Australia · ACARA Content Descriptions
Year 1 Technologies
This course introduces Year 1 students to the foundational concepts of computational thinking and digital systems. Students explore how data represents ideas, how to sequence instructions for robotic devices, and the importance of safety in a digital environment.
01Hardware and Software Heroes
Students explore the physical parts of a computer and the applications that make them work. They learn to identify common digital systems and their specific purposes in daily life.
Students identify and categorize various digital devices found in their daily lives, understanding their primary functions.
Identifying the screen, keyboard, mouse, and internal components that make digital devices function.
Understanding how we give information to a device and how it gives information back to us.
Differentiating between the physical device and the programs that run on it to perform tasks.
Students learn about the basic function of an operating system as the 'brain' that manages a computer's hardware and software.
Students learn basic troubleshooting steps for common device problems, like checking power or restarting an app.
02The Language of Data
Students investigate how digital systems represent data through symbols and patterns. They practice collecting and organizing information to solve simple problems.
Learning how images, icons, and emojis can communicate complex ideas quickly.
Gathering information from the classroom and categorizing it to find patterns.
Identifying and creating patterns using digital tools to understand how computers process information.
Students learn to create simple pictographs and bar graphs to visualize collected data.
Students identify examples of data in their daily lives, such as weather forecasts or class attendance.
Students use simple data to make decisions, like choosing a class activity based on a vote.
03Thinking in Steps
An introduction to algorithms and computational thinking. Students learn to break down everyday tasks into small, logical steps.
Defining algorithms as a sequence of steps used to complete a task or solve a problem.
Practicing decomposition by taking a big task and splitting it into smaller, manageable parts.
Exploring simple decision making in instructions using 'if-then' logic.
Students create algorithms for everyday routines, like getting ready for school or making breakfast.
Identifying repeating patterns within sequences of instructions to simplify algorithms.
Students analyze the steps involved in playing simple games and create their own game instructions.
04Robot Command Center
Students apply their algorithmic knowledge to control physical or on-screen robots, focusing on precision and debugging.
Learning the importance of precise language when programming a device to move.
Identifying errors in a sequence of code and finding ways to fix them.
Discovering how to use loops to make instructions shorter and more efficient.
Students introduce simple 'if-then' conditions into robot commands, like 'if obstacle, then turn'.
Students design and test simple sequences of commands to make a robot move from one point to another.
Students solve mazes and navigation puzzles by programming robot movements.
05Our Connected Community
Exploring how digital systems connect people and how information travels across networks.
Visualizing how computers and people are linked together to share information.
Developing basic digital citizenship skills and understanding the importance of privacy.
Understanding how we protect our digital work and why security is important.
Students learn about appropriate ways to share digital content with friends and family.
Introducing the idea that actions online leave a 'digital footprint' and its implications.
Students begin to understand that not everything online is true and the importance of checking with an adult.
06Tech for Good
Students evaluate the impact of technology on their lives and design a digital solution for a real-world classroom problem.
Comparing how people did things in the past with how we use technology today.
Discussing what happens to old technology and how to use devices responsibly.
Using design thinking to create a prototype of a new digital tool that helps the school.
Students brainstorm various problems in their school or community that could be solved with technology.
Students create simple drawings or mock-ups of their digital solution, focusing on user interface.
Students explore how technology helps people communicate over long distances and in different ways.
07Creative Digital Storytelling
Students use digital tools to create and share their own stories, focusing on multimedia elements.
Students use drawing tools or image libraries to create visual narratives.
Exploring how sound effects and music can enhance a digital story.
Students design and draw their own characters using simple digital art tools.
Introduction to basic animation concepts by making characters move across the screen.
Students learn how to save and present their digital stories to an audience.
Students create digital backgrounds to set the scene for their stories.
08Digital Tools for Learning
Students explore various digital tools that support learning across different subjects.
Students practice using digital drawing applications to create art and diagrams.
Introduction to using keyboards and simple word processing tools for writing.
Students explore educational games and apps that teach various subjects.
Students learn to work together on simple digital projects, like shared drawings or stories.
Introduction to saving and finding digital files in simple folders.
Students learn how digital calendars can help organize their school day or remember important events.