. So, I had a Game Boy when I was smaller, and then I got a Nintendo 64, and then it went off into computer games and then from there, into things like researching them, designing, and modding games as well. We need computing technology to capitalise on opportunities and resolve issues that lay outside computing itself. Creativities important because you have to think about kind of your restrictions and what you can do within, say, your timeframe, your resources, your staff, and thinking about a solution that you can kind of viably come up with to respond to whatever the issue or opportunity is based on those sorts of things. So, you might have to be creative in kinda the solution that you come up with.
In my game, Torres Strait Virtual Reality, the elder was kind of doing sketches and the solution was I wanted to kind of have something in the sky and I wanted to reflect aspects of kind of Torres Strait astronomy. So I took kind of those sketches and I converted them into 3D objects, and they became abstracted versions of constellations in the sky. If you're thinking about what subjects to take, you should really do what interests you, maybe looking for subjects or opportunities where digital technologies align with what you're interested in. So, if you're interested in the pure computing science or computer science, you can go ahead and do the programming and I'm sure there are units for that. If you're more interested in maybe the enterprise software or kind of systems, you can look into those sorts of things. But if you're interested in things like digital media or the creative elements, there are pathways for that. And there are, I'm sure courses and and units for that that you can have a think about. But think about what your interest is and then see how digital technologies or computing kind of aligns with those interests.
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Computing Technology – Animated videos
Each of the six focus areas in Computing Technology are showcased with practical project ideas that students can undertake in this subject.
Watch "Modelling networks and social connections“ (2:00)
Duration: 2 minutes 00 seconds
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Narrator:
Have you ever wondered how social media influencers establish and extend their influence? Want to know more about the ‘things’ connected to the Internet of Things? Curious about how your favourite navigation app determines the fastest route home?
Investigate these ideas and more in Modelling networks and social connections, part of the Enterprise information systems category of the Computing Technology 7-10 Syllabus. In this focus area, you will explore concepts from computer science, social sciences and mathematics to develop an understanding of the complex systems and networks we use every day. You will also investigate how these systems and networks facilitate online interactions, and the social, ethical and legal implications of communicating online.
It all starts by identifying a real-world problem that can be solved by connecting people and systems. From here, you will use the principles of Graph Theory to model existing networks and describe the degrees of connectivity, the relationships between nodes, and the data or messages exchanged.
You will then use these findings to inform the design of your own network or digital solution, regularly testing and evaluating the functionality of your network to ensure optimal efficiency, reliability and security.
Studying Modelling networks and social connections can lead to a range of exciting opportunities beyond school. You may go on study social and information network analysis at university, pursue entrepreneurial opportunities in information technology or cybersecurity or even develop your own social media platform. Visit the department website for more information on getting the most out of the Computing Technology 7-10 Syllabus.
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Watch "An overview of Designing for user experience“ (2:20)
Duration: 2 minutes 20 seconds
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Narrator:
Confusing on-screen buttons, pop-ups that cover critical website content and [loud dance music] [spoken loudly] unnecessarily loud Autoplay videos – these are just some of the issues that we face every time we open an app, website or other digital platform.
User experience, commonly referred to as UX, is an area of design and development that aims to minimise these types of problems by creating interactive multimedia solutions that consider the design principles of functionality, accessibility, usability and aesthetics. Explore these concepts and more in Designing for , part of the Enterprise information systems category of the Computing Technology 7–10 syllabus.
In this focus area, you will research a variety of existing user interfaces and interactive media products to understand how these affect user experience. You will also explore how the design and functionality of products has changed over time in response to the needs of users and improvements in technology. You will then use this research to inform the design of your own interactive media product that solves a real-world problem.
Throughout this process, you will regularly test and iterate your design and provide considered user experience feedback to your peers. You will also evaluate the efficiency, usability and functionality of your design solution and consider the legal and ethical responsibilities of data collection, security and ownership.
Studying Designing for user experience can lead to a range of exciting opportunities beyond school. You may go on study information technology or interaction design at university, pursue entrepreneurial opportunities in media and communications or software development, or get in on the ground floor of a tech start-up as a UX designer.
Visit the department website for more information on getting the most out of the Computing Technology 7–10 syllabus.
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Watch "An overview of the Analysing data" (2:11)
Duration: 2 minutes 11 seconds
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Narrator:
A football scout is deciding which top-tier players to recruit during the off-season. A coffee shop entrepreneur is choosing a location to open their next store. A TV executive is determining which new series to greenlight for production. What do these three people have in common? They all use data and analytics to support their business decision-making. But what types of data do they use? And how do they collect, store and analyse it? Explore this and much more in Analysing data, part of the Enterprise information systems category of the Computing Technology 7-10 syllabus.
