APPLIED INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

GENERAL COURSE

Year 12 syllabus

IMPORTANTINFORMATION
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SchoolCurriculumandStandardsAuthority,2013.
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2013/42322

Content

Rationale...................................................................................................................................................................1
Courseoutcomes.......................................................................................................................................................2
Organisation..............................................................................................................................................................3
Structureofthesyllabus..................................................................................................................................................3
Organisationofcontent...................................................................................................................................................3
Representationofthegeneralcapabilities......................................................................................................................5
Representationofthecrosscurriculumpriorities...........................................................................................................7
Unit3Mediainformationandcommunicationtechnologies....................................................................................9
Unitdescription................................................................................................................................................................9
Unitcontent.....................................................................................................................................................................9
Unit4Digitaltechnologiesinbusiness...................................................................................................................14
Unitdescription..............................................................................................................................................................14
Unitcontent...................................................................................................................................................................14
Schoolbasedassessment........................................................................................................................................18
Externallysettask...........................................................................................................................................................19
Grading...........................................................................................................................................................................19
Appendix1GradedescriptionsYear12.................................................................................................................20
Appendix2Glossary.............................................................................................................................................22

Rationale
Thedevelopmentandapplicationofdigitaltechnologiesimpactmostaspectsoflivingandworkinginour
society.Digitaltechnologieshavechangedhowpeopleinteractandexchangeinformation.These
developmentshavecreatednewchallengesandopportunitiesinlifestyle,entertainment,educationand
commerce.
ThroughouttheAppliedInformationTechnologyGeneralcourse,studentsinvestigateclientdrivenissues
andchallenges,devisesolutions,producemodelsorprototypesandthenevaluateandrefinethedesign
solutionincollaborationwiththeclient.Studentsareprovidedwiththeopportunitytoexperience,albeitin
aschoolenvironment,developingdigitalsolutionsforrealsituations.
Thepracticalapplicationofskills,techniquesandstrategiestosolveinformationproblemsisakeyfocusof
thecourse.Studentsalsogainanunderstandingofcomputersystemsandnetworks.Inundertakingprojects
anddesigningsolutions,thelegal,ethicalandsocialissuesassociatedwitheachsolutionarealsoconsidered
andevaluated.
Thiscourseprovidesstudentswiththeopportunitytodeveloptheknowledgeandskillsofdigital
technologies.Italsoencouragesstudentstousedigitaltechnologiesinaresponsibleandinformedmanner.
TheAppliedInformationTechnologyGeneralcourseprovidesasoundtheoreticalandpracticalfoundation,
offeringpathwaystofurtherstudiesandawiderangeoftechnologybasedcareers.

Applied Information Technology | General| Year 12 syllabus

Course outcomes
TheAppliedInformationTechnologyGeneralcourseisdesignedtofacilitateachievementofthefollowing
outcomes.

Outcome1Designprocess
Studentsapplyadesignprocesswhencreatingormodifyinginformationsolutionsusingdigitaltechnologies
inresponsetoaclientbrief.
Inachievingthisoutcome,students:

researchideas,consideringalternatives

analyse,design,produce,communicateandevaluateproposalsinanefficientandappropriatemanner.

Outcome2Understandingdigitalcommunicationtechnologies
Studentsunderstandthenatureanduseofcomputerhardwareandsoftwaretoachievedigitalsolutions.
Inachievingthisoutcome,students:

understandthedigitalconcepts,formatsandterminologyrequiredtoselectanduseappropriate
softwareandhardwaretoachieveclientdrivendigitalsolutions

understandprocedures,techniquesandmanagementskillsrelevanttotheclientsneeds

produceaqualitysolutionthatadherestotheacceptedstandardsandconventionsassociatedwiththe
contentrelevanttotheclientbrief.

Outcome3Impactsoftechnology
Studentsunderstandhowlegal,ethicalandsocialconsiderationsareinterconnectedinthedevelopmentof
digitalsolutions.
Inachievingthisoutcome,students:

understandthelegal,ethicalandsocialconsequencesthatdigitaldevelopmentshaveineffectively
securingdata

understandthelegal,ethicalandsocialimplicationsofdatadistribution.

Applied Information Technology | General| Year 12 syllabus

Organisation
ThiscourseisorganisedintoaYear11syllabusandaYear12syllabus.Thecognitivecomplexityofthe
syllabuscontentincreasesfromYear11toYear12.

Structure of the syllabus

TheYear12syllabusisdividedintotwounitswhicharedeliveredasapair.Thenotionaltimeforthepairof
unitsis110classcontacthours.

Unit3Mediainformationandcommunicationtechnologies
Theemphasisofthisunitisontheuseofdigitaltechnologiestocreateandmanipulatedigitalmedia.
Studentsusearangeofapplicationstocreatevisualandaudiocommunications.Theyexaminetrendsin
digitalmediatransmissionsandimplicationsarisingfromtheuseofthesetechnologies.

Unit4Digitaltechnologiesinbusiness
Theemphasisofthisunitisontheskills,principlesandpracticesassociatedwithvarioustypesofdocuments
andcommunications.Studentsidentifythecomponentsandconfigurationofnetworkstomeettheneedsof
abusiness.Studentsdesigndigitalsolutionsforclients,beingmindfulofthevariousimpactsoftechnologies
withinlegal,ethicalandsocialboundaries.
Eachunitincludes:

aunitdescriptionashortdescriptionofthefocusoftheunit

unitcontentthecontenttobetaughtandlearned.

