Digital Technologies at Whitfield
At Whitfield State School, Digital Technologies prepares students to become confident, creative and responsible users of technology. Students use digital tools (such as 'Scratch' a free block based programming language, Lego Mindstorms robotics kits, bee-bots and spheros) to investigate ideas, solve authentic problems and create innovative solutions through activities such as coding, robotics and digital design. Our approach develops computational thinking, collaboration and safe, ethical technology use, supporting every student to become a skilled responsible technology user prepared for the future.
Digital Technologies is taught as part of the Australian Curriculum in Queensland schools. Students learn how digital systems and data work and apply computational thinking to design and create digital solutions. Through increasingly complex learning experiences, they collect and represent data, develop algorithms, use programming and evaluate their solutions. Students also learn to protect their privacy, behave safely and responsibly online, and consider how technology affects individuals, communities and the environment.
Technology Skills Across the Curriculum
Alongside the Digital Technologies curriculum, students develop practical technology skills in their everyday classroom learning with their primary teachers. They learn to use digital tools for research, communication, collaboration and creativity, including word processing, presentations and multimedia production. Students build publishing and production skills by creating well-designed written, visual, audio and video texts, while using a range of educational platforms and applications to support learning across curriculum areas. These experiences help students become capable, efficient and responsible users of technology.
The school has a technology use policy which outlines our smart balance for technology use for learning across our school.
Elements of Digital Technology at Whitfield State School
Digital Technology Specialist program – Weekly classroom specialist lessons for 6 months of every year for every student. Students learn Digital Technology as part of the Australian Curriculum and this subject is assessed and reported against these standards.
Peak Construction, Lego and Technology Clubs – Weekly lunchtime club program for those younger students interested in Design and construction as well broader digital technology curriculum areas. This program includes between 20 and 30 children.
Peak Digital Technology Academy – With weekly practice and instruction sessions during lunch and class time, our Peak Digital Technology Academy, includes up to 30 children in Coding and robotics excellence learning. These students participate in competitions like the premiers coding challenge and is supported by external partnerships.