Digital information (INFO)

• Learning using digital systems and tools
• Becoming digitally literate
• Progression
• Key concepts
• Possible achievement/learning objectives

Learning using digital systems and tools

Digital Information focuses on the knowledge, skills, and competencies that people need to locate, evaluate, and present digital information efficiently, effectively, and ethically. Students learn to use current and emerging technologies to become confident users of digital systems and tools.

Students may be creating e-portfolios; developing and managing a database; managing an online community; designing, developing, and maintaining information systems; using online data management tools; using cloud technology to make a scalable information system; sharing information on local area networks; using social networking sites; communicating by email; setting up mailing lists; and working on collaborative documents.

The study of digital information gives students knowledge and skills that are valued in the work force and useful in everyday life. It provides a platform for further study in information systems.

Becoming digitally literate

The skills for 'digital citizenship' include digital literacy – the ability to produce and communicate information using digital technologies. This means, for example, being able to:

• present information that is appealing, accessible, clean, crisp, and appropriate
• function as responsible citizens, both nationally and globally
• communicate effectively in a variety of forums
• gather, process, and critically evaluate information in a range of contexts
• interpret data and make predictions (such as from a spreadsheet model)
• enter data in an efficient, accurate, and appropriate manner
• collect and present information using ethical conventions
• create reliable information handling systems
• select appropriate tools to manage and present information
• understand and apply secure and reliable file management techniques including virus checking, security procedures and backing up.

Progression

As they progress students rely less on guidance and acquire the knowledge, skills, and confidence to work more independently.

• At level 6, students learn the principles of software selection and use the appropriate digital information tools to enter, manage, combine, and present data.
• At level 7, students handle more complex data and systems to interpret, analyse, integrate, and manage information.
• At level 8, students analyse, construct, and develop integrated systems. This involves the design, creation, and evaluation of information management systems and of tools for specific organisational use.

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Key concepts

Key concepts are the ideas and understandings that the teacher hopes will remain with students long after they have left school.

The key concepts in digital information are:

• Information literacy
  • The ability to access information efficiently and effectively.
  • The ability to evaluate information critically and competently.
  • The ability to use information accurately and creatively.
  • Sensitivity to the many ethical issues that can arise with information systems, including privacy and intellectual property.
  • A global awareness of developments in digital technologies.

• Design
  • The ability to apply design elements such as colour, line, shape, texture, clarity, scale, contrast, space, and proximity to enhance an outcome.
  • The ability to follow codes of practice for collecting, storing, processing, and communicating information.

• Functionality
  • Following data integrity procedures to check for relevance, accuracy, and reliability of information.
  • Undertaking techniques and procedures in a manner that economises the use of resources.
  • Understanding fundamental concepts and specific features of digital information tools in processing information.
  • Accessing and using complex data to design and construct appropriate systems and products when managing information.
  • Analysing, combining and organising data into appropriate formats.

Possible achievement/learning objectives

These objectives are indicative only. You might also choose other technology learning objectives.

Level 6 objectives

Select from the following achievement and learning objectives for indicators, context elaborations, and assessment for qualifications guidance information.

• INFO 6-1: Knowledge of basic concepts in digital information
• INFO 6-2: Implement basic procedures in digital information
• TECH 6-1: Planning for practice
• TECH 6-2: Brief development
• TECH 6-3: Outcome development and evaluation
• TECH 6-4: Technological modelling
• TECH 6-5: Technological products
• TECH 6-6: Technological systems
• TECH 6-7: Characteristics of technology
• TECH 6-8: Characteristics of technological outcomes

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Last updated February 21, 2011

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