Organisation of content
Thecontentisdividedintothefollowingareas:

Designconcepts

(Unit3)

Managingdata

(Unit4)

Hardware

(Unit3)

Networks

(Unit4)

Impactsoftechnology (Unit3andUnit4)

Applicationsskills

(Unit3andUnit4)

Projectmanagement

(Unit3andUnit4)

Designconcepts
Whendesigningqualitysolutions,itisnecessarytoconsidertheintendedaudienceandusetheappropriate
elementsofdesignandtheprinciplesofdesign.Studentsdevelopstrategiesforapplyingdigitaltechnologies
increativeandoriginalwaysfordifferentpurposes.

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Managingdata
Studentsacquireanunderstandingofhowtosource,organise,process,transform,storeandmanagea
rangeofdigitaldatatypes.Theyapplyefficientsearchstrategiesforresearchpurposes.Anunderstandingof
securityandstatutoryrequirementsinrelationtoinformationprocessingandmanagementisdeveloped.

Hardware
Studentsdevelopanunderstandingofcommoncomputerhardwaresystemcomponents,theircompatibility
andconnectivity.Functions,suchasprocessing,input,output,memory/storageandcommunicationare
considered.Studentsuseappropriateterminology,technicalreferences/manuals,helpproceduresandother
supportfacilities.

Networks
Thecomponentsofanetwork,includingthecommunicationmediausedtoconnectthem,areexamined.
Contentincludesthetypes,purposeanduseofprotocols,servers,operatingsystemsincommunicationsand
networksecurity.

Impactsoftechnology
Therightsofindividuals,groupsandcommunitiesregardingprivacy,includingresponsibilityfortheaccess,
availabilityandsecurityofinformationandtheirpotentialmisuse,areexplored.Studentsexaminetherole
ofrelevantgovernmentandregulatorybodiesinprotectingtheserights.

Applicationsskills
Studentslearn,selectandapplyappropriatesoftwareapplicationskillsinthedevelopmentofdigital
solutions.Studentsneedtobeawareofthepurposeanddesiredoutputinordertointegratethevarious
applicationsandassociatedskills.

Projectmanagement
Studentsuseproblemsolvingskillstodevelopdigitalsolutionsthatmeetclientneeds.Individualsuse
projectmanagementskillstoproducedigitalsolutionsaccordingtoadesignbrief.

Resourcerequirement
Itisrecommendedthat,fordeliveryofthecourse,studentshaveaccesstothefollowingresources:

computerswithaccesstotheinternet

peripheraldevices,including:
scanner/photocopier/printer(multifunctiondevice)
printer(s)
digitalstillandvideocameras
microphonesandspeakers
mobiledevices

Applied Information Technology | General| Year 12 syllabus

applicationssoftware
spreadsheetsoftware
wordprocessingsoftware
presentationsoftware
multimediasoftware
personalcommunicationsoftware
collaborativemanagementsoftware
browsersoftware
webauthoringsoftware

Representation of the general capabilities

Thegeneralcapabilitiesencompasstheknowledge,skills,behavioursanddispositionsthatmayassist
studentstoliveandworksuccessfullyinthetwentyfirstcentury.Teachersmayfindopportunitiesto
incorporatethecapabilitiesintotheteachingandlearningprogramfortheAppliedInformationTechnology
Generalcourse.Thegeneralcapabilitiesarenotassessedunlesstheyareidentifiedwithinthespecifiedunit
content.

Literacy
Studentsbecomeliterateastheydeveloptheknowledge,skillsanddispositionstouseandinterpret
languageconfidentlyforlearningandcommunicatinginandoutofschoolandforparticipatingeffectivelyin
society.Literacyinvolvesstudentsinlisteningto,reading,viewing,speaking,writingandcreatingoral,print,
visualanddigitaltexts,andusingandmodifyinglanguagefordifferentpurposesinarangeofcontexts.
IntheAppliedInformationTechnologyGeneralcourse,studentsdevelopliteracycapabilityastheylearn
howtocommunicateideas,conceptsanddetailedproposalstoavarietyofaudiences;recognisehow
languagecanbeusedtomanipulatemeaning;andreadandinterpretdetailedwritteninstructions.They
learntounderstandanduselanguagetodiscussandcommunicateinformation,conceptsandideasrelated
tothecourse.
IntheAppliedInformationTechnologyGeneralcourse,studentsunderstandthatlanguagevariesaccording
tocontextandtheyincreasetheirabilitytouselanguageflexibly.ThevocabularyoftheAppliedInformation
TechnologyGeneralcourseistechnicalandincludesspecifictermsforconcepts,processesandproduction.
Studentslearntounderstandthatmuchtechnologicalinformationispresentedintheformofdrawings,
diagramsanddigitally.Theyalsolearntheimportanceoflistening,andtalkingwhenlearningabout
technologiesprocesses,especiallyinarticulating,questioningandevaluatingideas.