In this focus area, you will explore the impact of data on our society and the ways in which it is used by individuals, businesses and governments to inform decision making. You will also investigate the ways data can be stored, compressed, transmitted and processed and consider the ethical and legal responsibilities of data analysis, including cyber safety, security and privacy.
The next step is to use this newfound understanding of data analysis to develop a digital solution that solves a real-world problem. To achieve this, you will use a variety of data management software including spreadsheets, databases, visualisation libraries and presentation software. And just like in the real world, you will develop and compare multiple solutions before testing and evaluating your preferred design against project requirements.
Studying Analysing data can lead to a range of exciting opportunities beyond school. You may go on to study data analytics or data science at university, pursue entrepreneurial opportunities in cybersecurity and finance or even save lives as an Infectious Disease Analyst. Visit the department website for more information on getting the most out of the Computing Technology 7-10 syllabus. [upbeat techno music]
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Watch "Building mechatronic and automated systems “ (2:14)
Duration: 2 minutes 14 seconds
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Narrator:
Remotely navigating a sophisticated, car-sized robotic vehicle to search for evidence of ancient life on Mars would once have been considered the stuff of science fiction. These days however mechatronic and automated systems are changing our lives in increasingly significant ways — from collecting soil samples on Mars to collecting plastic pollution in our oceans, from detecting disease in humans to detecting dirt on our living room floors. Investigate these ideas and more in Building mechatronic and automated systems, part of the Software development category of the Computing Technology 7-10 syllabus.
In this focus area, you will research different real-world mechatronic and automated systems and use these findings to inform your own system design. You may be provided with a design challenge, such as using your system to follow, lift, pull or push an object, or identify your own real-world problem to be solved.
To develop this system, you will typically use a variety of components from a robotics kit, including structural and mechanical elements, motors and actuators, and sensors and controllers. These components are controlled using a text-based or object-oriented programming language. Throughout this process, you will test your code, iterate your design and draw on research findings to improve your system and solve your defined problem.
Studying Building mechatronic and automated systems can lead to a range of exciting opportunities beyond school. You may go on to study mechatronic or automated engineering at university, pursue entrepreneurial opportunities as a mechatronics consultant or product designer, or even start your own robotics company. Visit the department website for more information on getting the most out of the Computing Technology 7-10 syllabus.
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Watch "Creating games and simulations “ (1:54)
Duration: 1 minutes 54 seconds
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Narrator:
Have your parents ever told you that you’ll never make money from playing games? Well, they might be surprised to hear that the global video game industry is now worth over $200 billion dollars, more than the movie and music industries combined. But have you ever wondered how the games and simulations you play are developed? Explore this and much more in Creating games and simulations, part of the Software development category of the Computing Technology 7-10 syllabus.
In this focus area, you will research a variety of games and simulations to understand how they are programmed and how they enhance the lives of end users. You will then use this research to create your own game or simulation, typically using a general-purpose or object-oriented programming language.
Following this development phase, you will then test and evaluate the functionality and performance of your game or simulation, exploring features such as game mechanics, aesthetics and usability. You will also consider the broader social, ethical and legal implications of game development, particularly in relation to online gaming.
Studying Creating games and simulations can lead to a range of exciting opportunities beyond school. You may go on to study games and interactive design at university, pursue entrepreneurial opportunities as a game developer or game play tester, or even start your own independent video game company. Visit the department website for more information on getting the most out of the Computing Technology 7-10 syllabus.
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Watch "Developing apps and web software “ (2:00)
Duration: 2 minutes 00 seconds
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Narrator:
From fitness to productivity, entertainment and everything in-between, we now have access to millions of apps that help us solve life's everyday problems, including knowing the best time to go to the bathroom during a movie. It seems nowadays that everyone has a great idea for an app, but have you ever wondered what’s involved in developing and releasing an app? Explore this and much more in Developing apps and web software, part of the Software development category of the Computing Technology 7-10 syllabus.
In this focus area, you will research several apps and web-based tools in order to understand their design purpose, social impact and functionality. You will then use your research and findings to develop an app that solves a real-world problem or need. This might include helping users care for their pets, track and increase their fitness levels or identify plants in their garden.
Throughout this development process, you will experiment with agile project management tools to develop a functional user interface using an object-oriented programming language or HTML and CSS. Once developed, you will then evaluate your project, validating algorithms and programs by testing, debugging and iterating your design.
Studying Developing apps and web software can lead to a range of exciting opportunities beyond school. You may go on to study programming and software development at university, pursue entrepreneurial opportunities as an app developer or technology consultant or even create your own startup. Visit the department website for more information on getting the most out of the Computing Technology 7-10 syllabus.
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