Syllabus
Explore the QCAA Digital Solutions Syllabus to search for specific topics and find relevant questions and insights seamlessly
No results found
Unit 1: Creating with code
Topic 1: Understanding digital problems
Unit 1: Creating with code > Topic 1: Understanding digital problems
- Understand the constituents of a digital problem methods of breaking down problems into parts using computational thinking and thinking tools, e.g. mind maps
- Understand and describe personal, social and economic impacts
- Analyse problems to identify the human need, want or opportunity that requires a new or re-imagined digital solution essential elements, components and features of problems in Digital Solutions where and how digital technologies are used to solve problems to meet personal, societal and organisational needs, e.g. through search engines, robotics, mobile phone applications, automobile control systems, wearable devices, and the use of smart objects in the Internet of Things.
- Explore existing solutions to similar problems, e.g. existing games or websites.
Topic 2: User experiences and interfaces
Unit 1: Creating with code > Topic 2: User experiences and interfaces
- Analyse a given problem to identify the boundary or scope of the problem constraints and limitations of the environment the requirements of the solution the user perspective and user-experience requirements technical issues of the problem that influence the user-interface requirements missing, required or unnecessary facts or information prescribed and self-determined criteria to evaluate the personal, social and economic impacts of the solution
- Appraise information and ideas
- Communicate using digital technologies–specific language language conventions, textual features, such as annotations, paragraphs and sentences, and referencing conventions to convey information to particular audiences about digital solutions sketches or diagrams to present information and ideas about the problem and programmed digital solutions the modes of visual, written and spoken communication to present data and information about digital solutions
Topic 3: Algorithms and programming techniques
Unit 1: Creating with code > Topic 3: Algorithms and programming techniques
- Recognise and describe programming syntax and rules
- Understand that simple algorithms consist of input, process and output at various stages
- Understand and use the basic algorithm constructs including assignment: used to store the value of an expression into a variable sequence: a number of instructions processed one after the other selection: the next instruction to be executed depends on a ‘condition’ condition: a logical expression that evaluates to true or false iteration: a number of instructions are repeated modularisation: used for reducing the complexity of a system by deconstructing into more or less independent units or modules
- Represent algorithms using pseudocode, by identifying and describing the steps and their behaviour in the algorithm identifying and explaining the algorithmic steps required for a programmed solution
- Symbolise algorithms and interrelationships with sketches and diagrams
- Understand the five basic features of programming variables control structures data structures syntax libraries and classes
- Recognises, describe and use good programming practices, including dependability, efficiency, testing, debugging, error correction, coding conventions including commenting, consistent naming conventions, code simplicity and portability
- Identify and describe the purpose of code syntax and rules the scope and use of local and global variables code object/event triggers and their effect on user interfaces
- Explore programming development tools to understand how to use them effectively the use of a procedural text-based language for writing and modifying code and using existing code blocks or statements interpreting programming language rules and syntax analysing and critiquing the end result of code statements using input or output evidence, i.e. runtime evidence
- Functions and procedures with efficient and maintainable code that includes reusable coded components responds to keyboard and mouse events uses variables, selection structures, counted loops, while loops and single, multi-branch and nested conditional logic/statements uses operators, including arithmetic (+, −, *, /, integer, modulus, exponent), comparison (<, >, <=, >=, equal, not equal) and logical (AND, OR, NOT) the purpose of code statements by writing code and using existing code blocks or statements object/event triggers and develop explanations about their effect/s on user interfaces
- Communicate and clarify knowledge and understanding about the purpose of code statements using code comments
Topic 4: Programmed solutions
Unit 1: Creating with code > Topic 4: Programmed solutions
- Apply the use of operators, including arithmetic: +, −, /, integer, modulus, exponent comparison: <, >, <=, >=, equal, not equal logical: AND, OR, NOT
- Output information to the screen in text-based or visual formats
- Generate components of a solution by using existing code or writing new code statements modified code in response to new or existing information functions/procedures with efficient and maintainable code that includes reuseable code blocks or statements and responses to keyboard and mouse events selection structures, counted loops, while loops, and single, multi-branch and nested conditional logic statements local and global variables a prototype digital solution in response to a problem
- Test inputs, outputs and processes evaluate and make recommendations about • the use of programming language rules and syntax for a given problem algorithmic steps using debugging processes, e.g. desk checks the effectiveness of algorithms the end result of code statements using input or output evidence the user interface based on useability principles including accessibility, effectiveness, safety, utility and learnability the solution and its components by testing to identify errors using computational thinking processes, e.g. debugging techniques the personal, social and economic impacts of the solution the implemented solution against prescribed criteria, maintainability and useability principles.
