Glossary
Effortlessly navigate the QCAA Digital Solutions Glossary to find and understand key terms and concepts
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A
ATAR
Australian Tertiary Admission Rank
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Abstraction
A process of reducing complexity to formulate generalised fundamental ideas or concepts removed from specific details or situation, e.g. the idea that a cricket ball is a sphere in the same way that a soccer ball is, or the concept that data can be organised in records made up of fields irrespective of whether the data are numbers, text, images or something else; abstraction involves hiding details of an idea, problem or solution that are not relevant to focus on a manageable number of aspects
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Accomplished
Highly trained or skilled in a particular activity; perfected in knowledge or training; expert
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Accuracy
The condition or quality of being true, correct or exact; freedom from error or defect; precision or exactness; correctness; in science, the extent to which a measurement result represents the quantity it purports to measure; an accurate measurement result includes an estimate of the true value and an estimate of the uncertainty
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Accurate
Precise and exact; to the point; consistent with or exactly conforming to a truth, standard, rule, model, convention or known fact; free from error or defect; meticulous; correct in all details
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Adept
Very/highly skilled or proficient at something; expert
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Adequate
Satisfactory or acceptable in quality or quantity; equal to the requirement or occasion
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Algorithm
Step-by-step procedures required to solve a problem, e.g. to find the largest number in a list of positive numbers; note the first number as the largest; look through the remaining numbers in turn, and if a number is larger than the number found in the first step, note it as the largest; repeat this process until complete; the last noted number is the largest in the list; an algorithm may be described in many ways; pseudocode is often useful in visualising an algorithm
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Analyse
Dissect to ascertain and examine constituent parts and/or their relationships; break down or examine in order to identify the essential elements, features, components or structure; determine the logic and reasonableness of information; examine or consider something in order to explain and interpret it for the purpose of finding meaning or relationships and identifying patterns, similarities and differences
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Animation
A series of images that when combined suggest movement; animations are of varying sophistication and may use two-dimensional or three-dimensional imaging; these may be images of: an object moving, moving around an object, moving through a space, parts moving, or moving from external to internal views, or vice versa
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Animations and Simulations
Animations and simulations are visually oriented solutions with an emphasis on animation and providing users with instant feedback through graphics and interaction. Simulations may model phenomena with a set of simple rules. Animations and simulations allow students to observe behaviours of basic computational processes
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Annotated
Made or furnished critical or explanatory notes, or comments to a picture, drawing, sketch or diagram
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Annotations
Explanatory notes or comments; usually added to a sketch or drawing
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App
A software application with a very specific or narrow purpose designed to run on mobile devices (such as smartphones or tablets), through a web browser or on a personal computer; the feature set of an application is limited when compared with a full-featured desktop application for a similar purpose, e.g. a photo-editing application has a smaller set of features than an industry-standard photographic suite
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Applied Learning
The acquisition and application of knowledge, understanding and skills in real-world or lifelike contexts that may encompass workplace, industry and community situations; it emphasises learning through doing and includes both theory and the application of theory, connecting subject knowledge and understanding with the development of practical skills
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Applied Subject
A subject whose primary pathway is work and vocational education; it emphasises applied learning and community connections; a subject for which a syllabus has been developed by the QCAA with the following characteristics: results from courses developed from Applied syllabuses contribute to the QCE; results may contribute to ATAR calculations
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Apply
Use knowledge and understanding in response to a given situation or circumstance; carry out or use a procedure in a given or particular situation
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Appraise
Evaluate the worth, significance or status of something; judge or consider a text or piece of work
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Appreciate
Recognise or make a judgment about the value or worth of something; understand fully; grasp the full implications of
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Appropriate
Acceptable; suitable or fitting for a particular purpose, circumstance, context etc.
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Apt
Suitable to the purpose or occasion; fitting; appropriate
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Area of Study
A division of, or a section within, a unit
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Argue
Give reasons for or against something; challenge or debate an issue or idea; persuade, prove or try to prove by giving reasons
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Aspect
A particular part of a feature of something; a facet, phase or part of a whole
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Assess
Measure, determine, evaluate, estimate or make a judgment about the value, quality, outcomes, results, size, significance, nature or extent of something
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Assessment
Purposeful and systematic collection of information about students' achievements
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Assessment Instrument
A tool or device used to gather information about student achievement
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Assessment Objectives
Drawn from the unit objectives and contextualised for the requirements of the assessment instrument (see also 'syllabus objectives', 'unit objectives')
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Assessment Technique
The method used to gather evidence about student achievement, (e.g. examination, project, investigation)
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Assignment
A basic construct of an algorithm used to store the value of an expression into a variable
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Astute
Showing an ability to accurately assess situations or people; of keen discernment
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Audience
An individual or group for whom the response is designed and delivered
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Authoritative
Able to be trusted as being accurate or true; reliable; commanding and self-confident; likely to be respected and obeyed
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B
Balanced
Keeping or showing a balance; not biased; fairly judged or presented; taking everything into account in a fair, well-judged way
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Basic
Fundamental
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Binary
Two states or permissible values to represent data, such as ON and OFF positions of a light switch or transistors in a computer silicon chip that can be in either the electrical state of ON or OFF; binary data are typically represented as a series of single digits referred to as binary digits (or bits) due to each taking on the value of either 0 or 1
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Branching
Making a decision between two or more actions depending on sets of conditions and the data provided, e.g. in testing whether a light works
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C
Calculate
Determine or find (e.g. a number, answer) by using mathematical processes; obtain a numerical answer showing the relevant stages in the working; ascertain/determine from given facts, figures or information
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Categorise
Place in or assign to a particular class or group; arrange or order by classes or categories; classify, sort out; sort; separate
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Challenging
Difficult but interesting; testing one
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Characteristics
A set of distinguishing aspects (including attributes and behaviours) of an object, material, living thing, system or event; in Digital Solutions, e.g. the characteristics of a stored digital graphic may be the colour depth (maximum number of colours represented), the resolution (number of pixels per area, or height and width) and the compression used
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Clarify
Make clear or intelligible; explain; make a statement or situation less confused and more comprehensible
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Clarity
Clearness of thought or expression; the quality of being coherent and intelligible; free from obscurity of sense; without ambiguity; explicit; easy to perceive, understand or interpret
