Primary Catalogue

Using the analogy problem of washing dirty dishes, this video explores the IPO model and pseudocode as tools to guide computational thinking. Students of lower secondary digital technologies will understand how using pseudocode can be an accessible preliminary step in the design process before attempting to write a program in their chosen syntax. Show Less

Introducing the concepts of abstraction, decomposition, algorithm design and pattern recognition, this video gets inside the ‘mind’ of a computer to understand why computational thinking this is a crucial first step to designing a successful program. Students and teachers of lower secondary digital technologies will find this an approachable foundation to computational thinking. Show Less

Even the most experienced programmers use simple visual models and techniques to plan an effective algorithmic solution. In this video, students are introduced to the IPO model and flowcharts as two such methods to abstract unnecessary information in a problem, decompose it into smaller tasks, a recognise patterns and repetition, and program a series of simple steps for a computer to follow. Show Less

A person’s intellectual property does not just refer to their ideas or words. It also means any images, music and videos that they have created. These types of works are protected online by a licence that tells us if and how we can use or modify them. Understanding these licences is important not only for accessing great media for your research projects, but for making sure you're a respectful digital citizen. Show Less

Most of us always try to abide by the law. But did you know that just by submitting a research report, you could be committing a crime? That is, if you have used the work or intellectual property of others without acknowledging it. Plagiarism is theft and it has serious consequences in schools and workplaces alike. The good news is that it’s not hard to research ethically and compile a bibliography that cites the work of others and strengthens your own! Show Less

Our school and local libraries have a wealth of information to help us research just about any topic we can think of. But where do you start? Understanding online library catalogues, classification systems and signage is a fundamental library skill that can mean the difference between hopelessly trawling the shelves and a quick, focused library search that leaves more time for research! Show Less

It is easy to feel overwhelmed when we perform a search online. Often, we get millions of results, only a fraction of which will be appropriate for our research. Enter: databases, and using them is simpler than you might think. This programme explains how you can save time, frustration and level up your research skills by making the most of databases. Show Less

You wouldn’t catch a plane to get to school, nor would you ride your bicycle to get to your tropical island holiday! So what makes a mode of transport suitable? Why do we use certain modes for certain activities? And how has transport changed over time? In this animated Miniclip, discover how technology has helped us to travel further and faster; and see how land, air and water transports have enabled us to connect with the rest of the world. Show Less

The last century has seen communication change rapidly due to developments in technology. Today, we can connect to each other faster than ever before and share our ideas in the blink of an eye! This Miniclip looks at how communication has changed over time, how technology has brought us closer together, as well as the different methods of communication available to us today. Why do we use them? How do they allow us to communicate? Find out in this fun, animated Miniclip! Show Less

"Welcome to Faceschool" follows thirteen-year-old Toby as he is introduced to a strange world of social media where its users are face-to-face but behave as if they were online. With the guidance of Navigator Milly, Toby meets many unusual characters along the way and learns through their example, what behaviours to avoid, and what safety measures he can take in making sure his social media experience is a positive one. After meeting and getting past characters that include The Anybodies, Me-Me’s, Fakers, Copy-Creeps, Keyboard Warriors and Keyboard Sheep, Toby must resist the horrible Trolls in joining Milly at the hangout of the Navigators - smart social media users who know how to stay safe online. Show Less

Tom breaks a piece in his dart gun, so he learns the importance of making an accurate technical drawing in order to get things right. Tom has to make his drawing a number of times until he gets it right, which teaches him not to give up, resulting in satisfaction for a job well done. Show Less

Learn how airbags and other safety mechanisms in cars keep us safe from harm. The Professor makes an airbag that does not deflate and realises that there are problems with this. He does not give up, but instead considers how to make the airbag better and creates a mechanism that makes it deflate as well. Show Less

This unit introduces technology, robotics and machines through Robokot and Elesapian, two entertaining characters who bring this topic to life. This unit introduces the history of technology and explains the fundamentals of robotics. By playing games and solving activities, students will learn what a robot is and the difference between a robot and other complex machines. They will also learn the concept of programming and will discover all the areas in which robots are now a reality in their everyday lives. Also introduced is the concept of simple machines such as pulleys, screws, wheels and inclined planes, as well as how machines are used by people around the world and how this is linked to progress. By reasoning and solving the included resources and activities students will be able to learn about different types of machines and how they are used, and they will understand the concept of efficiency at performing a certain task. Show Less

Files are stored on a hard drive and are different sizes. In this clip, cartoon dinosaurs are used to demonstrate the size of files. It begins with bits that are made up of 1s and 0s. Eight bits make a byte, 1000 bytes make a kilobyte, 1000 kilobytes make a megabyte, 1000 megabytes makes a gigabyte and 1000 gigabytes make a terabyte. Show Less

There are many different elements that go into making a computer game: deciding on the type of game, designing the pictures, animating the characters and choosing what will happen. We learn about why it's important to make sure that the game gets progressively harder and rewards are given. The use of code and algorithms is explained. Show Less

Discover how search engines work through the example of a bear searching for honey in the woods. A search engine uses web crawlers to find information and send back a copy of each page. Algorithms are used to find the best match, and then the sites are ranked according to many factors, including how well the site is written, how frequently it is used and how popular it is. Students will learn that the algorithms are like the bees searching for the best honey. Show Less

How the Internet works is explained using the example of pigeons in their nests. All the pigeons, or computers, are connected together, and this is called a network. The rules of how the messages are sent are called protocols, and large messages are broken into small parts called packets. Each pigeon’s nest has a number called an IP address, and these numbers can be found on a domain name server which is like a computer address book. Students will also learn that it is the routers that send the message to the computer. Show Less

This episode takes a brief journey through time, showing how computers have changed over the years. From the mechanical calculator invented by Charles Babbage and programmed by Ada Lovelace, to Alan Turing’s algorithms which are still used in computers today, we see the evolution of what we know today as computers. We learn that coded messages were used during World War Two and the World Wide Web was invented in the 1990s! Show Less

This episode provides a basic explanation of what computer bugs are, describing them as mistakes in a computer program. A cartoon mouse and a robot demonstrate what computer bugs are. It also demonstrates the concept of bug-fixing in a simple and approachable manner. Show Less

Students will watch some examples of how computers are used day to day by ordinary people. They are used in shops, for taking photographs, in sport, for making music and films, to help us to learn, in aeroplanes and for going into space. What do you use your computer for? Show Less

Complex programming is introduced using an example of a kangaroo that needs to have a drink without being eaten by a crocodile. The kangaroo needed to check that the crocodile was not near the water before she had a drink and she needed more than one drink during the day. The kangaroo sequences steps that she needs to take to have a drink without the crocodile getting to her. She uses algorithms that include selection and a loop. Making sure that the steps are done in the correct order is important and so is repeating the algorithm. Show Less

This programme provides a basic introduction to animation, demonstrating how lots of pictures that are slightly different are put together to make it look as if a picture is moving. Pictures of a cat are shown in slightly different positions and when shown quickly one after the other, it looks like it is walking. Students will discover that animations can also be made using code! Show Less

Variables are introduced using the example of a squirrel who wants to know where his nuts are buried, and how many he has. A variable is described as a special box that computers keep useful information in. There are two variables in the example - where the nuts are, and how many he has. Students will learn that when one variable is changed, the other automatically changes too. Show Less

The Internet is described as lots of computers connected to each other. Examples are given of devices that use the Internet, including tablets, laptops, consoles, phones and cameras. The differences between wired and wireless internet connections are briefly explained and some uses are given. Show Less