So, you’ve been allocated the subject Digital Technologies for 2023. If this has left you feeling a little nervous, you’re not alone! Many teachers, whether they are newly graduated or have been in the classroom for years, feel daunted by this subject.
However, there are so many things to love about teaching Digital Technologies! To help you feel more excited, and less nervous, we reached out to sixteen experienced Digital Technologies teachers from across Australia, to come up with this super handy list of things first-time Digital Technologies teachers need to know.
Each teacher was asked the same three questions:
- What is something new teachers can look forward to with teaching Digital Technologies?
- What is one thing new teachers should consider when planning or delivering Digital Technologies?
- What is one “must-have” for teaching Digital Technologies?
Adam King
P-12 Instructional Designer, Suncoast Christian College | T: @theworkpad
Something to look forward to?
One of the most enjoyable aspects of teaching Digital Technologies is coaching and mentoring students through the different phases of product design and development and seeing the creation of innovative digital solutions (i.e. Bird Bell). Seeing students work through their difficulties, problem solving, trying new things and using iterative approaches is truly rewarding because as an educator you are able to track the growth, progress and success of your students.
Something to consider?
When teaching Digital Technologies ensure you don’t put the cart before the horse. The wagon represents technology and sometimes teachers make the mistake of allowing technology to drive pedagogy. To ensure optimal outcomes, technology must support our endeavours. One way of achieving this is by unpacking the curriculum and identifying what is needing to be achieved. Having clearly defined the learning needs, resources can be purchased to achieve curriculum goals.
One “must have” -
The Digital Technologies Hub and CS Unplugged provide a great start for anyone new to the profession of teaching Digital Technologies. The websites provide excellent links, resources and ideas in teaching challenging topics like binary. In regard to the best hardware, Ozobots and Sphero are essential. MicroBits, Adafruit Circuit Playground Express, Makey Makey, Wonder Dash, Circuit Scribe, Edison, DJI Tello, Lego Spike Prime, EV3 and WeDo 2.0 are among some of my favourite tools.
Bess Naughtin
STEAM Educator & eLearning Leader | T: @stjohnsfootscray
Something to look forward to?
It’s mind-blowing when you think about the tools children have at their fingertips. I watch 6-year-olds animate their LEGO, apply green screen technology, add sound effects and soundtracks in just one hour, using just one device. How amazing is that?! Whether it’s stop-motion animation, programming a video game or 3D printing a CAD they’ve designed, the idea that kids can create something out of nothing (often using free software) is just awesome. Digital Technologies allow them to express themselves (or their learning) in the most creative and exciting ways.
Something to consider?
I think you need to spend your budget wisely. I’ve found that whiz bang robots aren’t necessarily good bang for buck. Sometimes (relatively) cheap and simple tools (like micro:bits and Makey Makeys, where you can afford to have 1:1 or 1:2) will result in much more successful learning experiences. I also love that they are open-ended tools, and you can continually reimagine the way you use them.
One “must have” -
Just one?! My go-tos are Scratch and Scratch Jr for coding, WeVideo or iMovie for media creation, Tinkercad for 3D printing (or just designing CADs) and I would struggle without Google Classroom. My favourite book (at the moment) is A House for Every Bird by Megan Maynor. While it’s not about Digital Technologies specifically, STEM teachers will love the way it playfully unpacks the first part of the Engineering Design Process.
Cameron Ross
ICT Coach | T: @CameronRoss3
Something to look forward to?
At the moment, there are so many amazing technology tools that educators can use in the classroom that work just as well in the Digital Technologies classroom. My favourites at the moment are:
- Canva - provides educators and students with a range of options when creating, designing and sharing their understanding of content
- Minecraft for Education - Provides students with a great range of tools to better understand coding, whether it be block coding for our younger students or python / javascript for our older students
- Flip - provides educators and students with a range of options when creating, designing and sharing their understanding of content
Something to consider?