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Class Time
Includes the time made available for students to independently respond to extended assessment tasks and any associated and required teaching and learning time
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Classify
Arrange, distribute or order in classes or categories according to shared qualities or characteristics
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Clear
Free from confusion, uncertainty or doubt; easily seen, heard or understood
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Clearly
In a clear manner; plainly and openly; without ambiguity
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Coding
Translating programming logic into code, i.e. the implementation of a solution using tools, techniques and best practices
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Coherent
Having a natural or due agreement of parts; connected; consistent; logical; orderly; well-structured and makes sense; rational, with parts that are harmonious; having an internally consistent relation of parts
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Cohesive
Characterised by being united, bound together or having integrated meaning; forming a united whole
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Collaborate
Work with others to conduct a specific task
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Comment
Express an opinion, observation or reaction in speech or writing; give a judgment based on a given statement or result of a calculation
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Communicate
Convey knowledge and/or understandings to others; make known; transmit
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Compare
Display recognition of similarities and differences and recognise the significance of these similarities and differences
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Competent
Having suitable or sufficient skills, knowledge, experience etc. for some purpose; adequate but not exceptional; capable; suitable or sufficient for the purpose; having the necessary ability, knowledge or skill to do something successfully; efficient and capable (of a person); acceptable and satisfactory, though not outstanding
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Competently
In an efficient and capable way; in an acceptable and satisfactory, though not outstanding, way
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Complex
Composed or consisting of many different and interconnected parts or factors; compound; composite; characterised by an involved combination of parts; complicated; intricate; a complex whole or system; a complicated assembly of particulars
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Components
Parts (made of two or more elements) that make up a whole object or system and perform specific functions, e.g., a digital solution usually includes three components: data, system/user interface and text-based source code that may be interpreted or compiled
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Comprehend
Understand the meaning or nature of; grasp mentally
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Comprehensive
Inclusive; of large content or scope; including or dealing with all or nearly all elements or aspects of something; wide-ranging; detailed and thorough, including all that is relevant
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Compression
A process of encoding information using fewer bits, i.e. 0 or 1, than an original representation, to reduce file size, typically using mathematical formulas to remove repeated data, combine related data or simplify data, e.g. a line segment can be represented by the position of the end points instead of every dot on it; common examples include: - .zip files, which can contain one or more files or folders that have been compressed - .jpg files in digital photography are produced by processing complete (lossless) data from a camera's sensor through compressing (looking for redundant/unnecessary data) into a smaller file size - .mp3 files for audio, which compress an original audio source to reduce the file size significantly but still sound like an exact copy of the original
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Computational Thinking
A problem-solving method that involves various techniques and strategies that can be implemented by digital systems; techniques and strategies may include organising data logically, breaking down problems into parts, defining abstract concepts, and designing and using algorithms, patterns and models
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Concise
Expressing much in few words; giving a lot of information clearly and in a few words; brief, comprehensive and to the point; succinct; clear; without repetition of information
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Concisely
In a way that is brief but comprehensive; expressing much in few words; clearly and succinctly
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Condition
A logical expression that evaluates to true or false; a pre-condition is a statement or set of statements that describes a condition or conditions that should be true when a specific operation is called; a post-condition is a statement or set of statements that describes a condition or conditions that should be true when the operation has completed its task
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Conduct
Direct in action or course; manage; organise; carry out
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Consider
Think deliberately or carefully about something, typically before making a decision; take something into account when making a judgment; view attentively or scrutinise; reflect on
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Considerable
Fairly large or great; thought about deliberately and with a purpose
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Considered
Formed after careful and deliberate thought
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Consistent
Agreeing or accordant; compatible; not self-opposed or self-contradictory; constantly adhering to the same principles; acting in the same way over time, especially so as to be fair or accurate; unchanging in nature, standard or effect over time; not containing any logical contradictions (of an argument); constant in achievement or effect over a period of time
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Construct
Create or put together (e.g. an argument) by arranging ideas or items; display information in a diagrammatic or logical form; make; build
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Content
The things that are held or included in something, includes context, concepts, principles, processes, purpose and scenarios
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Context
The circumstances that form the setting for an event, statement or idea, and in terms of which it can be fully understood
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Contrast
Display recognition of differences by deliberate juxtaposition of contrary elements; show how things are different or opposite; give an account of the differences between two or more items or situations, referring to both or all of them throughout
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Control Systems
A device or set of devices to manage, command, direct or regulate the behaviour of other devices or systems; a mechanical, optical or electronic system that is used to maintain a desired output
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Controlled
Shows the exercise of restraint or direction over; held in check; restrained, managed or kept within certain bounds
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Convincing
Persuaded by argument or proof; leaving no margin of doubt; clear; capable of causing someone to believe that something is true or real; persuading or assuring by argument or evidence; appearing worthy of belief; credible or plausible
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Course
A defined amount of learning developed from a subject syllabus
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Create
Bring something into being or existence; produce or evolve from one's own thought or imagination; reorganise or put elements together into a new pattern or structure; to form a coherent or functional whole
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Creative
Resulting from originality of thought or expression; relating to or involving the use of the imagination or original ideas to create something; having good imagination or original ideas
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Credible
Capable or worthy of being believed; believable; convincing
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Criteria
Characteristics by which something is evaluated or appraised; the teacher or client (prescribed) or students (self-determined) develop criteria, e.g. specific needs, identified purpose, impacts quality or effectiveness of solution
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Criterion
The property or characteristic by which something is judged or appraised
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Critical
Involving skilful judgment as to truth, merit etc.; involving the objective analysis and evaluation of an issue in order to form a judgment; expressing or involving an analysis of the merits and faults of a work of literature, music or art; incorporating a detailed and scholarly analysis and commentary (of a text); rationally appraising for logical consistency and merit
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Cursory
Hasty, and therefore not thorough or detailed; performed with little attention to detail; going rapidly over something, without noticing details; superficial
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D
Data