Numeracy
Studentsbecomenumerateastheydeveloptheknowledgeandskillstousemathematicsconfidentlyacross
otherlearningareasatschoolandintheirlivesmorebroadly.Numeracyinvolvesstudentsinrecognisingand
understandingtheroleofmathematicsintheworld,andhavingthedispositionsandcapacitiestouse
mathematicalknowledgeandskillspurposefully.
IntheAppliedInformationTechnologyGeneralcourse,studentsworkwiththeconceptsofscaleand
proportion.Thecourseprovidesopportunitiesforstudentstointerpretandusemathematicalknowledge
andskillsinarangeofreallifesituations.Studentsdevelopandapplymathematicalknowledgeandskillsto
analyse,interpretandpresentinformationinnumericalandgraphicalformandtomakesenseofdata
presented.

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Informationandcommunicationtechnologycapability
Studentsdevelopinformationandcommunicationtechnology(ICT)capabilityastheylearntouseICT
effectivelyandappropriatelytoaccess,createandcommunicateinformationandideas,solveproblemsand
workcollaboratively,andintheirlivesbeyondschool.TheICTcapabilityinvolvesstudentsinlearningto
makethemostofthedigitaltechnologiesavailabletothem.Theyadapttonewwaysofdoingthingsas
technologiesevolve,andlimittheriskstothemselvesandothersinadigitalenvironment.
IntheAppliedInformationTechnologyGeneralcourse,studentscreatesolutionsthatconsidersocialand
environmentalfactorswhenoperatingdigitalsystemswithdigitalinformation.Theydevelopan
understandingofthecharacteristicsofdata,digitalsystems,audiencesandprocedures.Theyapplythis
whentheyinvestigate,communicateandcreatepurposedesigneddigitalsolutions.Studentslearnto
formulateproblems,logicallyorganiseandanalysedataandrepresentitinabstractforms.Studentsdecide
thebestcombinationsofdata,proceduresandhumanandphysicalresourcestogenerateefficientand
effectivedigitalsolutions.

Criticalandcreativethinking
Studentsdevelopcapabilityincriticalandcreativethinkingastheylearntogenerateandevaluate
knowledge,clarifyconceptsandideas,seekpossibilities,consideralternativesandsolveproblems.Critical
andcreativethinkingareintegraltoactivitiesthatrequirestudentstothinkbroadlyanddeeplyusingskills,
behavioursanddispositions,suchasreason,logic,resourcefulness,imaginationandinnovationinall
learningareasatschoolandintheirlivesbeyondschool.
IntheAppliedInformationTechnologyGeneralcourse,studentsdevelopcapabilityincriticalandcreative
thinkingastheyimagine,generate,develop,produceandcriticallyevaluateideas.Theydevelopreasoning
andthecapacityforabstractionthroughchallengingproblemsthatdonothavestraightforwardsolutions.
Theyidentify,exploreandclarifytechnologies,informationandusetheknowledgegainedinarangeof
situations.IntheAppliedInformationTechnologyGeneralcourse,studentsthinkcriticallyandcreatively;
considerhowdata,information,andsystemsimpactourlives;andhowtheseelementsmightbebetter
designedandmanaged.

Personalandsocialcapability
Studentsdeveloppersonalandsocialcapabilityastheylearntounderstandthemselvesandothers,and
managetheirrelationships,lives,workandlearningmoreeffectively.Thepersonalandsocialcapability
involvesstudentsinarangeofpractices,including:recognisingandregulatingemotions;developing
empathyforothersandunderstandingrelationships;establishingandbuildingpositiverelationships;making
responsibledecisions;workingeffectivelyinteams;handlingchallengingsituationsconstructively;and
developingleadershipskills.
IntheAppliedInformationTechnologyGeneralcourse,studentsdeveloppersonalandsocialcapabilityas
theyengageinprojectmanagementanddevelopmentinacollaborativeworkspace.Theydirecttheirown
learning,planandcarryoutinvestigations,andbecomeindependentlearnerswhocanapplydesignthinking,
technologiesunderstandingandskillswhenmakingdecisions.Studentsdevelopsocialandemployability
skillsthroughworkingcooperativelyinteams,sharingresources,tools,equipmentandprocesses,making
groupdecisions,resolvingconflictandshowingleadership.Designandinnovationinvolveadegreeofrisk
taking,andasstudentsworkwiththeuncertaintyofsharingnewideas,theydevelopresilience.

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TheAppliedInformationTechnologyGeneralcourseenhancesstudentspersonalandsocialcapabilityby
developingtheirsocialawareness.Studentsdevelopunderstandingofdiversitybyresearchingand
identifyinguserneeds.Theydevelopsocialresponsibilitythroughtheunderstandingofempathywithand
respectforothers.

Ethicalunderstanding
Studentsdevelopethicalunderstandingastheyidentifyandinvestigateconcepts,values,charactertraits
andprinciples,andunderstandhowreasoningcanhelpethicaljudgement.Ethicalunderstandinginvolves
studentsinbuildingastrongpersonal,sociallyoriented,andethicaloutlookthathelpsthemtomanage
context,conflictanduncertainty,andtodevelopanawarenessoftheinfluencethattheirvaluesand
behaviourhaveonothers.
IntheAppliedInformationTechnologyGeneralcourse,studentsdevelopthecapacitytounderstandand
applyethicalandsociallyresponsibleprincipleswhencollaboratingwithothersandcreating,whensharing
andusingtechnologies,data,processes,toolsandequipment.Studentsconsidertheirownrolesand
responsibilitiesasdiscerningcitizens,andlearntodetectbiasandinaccuracies.Understandingthe
protectionofdata,intellectualpropertyandindividualprivacyintheschoolenvironmenthelpsstudentsto
beethicaldigitalcitizens.

