Learners must undertake study in one of the following application themes:
- Information Processing
- Business
- Information Management
- Publishing
- Multimedia
- System Management and Support
- Programming and Control.
THEMES
INFORMATION PROCESSING
Knowledge and understanding of relevant concepts, for example:
- appropriate computer software and its capabilities
- the components of word processing and its applications
- file management including cloud storage
- health, safety and the environment
- appropriate layout for personal documents
- suitable work processes
- changes in the way people access and present information.
Related social and ethical issues such as:
- changing technology and its impact
- confidentiality
- academic integrity, intellectual property and copyright
- occupational health and safety
- recycling and consumables
- recognising the application of computers to the wider area of technology and employment.
Related skills in applied digital technology. For example, skills in using the software:
- producing personal documents relevant to the needs of a changing society
- integrating graphics with text
- research/process techniques
- effective time management
- extended keyboard techniques
- use of advanced editing and proof reading techniques
- composition in electronic media, for example: email.
Relevant individual and cooperative tasks:
These can be devised to provide practical experience and a learning environment for the knowledge and skills content above. Example: a set of learning tasks based on:
- documents relating to social/sporting clubs
- presentation of essays/assignments and reports
- personal correspondence
- résumés and job applications.
BUSINESS
Knowledge and understanding of relevant concepts, for example:
- business software
- more advanced word processing skills
- display techniques
- a variety of business documents
- workplace safety.
Related social and ethical issues such as:
- confidentiality
- copyright and intellectual property
- recycling and consumables.
Related skills in applied digital technology and its impact, for example skills in:
- word processing, database, spread sheets, audio and presentation packages
- efficient and accurate input of data
- advanced keyboard operation
- file management including cloud storage
- data transfer.
Relevant individual and cooperative tasks.
These can be devised to provide practical experience and a learning environment for the knowledge and skills content above. Example: a set of learning tasks based on the following:
- financial statements
- business correspondence
- meeting documents
- graphs and charts
- formal reports.
INFORMATION MANAGEMENT
This theme focuses on the management of smaller computer-based information systems. Learners will be given opportunities to familiarise themselves with a number of commonly used applications so that they can make judgements about the appropriateness of different applications for a particular task.
Knowledge and understanding of relevant concepts, for example:
- hardware used in collecting and managing smaller sets of data including text, sound and images
- characteristics and suitability to task of software applications commonly used for information organisation, retrieval and presentation, for example:
- word processors, desktop publishers, presentation software (e.g. PowerPoint), multimedia applications, web page editors, accounting, spreadsheet and database management systems, statistical packages, geographical information systems packages
- language and concepts associated with selected software applications
- user interface design (e.g. typographic and layout issues, appropriate use of media and macros)
- information integration between applications and/or using communications options, such as:
- using charts from a spreadsheet in a published newsletter or converting Word documents to web pages
- using the Internet as a means of collection or distribution of information, attaching documents to email
- file management including cloud storage
- management of data and resources, task management, working in a team, documentation, dealing with clients, operating procedures
- related social and ethical issues such as:
- data accuracy and currency
- the reliance of modern society on organised information systems
- academic integrity, intellectual property and copyright
- impact of modern information storage and retrieval techniques
- information ownership and privacy
- database corruption and fraud
- related skills in applied technology
- practical tasks that:
- allow learners to practice task management and gain skills and understanding associated with applications chosen for study
- provide learners with opportunities to organise and present information in a meaningful manner.
PUBLISHING
Knowledge and understanding of relevant concepts for example:
- typographic design and page layout concepts
- design issues (e.g. consistency, metaphor, use of colour)
- image, sound and video properties and manipulation
- understanding of the technology of the hardware used (e.g. properties of output devices for published material, printers or monitors)
- taking intended audiences into account
- accuracy of content and proof reading
- file management including cloud storage.
Related social and ethical issues such as:
- accuracy of content
- academic integrity, intellectual property and copyright
- issues of image and other source material editing
- changes in the way people access information and emerging publication opportunities.