In Digital Solutions, discrete representation of information using number codes; data may include characters (e.g. alphabetic letters, numbers and symbols), images, sounds and/or instructions that, when represented by number codes, can be manipulated, stored and communicated by digital systems, e.g. characters may be represented using ASCII code or images may be represented by a bitmap of numbers representing each
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Data Collection
Describes the numerical, categorical or textual facts measured, collected, e.g. from data loggers or harvested from local councils, Australian Bureau of Statistics or other websites, or calculated as the basis for creating information and its binary representation in digital systems
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Data Flow Diagrams
Visual representations describing the flow of data through a system
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Data Validation
In computer science, ensuring that data inserted into an application satisfies defined formats and other input criteria
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Database
A collection of data organised by records and fields that can be easily stored, accessed, managed and updated; each discrete piece of data to be stored is represented by a field (e.g. song title, song artist or bank account number, date of transaction) and values in the fields that are associated with an entity (e.g. a song, a bank transaction) are a record; interaction with a database usually takes place through a user interface designed specifically for the structure and use of the stored data
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Decide
Reach a resolution as a result of consideration; make a choice from a number of alternatives
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Declarative Knowledge
The facts and information known in a particular field or in total, as compared to procedural knowledge which is concerned with knowing how to carry out a task
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Decomposition
To separate a complex problem into parts to allow a problem to be more easily understood, e.g. to create an interactive story, one can decompose the problem to a list of characters and their characteristics (e.g. clothing), the actions of the characters, the backdrops and the sequence of scenes with reference to which characters, actions and backdrops are involved in each scene; decomposition may be represented in diagrams
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Deconstructing
A process of dismantling or pulling apart a product or system to systematically identify and analyse components and their relationships
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Deduce
Reach a conclusion that is necessarily true, provided a given set of assumptions is true; arrive at, reach or draw a logical conclusion from reasoning and the information given
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Defensible
Justifiable by argument; capable of being defended in argument
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Define
Give the meaning of a word, phrase, concept or physical quantity; state meaning and identify or describe qualities
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Demonstrate
Prove or make clear by argument, reasoning or evidence, illustrating with practical example; show by example; give a practical exhibition
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Derive
Arrive at by reasoning; manipulate a mathematical relationship to give a new equation or relationship; in mathematics, obtain the derivative of a function
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Describe
Give an account (written or spoken) of a situation, event, pattern or process, or of the characteristics or features of something
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Design Thinking
Use of strategies for understanding design problems, visualising and generating creative ideas, and analysing and evaluating those ideas that best meet the criteria for success; students use both convergent and divergent thinking skills; divergent thinking supports creativity and the generation of a range of ideas, and convergent thinking supports the selection and generation of a preferred solution
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Desk Checking
A method used by a human to check the logic of a computer program's algorithm to reduce the likelihood of errors occurring; this may be done on paper, using a diagram or mentally trying a sample of typical inputs to see what the outputs would be; e.g. to desk check a branching statement (IF age > 65 THEN retire ELSE keep working), the values for age of 64, 65 and 66 could be
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Detailed
Executed with great attention to the fine points; meticulous; including many of the parts or facts
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Determine
Establish, conclude or ascertain after consideration, observation, investigation or calculation; decide or come to a resolution
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Develop
Elaborate, expand or enlarge in detail; add detail and fullness to; cause to become more complex or intricate
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Devise
Think out; plan; contrive; invent
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Differentiate
Identify the difference/s in or between two or more things; distinguish, discriminate; recognise or ascertain what makes something distinct from similar things; in mathematics, obtain the derivative of a function
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Digital Games
Interactive digital solutions that can be used for entertainment purposes.
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Digital Information
The nature and forms of information stored digitally, and processes that transform digital data into information for various purposes and meanings, including structures, properties, features and conventions of particular forms of digital information and appropriate methods of storage, transmission and presentation of each form
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Digital Technologies
Any technology controlled using digital instructions, including computer hardware and software, digital media and media devices, digital toys and accessories, and contemporary and emerging communication technologies; these technologies are based on instructions given, using binary (0 or 1) code, that invariably mean one or more processors are present to respond to these instructions; computers, smartphones, digital cameras, printers and robots are all examples of digital technologies
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Discerning
Discriminating; showing intellectual perception; showing good judgment; making thoughtful and astute choices; selected for value or relevance
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Discriminate
Note, observe or recognise a difference; make or constitute a distinction in or between; differentiate; note or distinguish as different
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Discriminating
Differentiating; distinctive; perceiving differences or distinctions with nicety; possessing discrimination; perceptive and judicious; making judgments about quality; having or showing refined taste or good judgment
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Discuss
Examine by argument; sift the considerations for and against; debate; talk or write about a topic, including a range of arguments, factors or hypotheses; consider, taking into account different issues and ideas, points for and/or against, and supporting opinions or conclusions with evidence
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Disjointed
Disconnected; incoherent; lacking a coherent order/sequence or connection
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Distinguish
Recognise as distinct or different; note points of difference between; discriminate; discern; make clear a difference/s between two or more concepts or items
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Diverse
Of various kinds or forms; different from each other
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Document
Support (e.g. an assertion, claim, statement) with evidence (e.g. decisive information, written references, citations)
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Draw Conclusions
Make a judgment based on reasoning and evidence
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E
Effective
Successful in producing the intended, desired or expected result; meeting the assigned purpose
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Efficient
Working in a well-organised and competent way; maximum productivity with minimal expenditure of effort; acting or producing effectively with a minimum of waste, expense or unnecessary effort
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Elementary
Simple or uncompounded; relating to or dealing with elements, rudiments or first principles (of a subject); of the most basic kind; straightforward and uncomplicated
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Elements
Constituent parts of a more complex whole; a fundamental, essential or irreducible part of a composite entity; two or more elements make a component
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Elements and Principles of Visual Communication
The elements form the basic components of visual communication; they are acted upon by principles that are ways of arranging or organising the elements; principles are something that can be repeatedly and dependably done with elements to produce some sort of visual effect
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Encryption
A process in cryptography of encoding (converting) data, using mathematical formulas, into a form that only an intended recipient can decode, often including a personal digital signature, e.g., when connecting to an online banking or shopping website, typically on login, a secure communication is set up based on encryption provided at the website, and this will be represented by a https://URL and a lock symbol on the user's internet browser
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Erroneous
