Albany Senior High School/Coursebook/1DIG

What is this course about?
A reality of modern life is that, for almost any job, "computer literacy" is a basic requirement. You will, no doubt, also realise that Information Technology Professionals are highly sought after in the workplace and hence are amongst the top salary earners. These men and woman have taken their knowledge and skills far beyond the level of computer literacy. They are the Architects, Engineers and Developers of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). Their passion is to invent and conceive new ideas. In turn, they are constantly learning and acquiring the latest knowledge and qualifications.

At Albany Senior High our aim with Digital Technology is to teach and apply the best and most up-to-date IT Professional practices. Our courses are not about simply helping our students' become computer literate. Instead our courses are about educating students' to become IT professionals

If you enrol for the Year 11 course you will undertake the following:

"Plan, research and develop a website for a client. Before producing the website you will present your research findings and design concepts to your client and stakeholders."

What will I learn?
You will learn to manage IT Projects, including how to formulate and implement strategies and processes which enable various digital tools and technologies to be used effectively for the management and presentation of information.

The key areas of knowledge are:


 * Effective use of data and text
 * Effective use of presentation techniques (oral/audio and visual) to impart information
 * Content management systems
 * Web and emerging technologies
 * Mini case studies
 * Client liaison - interviews, phone calls and emails.

During this course you will learn to...


 * Understand the purpose of the major software applications - selecting the right application for the right purpose
 * Understand and efficiently use a variety of functions within software applications
 * Use software applications to produce effective outcomes
 * Combine information from multiple sources to inform an audience
 * Use clear and effective communication techniques
 * Use briefs to produce an outcome for a stakeholder
 * Effectively use appropriate research techniques

What sorts of things will I do?
Term One:

During this term you will learn to use the tools and applications which are necessary in order to produce the Final Outcome for this Course. Here is a list of Tools and Applications:

Inappropriate Use of Computers
Most of the work you will do for this subject is centered around using a computer. It therefore follows that if, at any time while at school you use a computer inappropriately and a block is imposed on your account, you will not be able to undertake all of the work for this subject. As a result you will fall behind and will need to catch up in your own time.

During the days when your account is blocked you will not be allowed access to a computer under any circumstances. Instead, you will be provided with paper-based tasks which will need to be transferred to a computer at the next available opportunity and before the next lesson.

Repeat offenders will soon find it very difficult to keep up with the rest of the class and, as a result, they are unlikely to pass this course. Always remember that in order for you to succeed at Digital Technology you will need to work regularly and consistently. ''It requires continuous effort throughout the year.

Homework
We want to develop sound working habits which will support you throughout your senior years at school and beyond. Your parents/guardians can support by helping you to organise your homework. There may be times when homework is not set. At these times you should use the opportunity to put extra effort into techniques, learning areas that you are not sure of, or to complete Coursework Tasks. You always have something to do!

Homework tasks include:


 * Research and Planning
 * Completion of design assignments and evaluations
 * Learning, refining communication skills (graphical, annotation, justification)
 * Preparing the next task
 * Compiling portfolio work

Parents/Guardians can assist by:


 * Taking an interest in your homework - here is a Window to the Digital Technology Classroom
 * Helping you plan your time effectively
 * Checking your progress once a week
 * Providing a quiet room, chair, table and good lighting

Assessment
Please read this carefully and in conjunction with the NCEA Handbook which is provided by the school.

The Year Planner indicates the dates when work is due for assessment. It is your responsibility to ensure that all work is handed in on those dates.

Late handing in of work: An extension may be granted by the teacher when this obtained ahead of time and is supported with a reasonable explanation. ALL work handed in late without an extension will not be marked.

Absences: Regular attendance is a basic requirement for success. If you are away on a school trip or other class activities, you must arrange to hand in your work befor you leave, or, have someone hand it in on your behalf. If you are ill on the day when an assignment is due you may, upon returning to school, present a Doctor's Note along with your assignment. For all unforeseen circumstances, such as sudden illness or a funeral, bring a note from your Guardian or Doctor upon returning to school. A new hand-in date will be negotiated between you and your teacher.

Re-assessment: If you want a Internally Assessed unit of work to be re-assessed this must be negotiated with the teacher who initially asessed the work. However, re-assessment opportunities can be limited depending on the time of the year.

Appeals: Where there is a dispute on grades awarded you will need to discuss this with your Teacher and the Specialist Subject Leader. There is an Appeal Application Form that must be completed within seven (7) days and handed to the Principal's Nominee (Mr Keightley) who will arrange for your appeal to be heard.

Cheating: NO marks will be awarded to any student caught copying or allowing other students to copy their work for an assignment.

Eight simple rules for success:


 * 1) Complete work on time
 * 2) Arrive to class on time
 * 3) Listen to your teacher
 * 4) Do not waste time or allow other people to waste your time
 * 5) Attend school regularly
 * 6) Do your best at ALL times
 * 7) Plan ahead - set goals and be determined to achieve them
 * 8) Come to class prepared

Frequently asked questions:
Are there any prerequisites for this course?

There are no set prerequisites for Product Design courses at Albany Senior High School. It is however within the nature of the subject area that through the senior years, although students build their abilities using familiar methods of design and production, study will be at ever deeper more sophisticated levels.

There is an expectation that over this time students will move towards greater levels of independence where they are demonstrating enthusiasm, self motivation and perseverance in order to solve authentic design problems within their specialist Technological area.

It is therefore advisable that you always speak to the specialist Technology teacher working in your area of interest before making final decisions on course choice.

Am I required to write programming code for this course?

Yes, you will write programming code. You will work with MySQL, PHP, JavaScript, and HTML. The code is simple but it does require reading, understanding, reflection, planning and calculation.

What do you mean by "planning"?

Planning is one of the five Project Management Process Areas. As an IT Professional you will often need to work as a Project Manager or as member of a project team. It is absolutely important that you know and use Planning at all times.

Why do I need to "design" and what will this involve?

In order to produce the Solution (Final Outcome) as required for this Course you will need to meet the needs of your Client and other Users. In order to do this you must interview these individuals, research your Client's business processes, understand the business market, know the competition, and other factors which will contribute to the success of the Solution. Having completed all of the above it is up to you to design and develop the Solution.