Digital Technologies

Coding in the Junior Classes

This term our junior classes (Prep-Year 2) have been busy coding with the iPad app, ScratchJr. ScratchJr is a specially designed, block-based coding app for young children. Students snap together blocks of various types - motion, looks, sound, control, triggering - to tell their character/s what to do. Using this app the students have been introduced to basic coding skills of sequencing, triggers and repetition. 

The students are given simple challenges to complete and in doing so are learning how to break problems into smaller steps and think logically and creatively to achieve their outcomes. A fun way to develop their computational thinking skills!

The juniors particularly enjoy drawing their own characters and backgrounds to use in their animations as well as recording their voice to add speech to their characters.

Digital Systems in the Middle & Senior School

Our Years 3-6 students have been exploring digital systems. From the classroom computers to the devices they use every day, digital systems are an integral part of their lives. In this unit the students have been challenged to consider how these devices work.

We began by identifying the various components that make up a digital system including hardware (the physical components) and software (the instructions that tell the hardware what to do) and explaining the function of these. 

The students were excited to see what's inside the laptops they use and were happy to hear that no working laptops were damaged in this process!

They considered ‘What makes a computer, a computer?’ which led to learning about the information processing cycle of input - storage - processing - output. 

Understanding digital systems is important because it empowers students to use technology more effectively and responsibly. By learning how these systems work, students can approach technology with a greater sense of curiosity and confidence.

Mischa: I have learned that each part of the computer plays a pivotal role that provides maneuvers, operation, ability and functions. It actually is really important to learn this at a young age so you can improve your knowledge on digital and physical computer components. 

 

Evelyn: I have learned about how the computer inputs information, stores it, processes it and then displays it as an output. It is important to learn about digital systems so we can all know how to use our digital technology properly and know how all of it works. 

Charlie: I have learnt that one click from a key in a computer is thousands of orders for the motherboard. 

Audrey: I have learned about how computers work and what makes a computer a computer, which is the ability to process and manipulate information. This is important because now I know what's inside and why it works like this. 

Lilia: I have learned all the things that are in a computer. I have learned that everything leads to the motherboard. 

Neorah:I have learned many key parts of the computer and my general knowledge has been extended to know what makes the computer a computer and also what a certain part of the computer is capable of doing. It was also a great experience learning about what’s inside a computer. 

Loretto Campbell

Digital Technologies & STEM Leader