Interculturalunderstanding
Studentsdevelopinterculturalunderstandingastheylearntovaluetheirowncultures,languagesand
beliefs,andthoseofothers.Theycometounderstandhowpersonal,groupandnationalidentitiesare
shaped,andthevariableandchangingnatureofculture.Thecapabilityinvolvesstudentsinlearningabout,
andengagingwith,diverseculturesinwaysthatrecognisecommonalitiesanddifferences,create
connectionswithothersandcultivatemutualrespect.
IntheAppliedInformationTechnologyGeneralcourse,studentsconsiderhowtechnologiesareusedin
diversecommunitiesatlocal,national,regionalandgloballevels,includingtheirimpactandpotentialto
transformpeopleslives.Theyexplorewaysinwhichpastandpresentpracticesenablepeopletouse
technologiestointeractwithoneanotheracrossculturalboundaries.

Representation of the cross-curriculum priorities

Thecrosscurriculumprioritiesaddressthecontemporaryissueswhichstudentsfaceinaglobalisedworld.
Teachersmayfindopportunitiestoincorporatetheprioritiesintotheteachingandlearningprogramforthe
AppliedInformationTechnologyGeneralcourse.Thecrosscurriculumprioritiesarenotassessedunlessthey
areidentifiedwithinthespecifiedunitcontent.

AboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderhistoriesandcultures
TheAppliedInformationTechnologyGeneralcoursemayprovideopportunitiesforstudentstolearnabout
AboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderhistoriesandcultures.Studentscouldexplorecreative,engagingand
diverselearningcontextssotheycanvalueandappreciatethecontributionbytheworldsoldestcontinuous
livingculturestopast,presentandemergingtechnologies.

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AsiaandAustralia'sengagementwithAsia
TheAppliedInformationTechnologyGeneralcoursemayprovideopportunitiesforstudentstoexplore
contemporaryandemergingtechnologicalachievementsthattheAsiaregionandPacificregionhavemade,
andcontinuetomake,toglobaltechnologicaladvances,including:innovationinhardwareandsoftware
designanddevelopment;theregionsroleinoutsourcingofinformationandcommunicationtechnologies
(ICT)services;andglobalisation.StudentscouldalsoconsiderthecontributionofAustraliascontemporary
andemergingtechnologicalachievementstotheAsiaandPacificregions.

Sustainability
TheAppliedInformationTechnologyGeneralcoursemayprovideanopportunityforstudents,within
authenticcontexts,tochooseandevaluatedigitaltechnologiesandinformationsystemswithregardtothe
risksandopportunitiestheypresent.Studentscouldevaluatetheextenttowhichinformationsystems
solutionscanembracesustainability.Theyalsocouldreflectonpastandcurrentpractices,andassessnew
andemergingtechnologiesfromasustainabilityperspective.

Applied Information Technology | General| Year 12 syllabus

Unit 3 Media information and communication

technologies
Unit description
Theemphasisisontheuseofdigitaltechnologiestocreateandmanipulatedigitalmedia.Studentsusea
rangeofapplicationstocreatevisualandaudiocommunications.Theyexaminetrendsindigitalmedia
transmissionsandimplicationsarisingfromtheuseofthesetechnologies.

Unit content
AnunderstandingoftheYear11contentisassumedknowledgeforstudentsinYear12.Itisrecommended
thatstudentsstudyingUnit3andUnit4havecompletedUnit1andUnit2.
Thisunitincludestheknowledge,understandingsandskillsdescribedbelow.
Thecontentofthisunitencompassestheoreticalaspects(Knowledge)andpracticalaspects(Skills).Itis
dividedintothefollowingareas:

Designconcepts

Hardware

Impactsoftechnology

Applicationskills

Projectmanagement.

Designconcepts
Knowledge

theelementsofdesign
line
shape
space
texture
colour

theprinciplesofdesign
balance
emphasis(contrastandproportion)
dominance
unity(proximityandrepetition)

relationshipbetweentheelementsofdesignandtheprinciplesofdesign

typography
typeface
size
alignment

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format
spacing

compositionalrules
ruleofthirds
gridandalignment

Skills

identify and explain the elements of design and the principles of design in an existing digital product
and/orsolution

modifyadigitalproductand/ordigitalsolution(s)tomeetadesignneed/consideration

applytheelementsofdesignandprinciplesofdesignwhendevelopingadigitalproductand/orsolution
createaccuratevisuals/layouts
applyprinciplesoflayoutandcomposition

developandapplydetailedannotationsfordigitaldesigns,relevanttoaparticulardesignbrief

applytheelementsofdesignandtheprinciplesofdesignrelevanttoaparticulardesignbrief

Hardware
Knowledge

purposeofthecentralprocessingunit(CPU)

purposeofmemory/storage

typesofmemory/storage
primary
secondary

typesofperipheraldevices

typesofcomputersystems
desktopsystems
mobiledevices
server

purposeofanoperatingsystem(OS)

typesofoperatingsystems
Windows
MacOS
iOS
Android
Linux

identificationofsoftwarecompatibilityissues,including:
runningoldersoftwareoncurrenthardware
runningnewersoftwareonolderhardware