Based on or containing error; mistaken; incorrect
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Essential
Absolutely necessary; indispensable; of critical importance for achieving something
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Ethical
Relating to moral principles that govern a person's or group's behaviour
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Evaluate
Make an appraisal by weighing up or assessing strengths, implications and limitations; make judgments about ideas, works, solutions or methods in relation to selected criteria; examine and determine the merit, value or significance of something, based on criteria
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Examination
A supervised test that assesses the application of a range of cognitions to one or more provided items such as questions, scenarios and/or problems; student responses are completed individually, under supervised conditions, and in a set timeframe
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Examine
Investigate, inspect or scrutinise; inquire or search into; consider or discuss an argument or concept in a way that uncovers the assumptions and interrelationships of the issue
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Explain
Make an idea or situation plain or clear by describing it in more detail or revealing relevant facts; give an account; provide additional information
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Explicit
Clearly and distinctly expressing all that is meant; unequivocal; clearly developed or formulated; leaving nothing merely implied or suggested
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Explore
Look into both closely and broadly; scrutinise; inquire into or discuss something in detail
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Express
Convey, show or communicate (e.g. a thought, opinion, feeling, emotion, idea or viewpoint); in words, art, music or movement, convey or suggest a representation of; depict
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Extended Response
An open-ended assessment technique that focuses on the interpretation, analysis, examination and/or evaluation of ideas and information in response to a particular situation or stimulus; while students may undertake some research when writing the extended response, it is not the focus of this technique; an extended response occurs over an extended and defined period of time
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Extension Subject
A two-unit subject (Units 3 and 4), for which a syllabus has been developed by the QCAA, that is an extension of one or more General subject/s, studied concurrently with, or after completion of, Units 3 and 4 of that subject
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Extensive
Of great extent; wide; broad; far-reaching; comprehensive; lengthy; detailed; large in amount or scale
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External Assessment
Summative assessment that occurs towards the end of a course of study and is common to all schools; developed and marked by the QCAA according to a commonly applied marking scheme
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External Examination
A supervised test, developed and marked by the QCAA, that assesses the application of a range of cognitions to multiple provided items such as questions, scenarios and/or problems; student responses are completed individually, under supervised conditions, and in a set timeframe
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Extrapolate
Infer or estimate by extending or projecting known information; conjecture; infer from what is known; extend the application of something (e.g. a method or conclusion) to an unknown situation by assuming that existing trends will continue or similar methods will be applicable
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F
Factual
Relating to or based on facts; concerned with what is actually the case; actually occurring; having verified existence
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Familiar
Well-acquainted; thoroughly conversant with; well known from long or close association; often encountered or experienced; common; (of materials, texts, skills or circumstances) having been the focus of learning experiences or previously encountered in prior learning activities
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Feasible
Capable of being achieved, accomplished or put into effect; reasonable enough to be believed or accepted; probable; likely
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Features
Prominent or conspicuous elements, components or characteristics of a structured whole
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Fluent
Spoken or written with ease; able to speak or write smoothly, easily or readily; articulate; eloquent; in artistic performance, characteristic of a highly developed and excellently controlled technique; polished; flowing smoothly, easily and effortlessly
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Fluently
In a graceful and seemingly effortless manner; in a way that progresses smoothly and readily
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Formative Assessment
Assessment whose major purpose is to improve teaching and student achievement
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Fragmented
Disorganised; broken down; disjointed or isolated
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Frequent
Happening or occurring often at short intervals; constant, habitual or regular
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Fundamental
Forming a necessary base or core; of central importance; affecting or relating to the essential nature of something; part of a foundation or basis
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G
General Subject
A subject for which a syllabus has been developed by the QCAA with the following characteristics: results from courses developed from General syllabuses contribute to the QCE; General subjects have an external assessment component; results may contribute to ATAR calculations
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Generate
Produce; create; bring into existence
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H
Hypothesise
Formulate a supposition to account for known facts or observed occurrences; conjecture, theorise or speculate, especially on uncertain or tentative grounds
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I
IF
A conditional decision statement used to control the flow of a program (see branching); the structure of an IF statement evaluates an expression (e.g. hour < 12) and performs a specified code block only if the condition is true; e.g.: if hour < 12: print (
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ISMG
Instrument-specific marking guide; a tool for marking that describes the characteristics evident in student responses and aligns with the identified objectives for the assessment (see 'assessment objectives')
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Ideas
Thoughts, notions or suggestions as to a possible course of action
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Identify
Distinguish; locate, recognise and name; establish or indicate who or what someone or something is; provide an answer from a number of possibilities; recognise and state a distinguishing factor or feature
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Illogical
Lacking sense or sound reasoning; contrary to or disregardful of the rules of logic; unreasonable
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Impacts
Describes analysing and predicting the extent to which personal, social and economic needs are met through existing and emerging digital technologies; appreciating the transformative potential of digital technologies in people's lives. It also involves consideration of the relationship between information systems and society and in particular the ethical and legal obligations of individuals and organisations regarding ownership, privacy of data and information
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Implement
Put something into effect, e.g. a plan or proposal
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Implementation
The automation of an algorithm, typically by using appropriate software or writing a computer program
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Implicit
Implied, rather than expressly stated; not plainly expressed; capable of being inferred from something else
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Improbable
Not probable; unlikely to be true or to happen; not easy to believe
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In-Depth
Comprehensive and with thorough coverage; extensive or profound; well-balanced or fully developed
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Inaccurate
Not accurate
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Inappropriate
Not suitable or proper in the circumstances
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Inconsistent
Lacking agreement, as one thing with another, or two or more things in relation to each other; at variance; not consistent; not in keeping; not in accordance; incompatible; incongruous
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Independent
Thinking or acting for oneself, not influenced by others
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Infer
Derive or conclude something from evidence and reasoning, rather than from explicit statements; listen or read beyond what has been literally expressed; imply or hint at
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Information
Knowledge, evidence
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Informed
Knowledgeable; learned; having relevant knowledge; being conversant with the topic; based on an understanding of the facts of the situation (of a decision or judgment)
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Innovation
Either something new or a change made to an existing product, process, idea or field
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Innovative
