Digital Technologies - Junior

Digital Technologies empowers students to shape change by influencing how contemporary and emerging information systems and practices are applied to meet current and future needs. A deep knowledge and understanding of information systems enables students to be safe, respectful, creative and discerning decision-makers when they select, use and manage data, information, processes and digital systems to meet needs and shape preferred futures.

Digital Technologies provides students with practical opportunities to use design thinking and to be innovative developers of digital solutions within an ethical framework, considering Safety by Design principles. Digital Technologies can also have an important role in responding to the diversity of learners and in ensuring the participation of all students in the learning process. The study of Digital Technologies helps students to become innovative creators of digital solutions, effective users of digital systems and critical consumers of information conveyed by digital systems.

Digital Technologies gives students authentic learning challenges that foster curiosity, confidence, persistence, innovation, creativity, respect and cooperation. These are all necessary when using and developing information systems to make sense of complex ideas and relationships in all areas of learning. Digital Technologies helps students to be innovative learners who are active, ethical citizens capable of being informed members of the community.

The Digital Technologies curriculum has been designed to provide practical and authentic opportunities for students to explore the capacity of information systems to systematically and innovatively transform data into digital solutions through the application of computational, design and systems thinking.

Understanding Digital Technology Options

• Year 9 students must study a digital technology

Year 7 - Digital Technologies (compulsory)

Year 7 Digital Technologies course introduces students to the foundations of digital systems, programming, data, and cybersecurity. Through hands-on learning with the BBC Micro:bit, students design and code interactive systems using inputs, outputs, and simple algorithms. Students are introduced to networking fundamentals, including how data is transmitted between devices, how protocols enable communication, and how data is kept secure through techniques like encryption. They investigate cybersecurity threats such as phishing and learn how to protect themselves using tools such as multi-factor authentication (MFA) and secure passwords.

Future Directions
Satisfactory completion of this subject will provide foundation for students to proceed to Year 8 Data & Computing or to apply for the STEM Enrichment Program.

Year 8 - Digital Technologies: Data and Computing

In Year 8 students step into the role of a digital problem-solver! In this course, students investigate what makes digital products and businesses successful by collecting and analysing real-world data. Using spreadsheets and single-table databases, they learn to organise, query, and visualise data to uncover meaningful insights.

Students then apply this data to design practical solutions, defining and breaking down real-world problems by identifying functional requirements and constraints. They create and test digital prototypes—such as websites or app interfaces—focusing on user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) design.

Along the way, students build skills in data representation, digital project management, and responsible digital citizenship, learning how to manage their privacy and digital footprint in an increasingly connected world.

Future Directions
Satisfactory completion of this subject will provide foundation for students to proceed to Year 9 Creative Digital Solutions and Year 9 Digital Systems and Networks and/or to apply for the STEM Enrichment Program.

Year 9 - Digital Technologies: Creative Digital Solutions

Creative Digital Solutions is a practical and design-focused Year 9 Digital Technologies course where students create digital media, design user experiences and build interactive digital solutions. Students use tools such as Photoshop and Adobe software to produce visual content, including a mock-up posters, while learning how images, sound, video and text are represented and compressed in digital systems.

Students investigate real-world digital platforms, including websites and social media, to understand how design, data, usability, accessibility, ethics and audience needs shape digital experiences. They plan website journeys using flowcharts and pseudocode, then apply programming and problem-solving skills to create, test and improve digital solutions.

Through creative project work, students develop skills in design thinking, computational thinking, digital content production, algorithm design, testing, debugging and evaluation. The course prepares students to become thoughtful creators of digital products, not just users of technology.

Future Directions
Satisfactory completion of this subject will provide foundation for students to proceed to Year 10 Computing - General and Year 10 Computing - Programming.

Year 9 - Digital Technologies: Digital Systems

In this Year 9 Digital Systems course, students consolidate their systems thinking by exploring how hardware and software components interact within networking architecture to manage, control, and secure access to data. They use Cisco Packet Tracer, a powerful simulation tool, to design, build, and test virtual networks—developing hands-on skills in configuring and understanding modern computer networks without the need for physical devices.

Students examine key aspects of cybersecurity, modelling threat scenarios and analysing vulnerabilities such as supply chain breaches. They evaluate how digital systems enforce data protection and access control, referencing the Australian Privacy Principles to justify their choices. This includes implementing security measures like cryptographic hashing for password storage to minimise risks associated with data breaches and password reuse.

Future Directions
Satisfactory completion of this subject will provide foundation for students to proceed to Year 10 Computing-General and Year 10 Computing-Programming.

Year 9 - Digital Technologies: Robotics

In Year 9 Robotics, students take a deeper dive into the mechanical and computational engineering behind robotics. Working in teams, they design, construct, and program robots capable of transporting and handling materials across varied scenarios. The course focuses on automated systems enhanced with sensor integration to enable independent decision-making and navigation.

Students complete a major project where they research, design, build, and test a materials-handling robot, evaluating its mechanical advantages, capabilities, and limitations. They develop their problem-solving and critical thinking skills through continuous testing and refinement, while documenting improvements and reflecting on the real-world applications of robotic systems.

Future Directions
Satisfactory completion of this subject will provide foundation for students to proceed to Year 10 Systems Engineering.

Year 8/9 - Enrichment Program: Tech Studio

Tech Studio is a project-based course for Year 8–9 students that develops skills in Digital Technologies and Design and Technologies, with connections to the Critical and Creative Thinking capability. Students investigate how digital systems and media can be used to communicate ideas and solve problems in real-world contexts.

A key focus of the course is digital media production, including podcasting, where students plan, create, and refine content for specific audiences and purposes. Students also explore a range of digital tools and technologies, applying computational thinking, design processes, and collaborative practices to develop innovative solutions.

Throughout the course, students document and reflect on their learning through a digital portfolio, demonstrating their ability to design, produce, and evaluate digital solutions.

Future Directions
By combining creative media skills with hands-on coding and systems thinking, Tech Studio EP opens doors to a range of exciting and future-focused study and career pathways; Computing (VCE), Media Arts (VCE), Visual Communication Design (VCE), VET Creative & Digital Media, Game Design & Animation (TAFE/Uni), Digital Journalism or Content Creation.