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considerationsforthepurchaseofhardware,including:
cost
specifications
userneeds

physicalmaintenancestrategiesforuseofacomputersystem,including:
useofanuninterruptiblepowersupply(UPS)
environmentaltemperaturecontrol

Skills

selecthardwareandsoftwareforaspecifiedpurpose,includingtheminimumhardwarerequirementsto
runsoftware

applyproblemsolvingskillsforarangeofsimplecomputerproblems,including:
nosound
frozenscreen,keyboardandmouse
noconnectiontoadataprojector

Impactsoftechnology
Knowledge

purposeoftheCopyrightAct1968(Australia),including:
fairdealing
privateuse
moralrights

referencingtechniquesfordigitalpublications

acknowledgementoftheintellectualproperty(IP)owner

conceptofdigitalcitizenship
responsibleuseofsocialnetworking
formsofcyberbullying
strategiestomanage/limitcyberbullying

theimpactofdigitaltechnologiesonworklifebalance

theconceptofsocialnetworking

theimpactofsocialnetworkingtechnologiesontraditionalmethodsofinformationpublicationand
distribution,includinguseofmobiledevices

Skills

applyappropriatereferencingtechniquesfordigitalpublications

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Applicationskills
Knowledge

purposeofdataorganisation

commonfileformatsforgraphicsandaudio
vectorgraphics
rastergraphics
audiofiles

managementofsoftware
installationofsoftware
updateofsoftware

typesofsoftwarelicences
openandclosedsource
proprietary
shareware
freeware

composition,layoutanddesignconsiderationsfortheconstructionofspreadsheets

organisationandmanagementofdatausingsortfiltersinspreadsheets

Skills

applydataorganisationtechniquesforuserand/orclientneeds

applyappropriategraphicandaudiofiletypes,including:
rastergraphics
vectorgraphics
audiofiles

applysortfiltersinspreadsheets

Projectmanagement
Knowledge

projectmanagementconsiderations,including:
scope
time
resources
clientbrief

componentsofaprojectdesignprocess,including:
productpurposeanddesigncriteria
targetaudiencecharacteristics
projectpresentationmedium

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techniquesfortherepresentationofadesignplan,including:
annotateddigitaldiagrams/sketches
storyboards
annotatednotes
thumbnails(hand/digital)

criteriarequiredtoevaluateadigitalproductand/ordigitalsolution

Skills

applytheelementsofdesignandtheprinciplesofdesignrelevanttoaparticulardesignbrief.

applyadesignprocesstocreateadigitalproduct,designand/ordigitalsolution

applytechniquesforrepresentingthedesignofadigitalproductand/ordigitalsolution

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Unit 4 Digital technologies in business

Unit description
Theemphasisofthisunitisontheskills,principlesandpracticesassociatedwithvarioustypesofdocuments
andcommunications.Studentsidentifythecomponentsandconfigurationofnetworkstomeettheneedsof
abusiness.Studentsdesigndigitalsolutionsforclients,beingmindfulofthevariousimpactsoftechnologies
withinlegal,ethicalandsocialboundaries.

Unit content
ThisunitbuildsonthecontentcoveredinUnit3.
Thisunitincludestheknowledge,understandingsandskillsdescribedbelow.
Thecontentofthisunitencompassestheoreticalaspects(Knowledge)andpracticalaspects(Skills).Itis
dividedintothefollowingareas:

Managingdata

Networks

Impactsoftechnology

Applicationskills

Projectmanagement

Managingdata
Knowledge

purposeoffileoptimisationforuseinprint,digitaland/oronlineenvironments

considerationsforthecompressionoffilesforthetransferanddisplayofdata
purpose
lossycompression
losslesscompression
filesizes

techniquesforfilesizeminimisation
cropping
resampling

strategiesforefficientonlinedatamanagement

strategiesforefficientdocumentversioncontrol

theconceptofcloudcomputing

systemutilitytoolsandaccessoriesfortheefficientoperationandmaintenanceofdata,including:
diskcleanuptools
deletionoftemporaryfiles/internetcache
diskfragmentation
antimalware,antivirus,SPAMfilter,spyware

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Skills

usecompressiontooptimisetransferanddisplayofdata

usesystemutilitytoolsandaccessoriestoensureefficientoperationandmaintenanceofdata

applydocumentversioncontrol

usedigitalcommunicationsmedia

Networks
Knowledge

theconceptandpurposeofcomputernetworking

advantagesanddisadvantagesofcomputernetworking

typesoftransmissionmedia,including:
opticfibre
wired
wireless

theconceptoftransmissionrates

networkcomponentsforinternetconnection
server
router
networkinterfacecard(NIC)
switch
modem

networktopologiesforlocalareanetwork(LANs)
wiredstar
wireless
clientserver
peertopeer

Skills

designasuitableLANtopologyforahomenetwork

Impactsoftechnology
Knowledge

roleofthePrivacyAct1988(Australia)on:
collectionofpersonalinformation
useofpersonalinformation
accesstopersonalinformation
identitytheft
safedisposalofdata

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theconceptofthedigitaldivideandassociatedissues,including:
availabilityofdigitalresources
dependencyofsocietyuponelectroniccommunication
useofdigitaltechnologies
availabilityofwebbasedapplications

theconceptofelectroniccommerce,including:
implicationsofimproveddigitalcommunications
24/7communications

issuesrelatedtothedependencyofsocietyuponelectronicandvisualcommunication,including:
requirementforpersonaldevelopmentoftechnologyskills
responsibilityformaintainingprivacywhenusingtechnology