New and original; introducing new ideas; original and creative in thinking
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Insightful
Showing understanding of a situation or process; understanding relationships in complex situations; informed by observation and deduction
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Instrument-specific marking guide
ISMG; a tool for marking that describes the characteristics evident in student responses and aligns with the identified objectives for the assessment (see
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Integral
Adjective: necessary for the completeness of the whole; essential or fundamental; Noun: in mathematics, the result of integration; an expression from which a given function, equation or system of equations is derived by differentiation
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Intelligent systems
Include hardware components with sensing and actuating technology and solutions that focus on automated systems designed for a user experience; these technologies allow students to explore how computational processes respond to given inputs (e.g. environmental information such as light or sound) to produce specified outputs; feedback occurs through tight loops, allowing for trial-and-error investigations
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Intended
Designed; meant; done on purpose; intentional
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Interactions
Reciprocal action or exchange or influence between humans or the environment and digital or information systems, especially relating to user interfaces, this encompasses communication and collaboration facilitated by digital systems
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Interactive
A form of digital prototype that allows the two-way flow of information between a computer and user
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Interactive media
Generate visual or auditory outputs based on user input or enhance the productivity of the user; projects include computer-generated simulations, digital games, learning objects and productivity applications
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Internal assessment
Assessments that are developed by schools; summative internal assessments are endorsed by the QCAA before use in schools and results externally confirmed contribute towards a student
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Internet of Things
The Internet of Things vision is for a world full of networked physical objects; the Internet of Things is concerned with equipping objects with internet accessible identification and data sharing capabilities; ideally, these objects are augmented with sensing, processing and network capabilities, providing them with the ability to make sense of their local situation and interact within a given context
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Interpret
Use knowledge and understanding to recognize trends and draw conclusions from given information; make clear or explicit; elucidate or understand in a particular way; bring out the meaning of, e.g., a dramatic or musical work, by performance or execution; bring out the meaning of an artwork by artistic representation or performance; give one's own interpretation of
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Investigate
Carry out an examination or formal inquiry in order to establish or obtain facts and reach new conclusions; search, inquire into, interpret and draw conclusions about data and information
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Investigation
An assessment technique that requires students to research a specific problem, question, issue, design challenge or hypothesis through the collection, analysis and synthesis of primary and/or secondary data; it uses research or investigative practices to assess a range of cognitions in a particular context; an investigation occurs over an extended and defined period of time
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Irrelevant
Not relevant; not applicable or pertinent; not connected with or relevant to something
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Isolated
Detached, separate or unconnected with other things; one-off; something set apart or characterised as different in some way
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Iteration
A repetition of a process or set of instructions in computer programming where each repeated cycle builds on a previous (see 'REPEAT statement'); typically this uses a FOR loop command with a counter such as the example below to add the numbers from 1 to 9; for number = 1 to 9; sum = sum + number
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Iterative
Recursive; revisiting earlier parts of a process to further clarify meaning or refine ideas and solutions
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J
Judge
Form an opinion or conclusion about; apply both procedural and deliberative operations to make a determination
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Justified
Sound reasons or evidence are provided to support an argument, statement or conclusion
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Justify
Give reasons or evidence to support an answer, response or conclusion; show or prove how an argument, statement or conclusion is right or reasonable
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K
Keys
Unique identifiers in a relational database used to ensure that a record in a table can be uniquely identified by one or a combination of fields within a table; three common types are: primary: a relational database has only one primary key; it is a unique identifier for each record used to help establish relationships with other tables, e.g. licence number, phone number, student ID secondary keys; secondary: a table may have more than one choice for the primary key; only one is chosen as the primary key; those not chosen are known as secondary keys, e.g. if student ID is chosen as the primary key, other choices including licence number and phone number are secondary keys; foreign: a foreign key from one table that appears as a field in another where the first table has a relationship to the second, e.g. if table A has a primary key X that linked to table B where X was a field in B, then X would be a foreign key in B.
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L
Learning Area
A grouping of subjects, with related characteristics, within a broad field of learning, e.g. the Arts, sciences, languages
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Learning Objects
Digital solutions that can be used to support learners; they can be created: for instructional problems; to model procedures; to be informational.
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Logical
Rational and valid; internally consistent; reasonable; reasoning in accordance with the principles/rules of logic or formal argument; characterised by or capable of clear, sound reasoning; (of an action, decision etc.) expected or sensible under the circumstances
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Logically
According to the rules of logic or formal argument; in a way that shows clear, sound reasoning; in a way that is expected or sensible
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Low-fidelity Prototype
Used throughout the problem-solving process to quickly and simply move ideas and concepts from abstract to reality to clarify understanding and inform further exploration and development; a simple, non-functional three-dimensional, digital interactive or digital sequential representation using basic processes, materials or software that may be unrelated to how a final solution is produced, e.g. stop-motion animation of a mobile application rather than a coded solution or clay models of a handheld item to confirm the application of ergonomic data about a user's grip; algorithms to represent coding and sketches to represent user interface
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M
Make Decisions
Select from available options; weigh up positives and negatives of each option and consider all the alternatives to arrive at a position
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Manipulate
Adapt or change to suit one's purpose
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Mental Procedures
A domain of knowledge in Marzano
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Methodical
Performed, disposed or acting in a systematic way; orderly; characterised by method or order; performed or carried out systematically
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Methodology
A system of methods used in a particular area of study or activity
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Mind Map
A purposeful diagram used to visually organise information; allows the abstract relationships between ideas to be explored and refined; visual representations may include images, words and parts of words; usually a central idea or concept is placed in the middle and associated ideas arranged around it
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Minimal
Least possible; small; the least amount; negligible
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Mobile Applications
Types of software applications that use hardware functionality and run on a mobile device, such as a smartphone or tablet computer; often provide users with similar services to those accessed on desktop computers
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Models
Physical or digital representations of an idea or design concept that describe, simplify, clarify or provide an explanation of an idea or design concept
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Modify
Change the form or qualities of; make partial or minor changes to something
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Modularisation
A concept used for reducing the complexity of a system; this system (e.g. IT application) is deconstructed into more or less independent units or modules; the modules should be able to exist independently from each other, but the system as a whole can only function as an integrated structure
