Welcome to the third Digital Technologies Hub newsletter!

What is Computational Thinking?

Computational thinking describes the processes and approaches we draw on when thinking about complex problems or systems. This may involve thinking logically, breaking problems into parts, or using algorithms. We then use a computer to help us solve the problem. The glossary on the Australian Curriculum website includes a definition of Computational Thinking and other terminology.

Teaching computational thinking

CS Unplugged: Programming languages
Unplugged activities are a great way to introduce computer science concepts without the use of a computer. Use these activities with your students to explore how a computer program is made up of a sequence of instructions that the computer must follow.

CAS Barefoot
A collection of videos, graphics, and examples to explain Computational Thinking in practice.

BBC Computational Thinking
This collection of interactive lessons can be used to teach Computational Thinking.

Exploring Computational Thinking
A curated collection of lesson plans, videos, and other resources on computational thinking from Google.

Engaging students

Bebras Computational Thinking Challenge
Bebras is a free international student challenge with the goal to promote computational thinking for teachers and students in years 3–12. Aligned to the curriculum, Bebras tasks are delivered online and can be answered without prior knowledge about computational thinking or ICT. Students work alone or in teams to solve tasks and are required to think about information, discrete structures, computation, data processing, and algorithmic concepts. You can view sample tasks here, with the competition opening on the 6th of March.

Computational and Algorithmic Thinking (CAT) Competition
The CAT Competition is run by the Australian Mathematics Trust. This one-hour problem-solving competition seeks to identify computer programming potential. It is an ideal activity to encourage an interest in programming. CAT has 4 divisions: Upper Primary (year 5–6), Junior (year 7–8), Intermediate (year 9–10) and Senior (year 11–12). The competition opens on the 21st of March.

Lesson ideas

The Digital Technologies Hub features lesson ideas with step-by-step instructions for implementing one or more of the Australian Curriculum: Digital Technologies content descriptions for each band of the curriculum.

Try one of these lesson ideas to implement Digital Technologies in your classroom.

Primary

Introducing algorithms (years 3–4)

Students design a sequence of steps for others to follow. They convey their instructions to peers and evaluate the work of others to determine if the outcome was successful.

Secondary

Breaking up can be good (Years 9–10)

This sequence provides a gentle introduction to the skill of decomposition by having students develop discrete modules which together serve a single need.

Check out what other lesson ideas are available for: Primary and Secondary.

Spotlight Case Study

The journey towards an integrated approach to digital technologies

In this case study, read about how John Monash Science School (JMSS) in Melbourne is moving from a discrete course, through a hybrid model, and towards an integrated approach.

For further case studies, see our Primary School Approach or Secondary School Approach pages.

Webinars

Getting started with DT in schools

We hosted our very first webinar earlier this month. Presented by Chris Harte, this webinar focused on auditing technology, curriculum, and expert capacity to implement the Digital Technologies Curriculum. If you missed the webinar, you can view slides and the full recording.

It starts with teachers: Building teacher capacity in Digital Technologies

1 March, 4.30-5.30pm (AEDT)
Presented by Dr Rebecca Vivian and Lauren Stanhope from The Computer Science Education Research (CSER) Group.
How can we prepare teachers for the Digital Technologies curriculum? The Computer Science Education Research (CSER) Group at The University of Adelaide share approaches schools are taking to build teacher capacity, as well as an abundance of opportunities freely available to teachers and schools, including free online professional development courses, face-to-face training, and a national technology lending library. Whether you're a classroom teacher, school leader or professional development provider, you'll leave with ideas to launch or expand professional development in F-10 Digital Technologies.

Register now

Stay tuned for our other upcoming webinar

29 March, 4.30-5.30pm (AEDT)
Presented by Tim Bell, from CS unplugged
Further details and registrations will be available soon.
Join us on Facebook for updates.

Upcoming events

Find out what competitions, conferences and professional learning opportunities are on offer in 2017 through our events calendar.

Bebras Australia Computational Thinking Challenge; 6–17 March, online
Unpacking the Digital Technologies Curriculum; 7 March, Spotswood, VIC
Delivering the Digital Technologies Curriculum conference; 7–8 March, VIC
ICTENSW 2017 Conference - Ready-Set-Digi-Tech Conference; 10–11 March, Sydney
CSER Digital Technologies Course certification; 15–16 March, Perth
Teaching Programming for the First Time; 15, 22 and 30 March; TAS
Improving STEM education conference; 21–22 March; NSW
Future Schools Expo and Conference; 22–24 March, VIC
Women in STEM; various dates from March–August, VIC
Digital Technologies Masterclass at Melbourne West Summit featuring Google for Education; 3 April, VIC
TeachTechPlay Conference; 3–4 April, VIC

Digital Technologies making news

The state of K–12 computer science - Code.org Annual Report, Code.org
The Raspberry Pi Foundation’s Digital Making Curriculum, Raspberry Pi
Busting myths about women in STEM, Australia's Chief Scientist
How online courses can help teach computational thinking and CS, Rebecca Vivian
A Look at IT and Engineering Enrolments in Australia, Katrina Falkner