Applicationskills
Knowledge

featuresofanimationsoftware
framebyframe
tweens
buttons
simpleactions
o stop
o start
o moveobject

featuresofaudiosoftware,including:
editing
converting
exporting

featuresofwebauthoring,including:
hyperlinks
graphics
templates
typesoffiles
o cascadingstylesheet(.css)
o hypertextmarkuplanguagefile(.htm/.html)

typesofonlinecollaboration

theconceptofresponsivedesign

Skills
useanimationsoftware
editaudiofiles
createanavigationmap
usewebauthoringsoftware
usemultimediaapplicationstoeditandcreatedigitalproductandordigitalsolution

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Projectmanagement
Knowledge

projectmanagementtechniques,including:
planofaction
timemanagementstrategies
resourcerequirements
managingresources
evaluation

Skills

applyprojectmanagementtechniquestomeetclientrequirementsoradesignbrief

applyadesignprocesstocreateadigitalproductand/ordigitalsolution

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School-based assessment
TheWesternAustralianCertificateofEducation(WACE)Manualcontainsessentialinformationonprinciples,
policiesandproceduresforschoolbasedassessmentthatneedstobereadinconjunctionwiththissyllabus.
Teachersdesignschoolbasedassessmenttaskstomeettheneedsofstudents.Thetablebelowprovides
detailsoftheassessmenttypesfortheAppliedInformationTechnologyGeneralYear12syllabusandthe
weightingforeachassessmenttype.

AssessmenttableYear12
Typeofassessment

Weighting

Project
Studentsresearchinformationtechnologybasedideasandprocessestocreatedigitalsolutions.Thisinvolves
theapplicationofprojectmanagementapproaches/techniquestoadesignprocess.
Theprojectcanrequirestudentstorefertostimulusmaterial.

50%

Stimulusmaterialcaninclude:extractsfromnewspapersorjournalarticles;screencapturesofonlinemedia;
diagrams;multimediaand/orgraphics;and/orascenario.
Shortanswer
Shortanswerquestionstypicallyrequirestudentstorespondtospecificquestionsand/oranalysedigital
technologyproductsand/ortrends.
Formatscanincludemultiplechoice,andopenandclosedquestionsthatcanbescaffoldedorsectionalised.
Scaffoldedorsectionalisedquestionsmayincreaseindifficulty.

20%

Questionscanrequirestudentstorefertostimulusmaterial.Stimulusmaterialcaninclude:extractsfrom
newspapersorjournalarticles;screencapturesofonlinemedia;diagrams;multimediaand/orgraphics;
and/orascenario.
Extendedanswer
Extendedanswerquestionscanbescaffoldedorsectionalised.Questionsareconnectedbyatheme,idea
and/orconcept.Questionscanrequirestudentstorefertostimulusmaterialanduseinterpretativeskills,
and/ortheapplicationofcriticalthinkingandanalysis.Stimulusmaterialcaninclude:extractsfrom
newspapersorjournalarticles;screencapturesofonlinemedia;diagrams;multimediaand/orgraphics;
and/orascenario.

15%

Externallysettask
AwrittentaskoritemorsetofitemsofonehourdurationdevelopedbytheSchoolCurriculumand
StandardsAuthorityandadministeredbytheschool.

15%

Teachersarerequiredtousetheassessmenttabletodevelopanassessmentoutlineforthepairofunits.
Theassessmentoutlinemust:

includeasetofassessmenttasks

includeageneraldescriptionofeachtask

indicatetheunitcontenttobeassessed

indicateaweightingforeachtaskandeachassessmenttype

includetheapproximatetimingofeachtask(forexample,theweekthetaskisconducted,ortheissue
andsubmissiondatesforanextendedtask).

Allassessmenttypesmustbeincludedintheassessmentoutlineatleasttwicewiththeexceptionofthe
externallysettaskwhichonlyoccursonce.
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ThesetofassessmenttasksmustprovidearepresentativesamplingofthecontentforUnit3andUnit4.
Assessmenttasksnotadministeredundertest/controlledconditionsrequireappropriate
validation/authenticationprocesses.

Externally set task

AllstudentsenrolledintheAppliedInformationTechnologyGeneralYear12coursewillcompletethe
externallysettaskdevelopedbytheAuthority.SchoolsarerequiredtoadministerthistaskinTerm2ata
timeprescribedbytheAuthority.

ExternallysettaskdesignbriefYear12
Time

Onehour
Written
Conductedunderinvigilatedconditions
Typicallybetweenfourandsevenquestions

Format

Questionscanrequirestudentstorefertostimulusmaterial.Stimulusmaterialcaninclude:
extractsfromnewspapersorjournalarticles;screencapturesofonlinemedia;diagrams;
multimediaand/orgraphics;and/orascenario.
TheAuthorityinformsschoolsduringTerm3ofthepreviousyearoftheUnit3syllabus
contentonwhichthetaskwillbebased

Content

RefertotheWACEManualforfurtherinformation.