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Motion Graphics
Sequential representations of images and sound; video; animation; digital multimedia presentation
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Multimodal
Uses a combination of at least two modes (e.g. spoken, written), delivered at the same time, to communicate ideas and information to a live or virtual audience for a particular purpose; the selected modes are integrated so that each mode contributes significantly to the response
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N
Narrow
Limited in range or scope; lacking breadth of view; limited in amount; barely sufficient or adequate; restricted
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Normalisation
The process of ensuring that a database conforms to a set of normal forms. Its primary purpose is to remove redundancies that create threats to data integrity such as update anomalies. It also plays a role in making querying more efficient. (VCAA, 2014)
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Nuanced
Showing a subtle difference or distinction in expression, meaning, response etc.; finely differentiated; characterised by subtle shades of meaning or expression; a subtle distinction, variation or quality; sensibility to, awareness of or ability to express delicate shadings, as of meaning, feeling or value
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O
Objectives
See
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Obvious
Clearly perceptible or evident; easily seen, recognised or understood
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Open-ended problems
Loosely structured and complex, having no one correct solution or solution path, and requiring students to comprehend and apply a breadth and depth of knowledge during problem-solving
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Optimal
Best; most favourable under a particular set of circumstances
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Organise
Arrange; order; form as or into a whole consisting of interdependent or coordinated parts, especially for harmonious or united action
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Organised
Systematically ordered and arranged; having a formal organisational structure to arrange, coordinate and carry out activities
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Output
A result of something (physical or virtual) such as power, energy, action, material or information produced by a person, machine or a system
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Outstanding
Exceptionally good; clearly noticeable; prominent; conspicuous; striking
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P
Partial
Not total or general; existing only in part; attempted, but incomplete
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Particular
Distinguished or different from others or from the ordinary; noteworthy
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Pedagogy
The discipline that deals with the theory and practice of education; it thus concerns the study of how best to teach
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Perceptive
Having or showing insight and the ability to perceive or understand; discerning (see also
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Performance
An assessment technique that requires students to demonstrate a range of cognitive, technical, creative and/or expressive skills and to apply theoretical and conceptual understandings through the psychomotor domain; it involves student application of identified skills when responding to a task that involves solving a problem, providing a solution or conveying meaning or intent; a performance is developed over an extended and defined period of time
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Peripheral Devices
Digital components that can be connected to a digital system but are not essential to the system, e.g. printer, scanner, digital camera
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Persuasive
Capable of changing someone's ideas, opinions or beliefs; appearing worthy of approval or acceptance; (of an argument or statement) communicating reasonably or credibly (see also
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Perusal Time
Time allocated in an assessment to reading items and tasks and associated assessment materials; no writing is allowed; students may not make notes and may not commence responding to the assessment in the response space/book
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Planning Time
Time allocated in an assessment to planning how to respond to items and tasks and associated assessment materials; students may make notes but may not commence responding to the assessment in the response space/book; notes made during planning are not collected, nor are they graded or used as evidence of achievement
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Platforms
Computer operating systems
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Polished
Flawless or excellent; performed with skilful ease
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Precise
Definite or exact; definitely or strictly stated, defined or fixed; characterised by definite or exact expression or execution
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Precision
Accuracy; exactness; exact observance of forms in conduct or actions
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Predict
Give an expected result of an upcoming action or event; suggest what may happen based on available information
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Principles
Specific types of generalisations that deal with relationships; a proposition that serves as the foundation for a system of belief or behaviour or for a chain of reasoning
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Problem-Based Learning
An active, constructivist process that incorporates the use of open-ended problems as a stimulus for student learning
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Problem-Solving Process
Consists of subject specific problem-solving processes (explore, develop, generate and evaluate) used to iteratively find solutions to difficult or complex problems or situations
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Problems
Situations raised for consideration or solution
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Procedural text-based language
A type of computer programming language that specifies a series of well-structured steps and procedures within its programming context to compose a program; it contains a systematic order of statements, functions and commands to complete a computational task or program; text-based refers to languages whose primary input and output are based on text rather than graphics or sound; this excludes GUI and non-procedural languages
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Procedure
An established or official way of doing something
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Processes
A series of actions or steps taken in order to achieve a particular result
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Product
An assessment technique that focuses on the output or result of a process requiring the application of a range of cognitive, physical, technical, creative and/or expressive skills, and theoretical and conceptual understandings; a product is developed over an extended and defined period of time; in Technologies, a designed solution; a tangible end result of a human, construction, mechanical, manufacturing or digital process; created by practical application of knowledge and skills
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Productivity applications
Simple programs that run on a standard desktop computing platform to increase the productivity of the user
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Proficient
Well advanced or expert in any art, science or subject; competent, skilled or adept in doing or using something
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Programming
The process of writing computer programs; creating the logic and making decisions to resolve problems (Oxford University Press 2017)
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Programming tools
Software programs or scripts used to assist a programmer to create, debug, maintain, develop or model software; this includes coded and graphical user interface components
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Project
An assessment technique that focuses on a problem-solving process requiring the application of a range of cognitive, technical and creative skills and theoretical understandings; the response is a coherent work that documents the iterative process undertaken to develop a solution and includes written paragraphs and annotations, diagrams, sketches, drawings, photographs, video, spoken presentations, physical prototypes and/or models; a project is developed over an extended and defined period of time
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Propose
Put forward (e.g. a point of view, idea, argument, suggestion) for consideration or action
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Protocols
A set of generally accepted standards or
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Prototype
A trial solution to test an idea to inform further development; demonstrates the interaction of the components of a product, service or environment; its purpose is to identify if and how well a solution functions and can be tested by stakeholders
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Prove
Use a sequence of steps to obtain the required result in a formal way
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Pseudocode
A type of descriptive algorithm that is a mixture of everyday language and programming languages (see Section 1.2.5)
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Psychomotor Procedures
A domain of knowledge in Marzano
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Purpose
The reason for which something is done or created or for which something exists