Unit 2: Application and data solutions
Topic 1: Data-driven problems and solution requirements
Unit 2: Application and data solutions > Topic 1: Data-driven problems and solution requirements
- Understand the nature of data-driven problems
- Analyse problems associated with data insertion, including variations in data formats, data structures, validation rules and data requirements
- Determine manageable aspects of a problem through decomposition, pattern recognition and analysis of user requirements programming options including
- Interactivity, e.g. user input and presentation of data
- Data models, and storage and output requirements
- Recognise data types, constraints, and primary and foreign keys
- Recognise and describe useability principles including accessibility, effectiveness, safety, utility and learnability
- Symbolise the links between external entities, data sources, data flow, processes and data storage in
- Annotated context diagrams or data flow diagrams algorithmic steps as pseudocode
- Explore and communicate the personal, social and economic impacts of storing data in a database for individuals, organisations and governments
- Explore and use the elements and principles of visual communication elements are limited to space, line, colour, shape, texture, tone, form, proportion and scale principles are limited to balance, contrast, proximity, harmony, alignment, repetition and hierarchy
- Communicate using digital technologies–specific language language conventions, textual features such as annotations, paragraphs and sentences, and referencing conventions to convey information to particular audiences about digital solutions sketches or diagrams to present information and ideas about the problem and programmed digital solutions the modes of visual, written and spoken communication to present data and information about digital solutions
Topic 2: Data and programming techniques
Unit 2: Application and data solutions > Topic 2: Data and programming techniques
- Recognise the elements needed for a data-driven solution, including boundary or scope constraints and limitations of environments programming requirements, e.g. SQL and algorithms system requirements, e.g. platforms, connections, hardware and data stores the data that is required from real-world data sources, e.g. files, peripheral devices, online sources and users
- Understand the difference between data, information and wisdom that data-driven programming is typically applied to streams of structured data for filtering, transforming, aggregating (such as computing statistics), or calling other programs SQL syntax and use SQL statements to solve a problem that simple algorithms consist of input, process and output at various stages that data is organised in tabular form and the skills and knowledge used to normalise and link tables together the reasons and methods of database structure modification to third normal form (3NF)
- Interpret the structure of a database represented by a relational schema (RS) to determine the relationship between data
- Explain data principles including acquisition organisation, i.e. using appropriate naming conventions, data formats and structures representation integrity anomalies redundancy security
- Explain the difference between data validation and data verification referential integrity, normalisation and third normal form, relational database management system the difference between primary key and foreign key relations (tables) including rows; columns; primary, secondary and foreign keys; nulls; and views within a database management system
- Symbolise ideas for user interface and interconnecting systems using sketches, diagrams or mock-ups data flow through a system using data flow diagrams
- Analyse and structure data and data stores to reduce redundancy and ensure completeness, consistency and integrity for use and storage
- Apply data management processes, e.g. encryption, consistency, searching, pattern recognition and de-identification
- Understand and use the basic constructs of an algorithm including assignment, sequence, selection, condition, iteration and modularisation
- Symbolise well-ordered and unambiguous algorithms using pseudocode for procedural code that processes data for insertion into a database or manipulates or displays retrieved data user interaction, data validation and data presentation
- Communicate and clarify knowledge and understanding about the purpose of code statements using code comments.
Topic 3: Prototype data solutions
Unit 2: Application and data solutions > Topic 3: Prototype data solutions
- Identify the prescribed and self-determined criteria to plan the user interface and programmed components of proposed solutions
- Determine appropriate data types, constraints, and primary and foreign keys
- Evaluate and modify a database structure to third normal form (3NF)
- Generate a prototype digital solution to access, manipulate and display data in a website, mobile application or interactive media that enables data to be inserted, updated, retrieved and deleted from single and multiple tables validates the data to be entered for reliability to ensure that the data is valid for use and storage includes user interfaces that will enable the insertion, updating and selection of data from/to a database
- Create procedural code to control user interaction, data validation, execution of SQL queries, manipulation and display of query results through the user interface
- Test the SQL, algorithm and procedural code components of the prototype digital solution for reliability, maintainability and efficiency
- Test the user interfaces against useability principles
- Evaluate data quality using the prescribed criteria of accuracy and completeness the prototype digital solution against prescribed and self-determined criteria.