Grading
Schoolsreportstudentachievementintermsofthefollowinggrades:
Grade Interpretation
A

Excellentachievement

Highachievement

Satisfactoryachievement

Limitedachievement

Verylowachievement

Theteacherpreparesarankedlistandassignsthestudentagradeforthepairofunits.Thegradeisbased
onthestudentsoverallperformanceasjudgedbyreferencetoasetofpredeterminedstandards.These
standardsaredefinedbygradedescriptionsandannotatedworksamples.Thegradedescriptionsforthe
AppliedInformationTechnologyGeneralYear12syllabusareprovidedinAppendix1.Theycanalsobe
accessed,togetherwithannotatedworksamples,throughtheGuidetoGradeslinkonthecoursepageof
theAuthoritywebsiteatwww.scsa.wa.edu.au
Tobeassignedagrade,astudentmusthavehadtheopportunitytocompletetheeducationprogram,
includingtheassessmentprogram(unlesstheschoolacceptsthatthereareexceptionalandjustifiable
circumstances).
RefertotheWACEManualforfurtherinformationabouttheuseofarankedlistintheprocessofassigning
grades.

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Appendix 1 Grade descriptions Year 12

Providesdetailedannotatedplanningandwrittendocumentationwhichexploresarangeofalternative
optionsandreflectsaclearandaccurateunderstandingofrelevantlegislation,ethicalandsocialissues.
Providesextensiveevidenceofanalysisusingarangeofcorrectlyacknowledgedsources,anduses
detailedandgenerallyconsistenttechnicallanguagethatinformsthedevelopmentofdigitalsolutions.
Clearlyandcorrectlyidentifiesandevaluatestheneedsofthetargetaudience,purposeoftheproject
andsystemrequirementsandappliestheseresultstodigitalsolutions.
Consistentlyinterpretsandanalyse the clientrequirementsinthedesignofdigitalsolutions,and
recommendsdetailedchangesinrelationtotheclientrequirements.
Appliesskillsandprocessesincollecting,transforming,organisingandstoringdatafromarangeof
sources,anddemonstratesanabilitytocompareandcontrastthecurrency,accuracyandauthenticityof
sources.
Demonstrateshighlydevelopedskillsin creatingdigitalsolutionsthroughaestheticapplicationofdesign
principles,andincorporatessomeoriginalinsightsanddemonstratescreativeapplication.

Providessuitablyannotatedplanningandwritten documentation, asprescribedbythetask,which

exploressomealternativeoptionsandreflectsasoundunderstandingofrelevantlegislation,ethicaland
socialissues.
Providesdetailedevidenceofanalysisusingacknowledgedsourcesandconsistentlyusessimpleaccurate
technicallanguagethatinformsthedevelopmentofdigitalsolutions.
Identifiesandevaluatestheneedsofthetargetaudience,purposeoftheproject,systemrequirements
andgenerallyappliestheseresultstodigitalsolutions.
Addressesthekeyrequirementsoftheclientwithsomeinterpretationandanalysisinthedesignof
digitalsolutions,andrecommendschangesinrelationtotheclientrequirements.
Withminimalguidance,isabletoapply skillsandprocessesintransforming,organisingandstoringdata
fromarangeofsources,anddemonstratesanabilitytoinvestigatecurrency,accuracyandauthenticity
ofsources.
Demonstratesskillsincreatingdigitalsolutionsusingaestheticapplicationofdesignprinciples, and
incorporatessomecapacityforcreativeapplication.

Providesadequateplanningandwritten documentation, meetingmosttaskrequirements,exploring

limitedoptions,andreflectsasatisfactoryunderstandingofrelevantlegislation,ethicalandsocialissues.
Providesminimalevidence,someanalysisandusesprovidedsourceswithoccasionalacknowledgement,
whileusingsimpletechnicallanguagethatinformsthedevelopmentofdigitalsolutions.
Adequatelyidentifiesandpartiallyevaluatessomeoftheneedsofthetargetaudience,purposeofthe
project,andsystemrequirementsandappliessomeoftheresultstodigitalsolutions.
Partiallyaddressesthekeyrequirementsoftheclientinthedesignofdigital solutionsandrecommends
somechangesinrelationtotheclientrequirements.
Withguidance,isabletodemonstrateskillsandprocessesintransforming,organisingandstoringdata
fromarangeofsources,andoccasionallydemonstratesanabilitytoinvestigatethecurrency,accuracy
andauthenticityofsources.
Demonstratesadequateskillsinthecreationofdigitalsolutions, applyingsomedesignprinciples, and
withsomecreativeapplication.

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Provideslimitedplanningandwritten documentation, meetingbasictaskrequirementswhichreflect

minimalunderstandingofrelevantlegislation,ethicalandsocialissues.
Provideslimitedevidenceofusingsuggestedsourceswithlittletonoacknowledgement,and
inconsistentuseoftechnicallanguagewithoccasionalinaccuraciesrelatedtodigitalsolutions.
Limitedidentificationoftheneedsofthetargetaudience,purposeoftheprojectandsystem
requirements,andminimallyappliesthisinformationinthecreationofdigitalsolutions.
Addressestheminimumrequirementsoftheclientwithlimitedinterpretationandanalysisinthedesign
ofadigitalsolutionandproductandmakesminimalrecommendationsforchangeinrelationtotheclient
requirements.
Withguidanceanddirection,demonstrateslimitedskillandprocessesintransforming,organising,and
storingdatafromseveralsources,anddemonstratesnoclearunderstandingoftheneedtoinvestigate
thecurrency,accuracy,andauthenticityofsources.
Demonstrateslimitedskillsinthecreationofdigitalsolutions, applyinglittletonodesignprinciples.