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Purposeful
Having an intended or desired result; having a useful purpose; determined; resolute; full of meaning; significant; intentional
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Q
QCE
Queensland Certificate of Education
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R
REST
The underlying architectural principle of the web, where requesting systems (clients, browsers) and servers can interact in complex ways without the client knowing anything beforehand about the server and the resources it hosts using a uniform and predefined set of stateless operations; this is a way of providing interoperability between computer systems on the internet; an API that adheres to the principles of REST does not require the client to know anything about the structure of the API; the server provides whatever information the client needs to interact with the service
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Realise
Create or make (e.g. a musical, artistic or dramatic work); actualise; make real or concrete; give reality or substance to
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Reasonable
Endowed with reason; having sound judgment; fair and sensible; based on good sense; average; appropriate; moderate
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Reasoned
Logical and sound; based on logic or good sense; logically thought out and presented with justification; guided by reason; well-grounded; considered
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Recall
Remember; present remembered ideas, facts or experiences; bring something back into thought, attention, or one
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Recognise
Identify or recall particular features of information from knowledge; identify that an item, characteristic or quality exists; perceive as existing or true; be aware of or acknowledge
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Recommendation
A suggestion or proposal as to the best course of action
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Refine
To make partial or minor changes to something in order to improve it; modify in relation to selected criteria
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Refined
Developed or improved so as to be precise, exact or subtle
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Reflect on
Think about deeply and carefully
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Rehearsed
Practiced; previously experienced; practised extensively
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Related
Associated with or linked to
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Relational Schema
The definition of a table, that is, the table's name, column headings and type of data in each column
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Relevance
Being related to the matter at hand
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Relevant
Bearing upon or connected with the matter at hand; to the purpose; applicable and pertinent; having a direct bearing on
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Reliable
Constant and dependable or consistent and repeatable
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Repetitive
Containing or characterised by repetition, especially when unnecessary or tiresome
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Reporting
Providing information that succinctly describes student performance at different junctures throughout a course of study
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Requirements
Necessary conditions identified from stakeholders
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Resolve
Consolidate and communicate intent through a synthesis of ideas and application of media to express meaning
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Robotics
A branch of engineering that involves the conception, design, manufacture and operation of robots; this field overlaps with electronics, computer science, artificial intelligence, mechatronics, nanotechnology and bioengineering
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Routine
Often encountered; previously experienced; commonplace; customary and regular; well-practised; performed as part of a regular procedure, rather than for a special reason
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Rudimentary
Relating to rudiments or first principles; elementary; undeveloped; involving or limited to basic principles; relating to an immature, undeveloped or basic form
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Rules
A set of explicit or understood regulations or principles governing conduct or procedure; an accepted principle or instruction that states the way things are or should be done, and tells you what you are allowed or are not allowed to do
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S
SELECT
A statement in structured query language (SQL) that retrieves information from a database; the structure of a SELECT statement provides for optional clauses that allow for the filtering, grouping and sorting of data on retrieval; a simple SELECT statement may look like the following: \> SELECT * FROM People; where the resulting set would be all of the records in the People table; following is an example of a more complicated SELECT statement: \> SELECT * FROM People WHERE gender=
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Safe
Secure; not risky
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Scenario
A consistent written or verbal picture of a phenomenon or sequence
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Schemas
Describe the cognition used during aspects of problem-solving that organise information; representations that record and clarify thinking, e.g. mind maps
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School-based assessment
Assessment developed, administered and marked by teachers as part of the school curriculum; (see also
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Secure
Sure; certain; able to be counted on; self-confident; poised; dependable; confident; assured; not liable to fail
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Select
Choose in preference to another or others; pick out
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Selection
A basic construct of an algorithm indicating the next instruction to be executed depends on a
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Sensitive
Capable of perceiving with a sense or senses; aware of the attitudes, feelings or circumstances of others; having acute mental or emotional sensibility; relating to or connected with the senses or sensation
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Sequence
Place in a continuous or connected series; arrange in a particular order
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Show
Provide the relevant reasoning to support a response
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Significant
Important; of consequence; expressing a meaning; indicative; includes all that is important; sufficiently great or important to be worthy of attention; noteworthy; having a particular meaning; indicative of something
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Simple
Easy to understand, deal with and use; not complex or complicated; plain; not elaborate or artificial; may concern a single or basic aspect; involving few elements, components or steps
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Simplistic
Characterised by extreme simplification, especially if misleading; oversimplified
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Simulation
A representation of a process, event or system that imitates a real or idealised situation
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Situation
The general state of things; the combination of circumstances at a given time
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Sketches
Drawings or paintings in simple form, giving essential features but not necessarily with detail or accuracy; in Mathematics, represent by means of a diagram or graph; the sketch should give a general idea of the required shape or relationship and should include features; in Technologies, a two-dimensional informal visualisation method completed freehand, often instantly capturing an idea for later use and therefore lacking in presentation quality; sketches are usually produced manually, using pencil, ink and paper, but may be software-assisted
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Skilled
Having or showing the knowledge, ability or training to perform a certain activity or task well; having skill; trained or experienced; showing, involving or requiring skill
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Skillful
Having technical facility or practical ability; possessing, showing, involving or requiring skill; expert; dexterous; demonstrating the knowledge, ability or training to perform a certain activity or task well; trained, practised or experienced
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Solution (digital)
The end result of applying a problem-solving process to a problem that can be solved digitally; it usually includes three components: data, system/user interface and text-based source code that may be interpreted or compiled; in a digital solution the interface triggers the execution of code
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Solve
Find an answer to, explanation for, or means of dealing with (e.g. a problem); work out the answer or solution to (e.g. a mathematical problem); obtain the answer/s using algebraic, numerical and/or graphical methods
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Sophisticated
Of intellectual complexity; reflecting a high degree of skill, intelligence etc.; employing advanced or refined methods or concepts; highly developed or complicated
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Specific
Clearly defined or identified; precise and clear in making statements or issuing instructions; having a special application or reference; explicit or definite; peculiar or proper to something, as qualities, characteristics, effects etc.
