DT Hub Update, Classroom Antarctica + Improve No Images? Click here Dear colleagueThe Digital Technologies Hub has undergone a face lift. Aside from a fresh new look, you should find that the resources are more easily discoverable. You'll also find videos that explain the Digital Technologies curriculum, great lesson ideas linked to the curriculum, our NEW topics pages, school leader support, and more. Digital Technologies Hub: TopicsDiscover the new topics available on the Digital Technologies Hub website. Each topic features curated resources to:
BinaryThe binary number system is a base-2 number system — meaning it only has two numbers: 0 and 1. Find out how computers store and transmit information as a sequence of bits, or binary digits. Computational thinkingComputational thinking describes the processes and approaches we draw on when thinking about how a computer can help us to solve complex problems and create systems. General-purpose programmingGeneral-purpose programming, also known as text-based programming, is one of the coding languages prescribed in the Digital Technologies curriculum for secondary schools. Classroom Antarctica: Breaking the iceThe Australian Government have just commissioned a new icebreaker to replace the current ship, the Aurora Australis. This vessel will provide a new state-of-the-art lifeline to Australia’s Antarctic and sub-Antarctic research stations, and will support research in Australian Antarctic and South Ocean waters. The new icebreaker doesn’t have a name yet, and the Australian Government have decided that Australian children will come up with the name. The Australian Antarctic Division will be running a competition for school children to name the vessel. Imagine if someone from your school gets to name the ship! Want to know more? Check out the Classroom Antarctic learning sequences in Scootle. Professional learning opportunityThe Digital Technologies Hub team are hosting a webinar on February 29th. This will be presented by Tim Bell of CS Unplugged. Find out how to introduce students to Computational Thinking through concepts such as binary numbers, algorithms and data compression; separated from the distractions and technical challenges of having to use computers. Importantly, no programming is required to engage with these ideas! Recently publishedHow you can balance university, work and life Moving pictures: Video narratives for multimodal literacy Connections 100 Improve: Formative assessment, flexible, online and free for schoolsAs the 2017 NAPLAN approaches, prepare your students for online testing using Improve. Available to all teachers through the Scootle portal, Improve is an interactive formative assessment tool that enables teachers to create and deliver personalised student assessment linked to a variety of student resources. Improve contains more than 3,500 validated tests in literacy, numeracy and science for students in years F–10. Teachers can choose from a library of tests or make their own. Tests can be delivered for whole classes, or targeted for individual students. By using the simple question generator, the options are endless. A variety of reports are available including an option to share results and supporting resource links with teachers. Go beyond the NAPLAN season and use Improve to collect evidence of learning and build responsive teaching and learning programs throughout the school year. Upcoming eventsConferences ESA is attending
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