Unit 3: Digital innovation
Topic 1: Interactions between users, data and digital systems
Unit 3: Digital innovation > Topic 1: Interactions between users, data and digital systems
- Explore and analyse the meaning and importance of innovation and the personal, business and social opportunities presented by innovation
- Recognise and describe components of a digital solution appropriate to the technology context selected
- Analyse a problem to identify and explain the elements of a system observable interactions inputs and outputs control mechanism processes and interactions using logical diagrams and consistent symbols
- Symbolise and explain useability principles, including accessibility, effectiveness, safety, utility and learnability a variety of interfaces data flow through a system using data flow diagrams
- Symbolise, explain and use advanced data processes, including table joins, referential integrity, redundancy reduction and anomaly updating
- Explore flexible development methods to support a variety of user profiles methods of synthesising user interface, processing and data components to generate a prototype digital solution
- Explore and use the elements and principles of visual communication elements are limited to space, line, colour, shape, texture, tone, form, proportion and scale principles are limited to balance, contrast, proximity, harmony, alignment, repetition and hierarchy
- Determine possible personal, social and economic impacts
- Appraise user interfaces against useability principles
Topic 2: Real-world problems and solution requirements
Unit 3: Digital innovation > Topic 2: Real-world problems and solution requirements
- Explore programming development tools to understand how to use them effectively
- Analyse problems and information to determine manageable aspects of the problem a specific aspect of the problem to develop boundary or scope of the problem constraints and limitations of the environment requirements of the solution prescribed and self-determined criteria and describe interactions in terms of inputs, processes and outputs and explore data sources to understand relational and flat file data structures
- Generate ideas using innovation and collaboration
- Recognise and compare different file formats and data structures appropriate to the context
- Determine file formats and data structures appropriate to the technology context
- Analyse modularity and readability of program modules
- Recognise and use the basic constructs of an algorithm including assignment, sequence, selection, condition, iteration and modularisation appropriate pseudocode conventions
- Understand that simple algorithms consist of input, process and output
- Symbolise well-ordered and unambiguous algorithms using pseudocode for procedural code that processes data for insertion into a database or manipulates or displays retrieved data user interaction, data validation and data presentation
- Explain code steps using comment syntax appropriate to the programming language
- Apply computational thinking processes, e.g. creating, debugging, persevering and collaborating to identify possible algorithmic approaches data algorithms for cleaning and merging data sources and iterating through data records
- Generate generic pseudocode suitable for a variety of programming languages to communicate requirements for programmed components
- Observe different styles of presenting a technical proposal for a digital solution
- Communicate a technical proposal for a digital solution through a presentation
- Communicate using digital technologies–specific language language conventions, textual features such as annotations, paragraphs and sentences, and referencing conventions to convey information to particular audiences about digital solutions sketches or diagrams to present information and ideas about the problem and programmed digital solutions the modes of visual, written and spoken communication to present data and information about digital solutions.
Topic 3: Innovative digital solutions
Unit 3: Digital innovation > Topic 3: Innovative digital solutions
- Refine ideas for components of a prototype digital solution
- Demonstrate a prototype of a digital solution
- Generate a conceptual model of a possible solution by applying systems thinking that identifies system boundaries properties inputs and outputs user interface system controls
- Generate low-fidelity user-interface prototypes appropriate to the digital context by using the elements and principles of visual communication such as sketches, mood boards, storyboards, sitemaps, wireframes and mock-ups algorithms as simple programs by using programming development tools pseudocode to solve defined problems code that creates, reads, writes, opens and closes a file
- Generate data structures using SQL statements to INSERT, UPDATE and DELETE rows in a database SQL CREATE, DROP and ALTER statements SQL SELECT query, including WHERE, GROUP BY, HAVING, ORDER BY, sub-selection and inner-joins clauses
- Generate program modules that interact with users interact with 2D data sources validate data inputs control the interactions in a digital solution
- Communicate and clarify knowledge and understanding about the purpose of code statements using code comments
- Synthesise user interface, processing and data components to generate a prototype digital solution
- Appraise the suitability of prescribed and self-determined criteria the reliability, maintainability, sustainability, efficiency, effectiveness and usability of algorithms to draw conclusions and make recommendations
- Appraise and refine user interfaces by testing the usability principles, including accessibility, effectiveness, safety, utility and learnability observing and recording user interactions from user experience critiques
- Justify selection of relevant data from existing data sources
- Evaluate user interfaces from existing solutions using heuristic reviews for the usability principles by testing program modules for reliability, maintainability and efficiency using computational thinking processes such as debugging to refine a prototype digital solution
- Evaluate against prescribed and self-determined criteria the user interface and programmed solutions prototype digital solution.
