Digital Passport NZ by MindLab Unitec

MindLab has created a well constructed, easy to understand and even entertaining introduction to the new technology curriculum. A good starting point for any teachers wanting to know more about the new curriculum.     

The workshops are split into four levels 1-3, Year 3-5, Year 6-7 and Year 8 -10. After each workshop your given a certificate and an outline of what you have covered. See below:

Computational Thinking is a specific thought process that involves solving problems, designing systems, and understanding human behaviour

‘Debugging’ is the process of troubleshooting problems by testing and updating a solution until it completes its desired function

An ‘algorithm’ is a set of step-by-step instructions, like directions, that lead to the solution

Algorithms can be carried out through automation. Automation happens when a computer repeats monotonous tasks, like in a Google search or traffic lights

Input, processing, and output happens so quickly that the link between input and output appears immediate and seamless, even though it requires a significant amount of processing

Scratch is a child-friendly block based coding website used to teach coding

Computers represent data internally using binary numbers, which means that each digit that a computer stores is either a one or a zero

Students can predict how a computer program might behave based on 
         logical thinking

There are always multiple ways to code a solution

Looping, which is repeating a part of an algorithm, is an efficient method of writing code

Students can perform tasks on numerous digital devices, but some devices are better suited than others

Creating a website is a great way to teach children how to develop, manipulate, store, retrieve and share digital content

Software testing is the process of executing a program or application to find any potential problems (or ‘bugs’)

Debugging means fixing the problems found in the testing process

Selections are ‘if’ ‘then’ statements that allow your programmes to select between multiple possible courses of action.

Sorting algorithms are useful because sorted data is much easier to search, both for people and computers

A Bubble Sort repeatedly compares items of data in a sequence of pairs and then sorts them in order

An Insertion Sort repeatedly chooses one item of data and inserts it into its correct position from the beginning of the collection of data.

A Quick Sort repeatedly chooses one item of data and then organises all the other data into two groups; one group that contains all the data that should come before it, and another group that contains all the data that should come after it.

One way to detect errors in transmitted data is to use a ‘parity bit’, an extra binary digit added to the data that tells the computer if the data has been changed

Testing digital content requires receiving feedback from your users and making updates that cater to their needs

A heuristic is a technique designed for solving a problem more quickly when classic methods are too slow, or for finding an approximate solution when classic methods fail to find any exact solution.

A device’s operating system manages the memory and processes as well as the software and hardware of the device

Variables are values in a programme that can change over time

A common type of security breach is called phishing. Phishers try to trick you into giving them your personal information

‘Agile’ is an approach based on iterative development and responding to user feedback in order to develop products that meet customer needs

‘Lean’ is an approach that focuses on optimising efficiency and eliminating wasteful activity in the context of software development