Related skills in applied digital technology, for example, skills in using the following:
- word processor
- analysis software (e.g. spreadsheets and charting software)
- graphics enhancement packages
- video and sound editing software
- desktop publisher
- slide show presentation software
- web editor software
- digital camera
- scanner
- using various printers and setting up monitors.
Relevant individual and cooperative tasks.
These can be devised to provide practical experience and a learning environment for the knowledge and skills content above. Examples might be to publish a brochure with images, a PowerPoint presentation including sound and scanned photos or a simple web page.
MULTIMEDIA
This theme focuses on a hands-on approach to concepts involved in multimedia production and use of software applications that support multimedia preparation, as well as multimedia authoring packages.
Knowledge and understanding of relevant concepts, for example:
- understanding of the nature of media (e.g. sound, images, video, graphics, animation)
- typographic and user interface design (such as consistency, metaphor, use of colour, audience)
- storyboarding, navigation design
- digitising, organising and editing of media resources
- understanding of the technology and hardware used (e.g. storage, processing power, sound and video capture cards, compression)
- user interactivity and project customising
- scripting/programming concepts and techniques
- multimedia authoring software
- file management including cloud storage.
Related social and ethical issues, such as:
- accuracy of content
- academic integrity, intellectual property and copyright
- issues of source material editing
- changes in the way people access information and emerging multimedia applications.
Related skills in applied technology, for example, skills in using the hardware and software, e.g. some of:
- graphics creation and enhancement
- video and sound capture and editing software and hardware
- animation software
- multimedia authoring software
- website or blog authoring and management applications (Content Management Systems (CMS), WordPress, Blogger)
- digital camera and/or scanner
- midi music capture and editing software and hardware
- web site management software.
Relevant individual and cooperative tasks.
These can be devised to provide practical experience and a learning environment for the knowledge and skills content above. An example might be a set of learning tasks based on:
- video and sound capture
- image digitising and enhancement
- animation, simple authoring/web page development and scripting.
SYSTEM MANAGEMENT AND SUPPORT
This theme focuses on setup and management issues that relate to computer use. The study may take a specific focus on hardware, computer networks or user and system support.
Knowledge and understanding of relevant concepts, for example:
- key components of a system (hardware, software, communications and users)
- hardware (such as processor, RAM and disc options and upgradability)
- software (software installation and setup, operating systems, utilities)
- networking (addressing, networking media, networking devices, net operating systems)
- management (task management, working in a team, documentation, dealing with clients, operating procedures)
- file management including cloud storage.
Related social and ethical issues, such as:
- ethical dealings with clients
- security issues
- protection of user privacy.
Related skills in applied digital technology.
Application of concepts to practical tasks:
- upgrade RAM, set up a small network
- configure aspects of an operating system
- solve simple client problems.
PROGRAMMING AND CONTROL
This theme provides an introduction to the use of programming techniques and concepts to create or control computer applications or control external peripheral devices. Emphasis can be on computer programming in a conventional sense, developing macros to drive applications, using scripting languages to control media or applying programmed control to robots or other external devices.
Knowledge and understanding of relevant concepts, for example:
- problem solving and planning
- language constructs (linear or object oriented)
- development of good programming habits
- user and device interfaces
- the concept of data types
- control sequences (branching, loops)
- available functions and procedures and their parameters
- file management including cloud storage.
Related social and ethical issues, such as:
- importance of documentation and structure
- academic integrity, intellectual property and copyright
- viruses
- consequences of program malfunctioning.
Related skills in applied digital technology, for example:
- skills in program planning and development
- flowcharts or storyboards
- third party software for program development
- program coding, editing, compiling/interpreting
- device interfaces.
Relevant individual and cooperative tasks:
These should provide practical experience in applying the knowledge and skills content above (e.g. applying concepts of programming through a set of smaller programs, event handlers or macros).