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Specification
The process of defining and communicating a problem precisely and clearly; e.g. explaining the need to direct a robot to move in a particular way; an algorithm is a precise description of the steps and decisions needed to solve a problem
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Sporadic
Happening now and again or at intervals; irregular or occasional; appearing in scattered or isolated instances
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Straightforward
Without difficulty; uncomplicated; direct; easy to do or understand
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Structure
Verb: Give a pattern, organisation or arrangement to; construct or arrange according to a plan; noun: In languages, arrangement of words into larger units, e.g. phrases, clauses, sentences, paragraphs and whole texts, in line with cultural, intercultural and textual conventions
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Structured
An ordered assembly of elements, components and features that form an organised pattern or system
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Structured Data
Information with a high degree of organisation, thus allowing seamless inclusion in a relational database and is readily searchable by simple, straightforward search engine algorithms or other search operations
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Structured query language (SQL)
Specialist programming language used to manage data and access data in relational database management systems
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Subject
A branch or area of knowledge or learning defined by a syllabus; school subjects are usually based in a discipline or field of study (see also 'course')
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Subject Matter
The subject-specific body of information, mental procedures and psychomotor procedures that are necessary for students' learning and engagement within that subject
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Substantial
Of ample or considerable amount, quantity, size etc.; of real worth or value; firmly or solidly established; of real significance; reliable; important; worthwhile
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Substantiated
Established by proof or competent evidence
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Subtle
Fine or delicate in meaning or intent; making use of indirect methods; not straightforward or obvious
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Successful
Achieving or having achieved success; accomplishing a desired aim or result
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Succinct
Expressed in few words; concise; terse; characterised by conciseness or brevity; brief and clear
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Sufficient
Enough or adequate for the purpose
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Suitable
Appropriate; fitting; conforming or agreeing in nature, condition or action
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Summarise
Give a brief statement of a general theme or major point/s; present ideas and information in fewer words and in sequence
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Summative Assessment
Assessment whose major purpose is to indicate student achievement; summative assessments contribute towards a student's subject result
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Superficial
Concerned with or comprehending only what is on the surface or obvious; shallow; not profound, thorough, deep or complete; existing or occurring at or on the surface; cursory; lacking depth of character or understanding; apparent and sometimes trivial
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Supported
Corroborated; given greater credibility by providing evidence
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Sustainable
Supporting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to support their needs
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Sustained
Carried on continuously, without interruption, or without any diminishing of intensity or extent
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Syllabus
A document that prescribes the curriculum for a course of study
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Syllabus Objectives
Outline what the school is required to teach and what students have the opportunity to learn; described in terms of actions that operate on the subject matter; the overarching objectives for a course of study (see also 'unit objectives', 'assessment objectives')
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Symbolise
Represent or identify by a symbol or symbols
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Syntax
The structure of statements in a computer language
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Synthesise
Combine different parts or elements (e.g. information, ideas, components) into a whole, in order to create new understanding
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Systematic
Done or acting according to a fixed plan or system; methodical; organised and logical; having, showing or involving a system, method or plan; characterised by system or method; methodical; arranged in or comprising an ordered system
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Systems Thinking
A holistic approach to the identification and solving of problems, where parts and components of a system, their interactions and interrelationships are analysed individually to see how they influence the functioning of the whole system; this approach enables students to understand systems and work with complexity, uncertainty and risk; systems thinking also involves understanding the interdependence between systems and how a change or output from one system can affect another, and how this affects larger systems such as the economy and society
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T
Technical Feasibility
The process of proving that the concept is technically possible; the aim of a technical feasibility study is to confirm that the prototype or solution will perform as intended and to verify that there are no barriers in generating these; it should communicate the technical aspects of the development process, e.g. algorithms, selection and justification of development tools, sketches and diagrams of the user interface, user experience and other requirements for development
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Technologies
Materials, data, systems, components, tools and equipment used to create solutions for identified needs and opportunities, and the knowledge, understanding and skills used by people involved in the selection and use of these
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Technology
The development of products, services and environments, using various types of knowledge, including computational, design, systems, social, ethical, economic, environmental, legal and sustainability knowledge to meet human needs and wants;
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Test
Take measures to check the quality, performance or reliability of something
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Theory
A set of concepts, claims and/or laws that can be used to explain and predict a wide range of related observed or observable phenomena; theories are typically founded on clearly identified assumptions, are testable, produce reproducible results and have explanatory power
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Thorough
Carried out through, or applied to, the whole of something; carried out completely and carefully; including all that is required; complete with attention to every detail; not superficial or partial; performed or written with care and completeness; taking pains to do something carefully and completely
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Thoughtful
Occupied with, or given to, thought; contemplative; meditative; reflective; characterised by or manifesting thought
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Topic
A division of, or sub-section within, a unit; all topics/sub-topics within a unit are interrelated
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U
Unclear
Not clear or distinct; not easy to understand; obscure
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Understand
Perceive what is meant by something; grasp; be familiar with (e.g. an idea); construct meaning from messages, including oral, written and graphic communication
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Uneven
Unequal; not properly corresponding or agreeing; irregular; varying; not uniform; not equally balanced
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Unfamiliar
Not previously encountered; situations or materials that have not been the focus of prior learning experiences or activities
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Unit
A defined amount of subject matter delivered in a specific context or with a particular focus; it includes unit objectives particular to the unit, subject matter and assessment direction
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Unit Objectives
Drawn from the syllabus objectives and contextualised for the subject matter and requirements of a particular unit; they are assessed at least once in the unit (see also
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Unrelated
Having no relationship; unconnected
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Usability Principles
Principles used to improve the user experience, including accessibility: ability to be used by many different people, even people with disabilities; effectiveness: ability of users to use the system to do the work they need to do, includes reliability; safety: ability for users to make errors and recover from the mistake safely; utility: ability of the system to provide all the functionality that users need; learnability: how easy a system is to learn
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Use
Operate or put into effect; apply knowledge or rules to put theory into practice
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Useability
Able or fit to be used; judged by the useability principles of efficiency effectiveness, safety, utility and learnability
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User Experience
Those aspects that affect how an end user interacts with digital systems such as visual, interface and navigation design, user needs, and functional and content requirements; this is determined by improving the solution's useability based on the useability principles of accessibility, effectiveness, safety, utility and learnability (VCAA, 2014)
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User Interface
Characteristics of the boundary between users and a computer system, or the manner in which users interact with computer hardware or software; in software, this usually comprises fields for text and number entry, mouse pointers, buttons and other graphical elements; in hardware, sensors, switches, dials and light-emitting diodes (LEDs) provide information about the interactions between a user and a machine, a machine and another machine or a machine and the environment
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V
Vague
Not definite in statement or meaning; not explicit or precise; not definitely fixed, determined or known; of uncertain, indefinite or unclear character or meaning; not clear in thought or understanding; couched in general or indefinite terms; not definitely or precisely expressed; deficient in details or particulars; thinking or communicating in an unfocused or imprecise way
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Valid
Sound, just or well-founded; authoritative; having a sound basis in logic or fact (of an argument or point); reasonable or cogent; able to be supported; legitimate and defensible; applicable
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Validity
Sound, reasonable, relevant, defensible, well grounded, able to be supported with logic or theory
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Variable
Adjective: apt or liable to vary or change; changeable; inconsistent; (readily) susceptible or capable of variation; fluctuating; uncertain; noun: in mathematics, a symbol, or the quantity it signifies, that may represent any one of a given set of numbers and other objects
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Variety
A number or range of things of different kinds, or the same general class, that are distinct in character or quality; (of sources) a number of different modes or references
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Virtual
Representation of an object in a digital form
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W
Wearable Technologies
Electronic devices able to be worn on the body as a purposeful fashion accessory or part of material used in clothing. A major feature of these devices is their ability to connect to the internet, allowing data to be exchanged between the device and a network
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Web Applications
Client–server software applications in which the client–user interface runs in a web browser, e.g., webmail, online retail sales etc.
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Wide
Of great range or scope; embracing a great number or variety of subjects, cases etc.; of full extent
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With Expression
In words, art, music or movement, conveying or indicating feeling, spirit, character etc.; a way of expressing or representing something; vivid, effective or persuasive communication
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