Planningandwrittendocumentationisoftenincompleteandisnotconsistentwithrelevantlegislation,
ethicalandsocialissues.
Littleornoresearchshownandlittletonouseoftechnicallanguagerelatingtospecificdigitalsolutions.
Littleornounderstandingofthetargetaudience,purposeofprojectandsystemrequirementsinthe
creationofdigitalsolutions.
Littleornoawarenessoftherequirementsoftheclient inthedesignofdigitalsolutions.
Withguidanceanddirection,applieslittletonoskillorprocessesinsourcingandorganisingdata;unable
toreliablytransformandmanagedigitaldataandidentifythecurrency,accuracyandauthenticityof
sources.
Demonstrateslittletonoskillsinthecreationofdigitalsolutions, applyinglittletonodesignprinciples.

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Appendix 2 Glossary
Thisglossaryisprovidedtoenableacommonunderstandingofthekeytermsinthissyllabus.
Compositionalrules

Providetherulesthatincludefocalpoint/centreofinterest,framing,leadinglines,
readinggravity,ruleofthirds,underlyinggeometricframework,eyeflow.
Focalpoint/Centreofinterestthecentralpointofattentionorinterest
withinadesign
Framingatechniqueusedtopresentanimagesothatitimmediately
capturestheviewersattention
Leadinglinesusedtodrawtheviewerintoanimagesothatitisseeninthe
wayintended.Thedesignerusesleadinglinessotheimageisviewedina
prescribedsequence
ReadinggravitythemannerinwhichWesternaudiencesreadfromleftto
rightandtoptobottom
Ruleofthirdsanimagecanbedividedintothirds,bothhorizontallyand
vertically,creatingnineparts.Theeyeisnaturallydrawntotheintersection
pointsofthesethirds.Thisprovidesagridforthedesignertoemploytodirect
attention
Underlyinggeometricframework,eyeflowthewayadesignerplanstheir
designtoensurethattheviewermovestheireyearoundthepage.

Digitalcitizenship

Themannerinwhichauseraccessesandinteractsusingdigitaltechnologies.
Responsibledigitalcitizenshipreferstothemajorconsiderationsofresponsible
digitalbehaviour,including:
Digitalaccesstheabilitytoaccesselectronictechnologies
Digitalcommercetheelectronicsaleand/orpurchaseofgoods
Digitalcommunicationtheexchangeofinformationviaelectronicdevices
Digitalliteracytheprocessofteachingandlearningabouttechnologyand
howitcanbeused
Digitaletiquetteacceptablecodesofconductwhencommunicatingonline
Digitallawthelawsthatgovernacceptablebehavioursintheonline
environment,includingcopyrightandspam
Digitalrightsandresponsibilitiestherightsandresponsibilitiesofanyone
operatingwithinthedigitalworld
Digitalhealthandwellnessthephysicalandmentalwellbeingofthose
operatinginthedigitalworld,includingergonomics,andInternetaddiction
Digitalsecurityensuringelectronicsafetyofdigitalcontentfromexternal
threat.

Elementsofdesign

Thepartsorcomponentswithinadesignthatcanbeindividuallydefined.
Together,theelementsofdesignconstructstheprinciplesofdesign.Theyprovide
thebasicstructurefortheproductandareresponsibleforcommunicatingthe
designintentions.Theplacementoftheelementsofdesigncanalterthemessage
communicated.

Evaluationcriteria

Thecriteriaemployedtoprovideaconsistent,standardisedevaluationofa
productsperformanceagainstanestablishedbenchmarkorsetofstandards

Layout

Theprocessofplanningandarranging,indetail,howthedesignwillbe
reproduced.Theprocessofplanningandarrangingofthedesignenablesthe
variouselementsofthedesigntoproduceanaestheticallypleasingand
harmoniousproduct.

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Principlesofdesign

Specificconceptsutilisedtoorganiseorarrangethestructuralaspectsofadesign.
Designerschooseprinciplestoensurethattheintentionoftheirmessageisclear
tothetargetaudience.

Project

Aprocessorenterprisethatisplanned,designedanddevelopedtoachievean
aim.InthecontextoftheAppliedInformationTechnologyGeneralcourse,
studentsresearchinformationtechnologybasedideasandprocessesthatrequire
theapplicationofprojectmanagementapproaches/techniquestoadesign
processtocreatequalitydigitalsolutions.

Projectmanagement

Thedisciplineofplanning,organising,securingandmanagingresourcestobring
aboutthesuccessfulcompletionofaprojectefficientlyandeffectively.

Productionprocess

Theproductionprocessreferstothestagesrequiredtocompleteaproduct,from
theideatothecompletionofthefinalproduct.

Responsivedesign

Awebdesignapproachaimedatproducingsitestoprovideanoptimalviewing
experience.Thisincludes:easyreadingandnavigation,requiringminimalresizing,
panning,andscrolling.Designsshouldalsobesuitableacrossawiderangeof
devices,includingsmartphones,tablets,laptopsanddesktopmonitors.

Styleguide

Thesetofrules,conventions,proceduresorstandardsusedforthedesigningand
developmentofdocumentsforpublication,eitherelectronicorprint.

Applied Information Technology | General| Year 12 syllabus