Unit 4: Digital impacts
view_agenda query_statsTopic 1: Digital methods for exchanging data
view_agenda query_statsUnit 4: Digital impacts > Topic 1: Digital methods for exchanging data
- Recognise and describe encryption and authentication strategies appropriate for securing data transmissions and their differences features of symmetric (Data Encryption Standard — DES, Triple DES, AES — Advanced Encryption Standard, Blowfish and Twofish) and asymmetric (RSA) encryption algorithms how data compression, encryption and hashing are used in the storage and transfer of data how simple algorithms consist of input, process and output at various stages how usability principles are used to inform solution development how the elements and principles of visual communication inform user interface development
- Explain Australian Privacy Principles (2014) and ethics applicable to the use of personally identifiable or sensitive data from a digital systems perspective network transmission principles, including latency, jitter, guarantee and timeliness of delivery, and protocols relevant to the transmission of data over the internet, e.g. HTTP, HTTPS, FTP, VPN, streaming and broadcasting data packets methods for data exchange used to transfer data across networked systems including REST, JSON and XML
- Symbolise, analyse and evaluate Caesar, Polyalphabetic (e.g. Vigenere and Gronsfeld), and one-time pad encryption algorithms
- Describe data using appropriate naming conventions, data formats and structures
- Symbolise how application sub-systems, e.g. front end, back end, work together to constitute a solution
Topic 2: Complex digital data exchange problems and solution requirements
view_agenda query_statsUnit 4: Digital impacts > Topic 2: Complex digital data exchange problems and solution requirements
- Analyse problems and information to determine boundary of scope of given problems constraints and limitations of environments requirements of the solution components necessary coded modularity and features factors and risks that affect data security, including confidentiality, integrity and availability, and privacy existing code within inbuilt libraries prescribed and self-determined criteria to appraise the implementation, e.g. protection, security and interactions
- Analyse, evaluate and make refinements to data to ensure completeness, consistency and integrity
- Analyse and explain a system’s data process by developing data flow diagrams that link external entities, data sources, processes and data storage
- Determine manageable aspects of a problem through a decomposition and analysis of constraints risks available tools and code libraries data storage and output requirements data interface
- Determine data sources required to generate data components
- Symbolise algorithmic steps as pseudocode
- Explain the purpose of code and/or algorithm statements using code comments and annotations
- Communicate using digital technologies–specific language language conventions; textual features such as annotations, paragraphs and sentences; and referencing conventions to convey information to particular audiences about digital solutions sketches or diagrams to present information and ideas about the problem and programmed digital solutions the modes of visual, written and spoken communication to present data and information about digital solutions.
Topic 3: Prototype digital data exchanges
view_agenda query_statsUnit 4: Digital impacts > Topic 3: Prototype digital data exchanges
- Synthetise information and ideas to determine prototype components of data exchange solutions
- Use a suitable programming environment to implement algorithms using modularisation receive data from an external source, and process and display the data in an appropriate format incorporate existing code libraries (where applicable)
- Develop simple Caesar, Polyalphabetic (e.g. Vigenere and Gronsfeld), and one-time pad encryption algorithms
- Generate a well-ordered and unambiguous algorithm to solve defined problems using pseudocode a prototype digital solution that uses appropriate data structures including JSON or XML, to exchange data
- Manipulate data from an external source
- Generate data structures using SQL CREATE, DROP and ALTER statements SQL INSERT and UPDATE SQL SELECT query, including WHERE, GROUP BY, HAVING, ORDER BY, sub-selection and inner-joins clauses
- Generate within programmed methods sequence selection, i.e. use of single and nested, simple or compound conditions iterations, including nesting or simple or compound conditions use of code-specific arithmetic comparison and logical operators, including real division, integer division, modulus use of data types, error-checking functions and conversions use of structures, including one-dimensional collections, e.g. arrays and lists
- Evaluate by desk checking algorithms to predict the output for a given input, identify errors and validate algorithms
- Evaluate security impacts of data and its use, dissemination, storage, accuracy and ownership on personal, social and economic needs the solution against prescribed and self-determined criteria solutions by testing to refine their accuracy, reliability, maintainability, efficiency, effectiveness and useability and make justified recommendations related to the security impacts of digital solutions, taking into consideration changes in interactivity and ways information and data are created, used and shared.