In an increasingly technological and complex world, it is important to develop knowledge and confidence to critically analyse and creatively respond to design challenges. Knowledge, understanding and skills involved in the design, development and use of technologies are influenced by and can play a role in enriching and transforming societies and our natural, managed and constructed environments. (https://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/f-10-curriculum/technologies/design-and-technologies/rationale/)
The study of technology covers two areas:
- Design and Technologies, in which students use design thinking and technologies to generate and produce designed solutions for authentic needs and opportunities
- Digital Technologies, in which students use computational thinking and information systems to define, design and implement digital solutions. (Australian Curriculum, Technology)
Learning within technologies is structured so that students have opportunities to:
- investigate, design, plan, manage, create and evaluate solutions
- work collaboratively and individually
- work with a variety of materials, systems, data and tools
- create and innovate
- make ethical and informed decisions about the role, impact and use of technologies
Design and Technology opportunities are taught in conjunction with inquiry learning.
Information Communication Technology (ICT) is integrated across all curriculum areas with an emphasis on using it to extend children's thinking and creativity. It can be an essential communication and learning tool for children with disabilities.
The teaching of Information and Communication Technology skills is integrated across learning areas with an emphasis on using it to extend children's thinking and creativity. We aim to:
- explicitly teach students how to use a range of information and communication technologies (ICT) in order to support their thinking, learning and communication
- develop confidence and a sense of enjoyment in using ICT for different purposes
- develop an appreciation of the responsible, legal and ethical use of information resulting in responsible digital citizens
- use ICT to support inquiry as students engage in building understandings that contribute to their success as life-long learners in the digital age
The Australian Curriculum: Design and Technologies enables students to become creative and responsive designers. When they consider ethical, legal, aesthetic and functional factors and the economic, environmental and social impacts of technological change, and how the choice and use of technologies contributes to a sustainable future, they are developing the knowledge, understanding and skills to become discerning decision-makers. (https://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/f-10-curriculum/technologies/design-and-technologies/rationale/)
At Farrer Primary School, we are increasing the access students have to contemporary technologies to support their learning. BYOC (Bring your Own Chromebook) is a program that has been delivered at Farrer Primary School since 2015 that allows students to bring a device from home to support learning from years four to six.
Students bring their device to school and have access to a broad range of learning content stored on the cloud, both in and out of the classroom, enabling “any time, any place” learning. BYOC is about bringing the classroom to the student and not limiting them to a single path of learning and a single pace of working. Students are also able to interact with an enormous suite of ICT based learning tools and knowledge that is simply not possible in the traditional classroom. Learning can become more student centered.
Information is available from the Directorate's Learn, Anywhere: ICT for Students page that provides pertinent advice on the suitability of a device to connect to the school's WiFi network.
Google Apps for Education (GAFE) is a core suite of productivity applications that Google offers to schools and educational institutions for free. It is designed to provide opportunities for students to research and create in authentic contexts, collaborate, communicate, cloud based data storage as well as organisational tools such as calendars. It allows the opportunity for real-time feedback from both peers and the classroom teacher. Google Apps for Education can be accessed on any device both in the classroom and the home.
To view more information on the use of GAFE a, please follow this link: https://www.education.act.gov.au/public-school-life/learn-anywhere-ict-for-students/resources-anywhere-digital-backpack/google-apps-for-education-student-privacy-information