Challenges include:
- Amount of time provided in the timetable
- Constantly changing curriculum and technology tools available
Some considerations:
- Opportunities to share content knowledge with a wide range of teachers (in my situation, I am the only Digital Technologies teacher and therefore I have to develop curriculum that can be taught by teachers who aren’t Digital Technologies trained)
- Development of knowledge in conjunction with your students
One “must have” -
My ‘one’ must have as a teacher of Digital Technologies is a can do attitude, and the growth mindset that provides you the opportunity to understand how as educators we can provide students with the chance to challenge themselves and their own ideas through computational thinking, systems thinking and design thinking especially around the use of a design process. What makes teaching the subject easier are books that I like to refer to that provide resources to supplement the curriculum - Jake Miller’s Education Duct Tape, Matt Miller’s DON'T Ditch That Tech: Differentiated Instruction in a Digital World eBook and from an inspirational teaching and leading standpoint Dave Burgess’ Teach Like a Pirate and Dr. Chris Jones Seeing To Lead. Obviously not to forget the amazing books from Kim Maslin, The Tweeting Galah series too.
Christine Koopman
Head of Technologies PLC, Perth | T: @ChrisKoopman1 | L: linkedin.com/in/christine-koopman | F: christine.koopman.33
Something to look forward to?
Digital Technologies is fun! There are many ways to deliver content and develop assessments/activities where students can show their strengths and be creators rather than consumers of technology. Digital Technologies is a life-skill and is constantly evolving – there is always something new and exciting to learn (for both teachers and students). It is very versatile – it can be taught discretely or embedded into other subjects. There is a huge range of ways to implement the syllabus and there’s always exciting new developments/devices to add to your repertoire. This allows opportunities to engage students, making the subject fun and ‘real-world’ for learners.
Something to consider?
Let’s face it, technology can be fickle at times. We always want a positive learning experience and outcome, so planning to have un-plugged versions/aspects of lessons is always a great idea. Always test out the devices/resources/activities yourself first – if you have problems or questions, invariably, so will your students. It’s best to work through yourself and have solutions/alternatives ready. Budget – having up-to-date equipment/devices isn’t always necessary or required, but if you are looking into equipment, keep in mind the maintenance, upkeep and/or future replacement of these.
One “must have” -
Build a professional network – both in person and online. Most teachers are happy to provide support and share resources. Social media connections are also a great place to source and share ideas. There is a huge range of shared activities, worksheets, and assessments online that teachers can use or adapt to suit their own situation. Your networks also keep you up to date with hardware, software, devices, and pedagogical trends. Tapping into online courses, professional learning, and resources repositories are another great way to build skills and ideas for delivering content. Digital Technologies Hub (https://www.digitaltechnologieshub.edu.au/), CSER Digital Technologies Education & MOOCs (https://csermoocs.adelaide.edu.au/), Grok Academy (https://groklearning.com/), Bitesize (https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize), and Code.org (https://code.org/) (just to name a few) are really useful.
Danny Summerell
Head of E-Learning & Resources Innovation, Bialik College (Melbourne) | T: @ponderingdan | I: @ponderingdan | L: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dannysummerell/
Something to look forward to?
The best thing about teaching Digital Technologies is the freedom it gives you. There are so many ways teachers can be creative in delivering content and many ways students can be creative in their work. I call it creative technology because of this. Some examples are allowing students to create an app of their choice or using Minecraft Education Edition or incorporating Design & Technology or Media Arts. Possibilities are surprisingly endless if you are innovative enough.
Something to consider?
The biggest challenge (for me) is coding - it's daunting at first but the beauty is that you don't need to know it all. I've taught coding for years using Scratch, Scratch Jr and Hopscotch and still wouldn't call myself an expert. The concepts aren't hard to understand or teach but don't underestimate what your students will learn by simply 'playing'. Every lesson I've taught code, I've learnt one extra thing either from a student who worked it out or by helping fix a problem with them. It's surprising.
One “must have” -
One 'must-have' for teaching Digital Technologies is an open mind. There are plenty of free tools that you can teach and learn with but if you are not open minded to the possibilities (especially for creativity), you will struggle. In saying that though - some of the best ideas come from peers, so join a Facebook group (Digital Technologies/ ICT Teachers Australia is a good one). If you want good tools to start with, look at Scratch or Scratch Jr for coding - they are brilliant. If you want to learn more, I highly recommend the CSER Digital Technologies MOOCs - great FREE PL for Digital Technologies curriculum in Australia.
Emily Fintelman
Learning Specialist and Innovation Coach, Spensley Street Primary School (Melbourne) | T: @mrsfint | W: http://emilyfintelman.com
Something to look forward to?
Get prepared for your students to be makers! Using Digital Technologies allows students to create movies, animations, games, 3D models, digital art, stop motion animation and so many more things. These can be seem complex or daunting but they can actually be quite simple to start off with. My favourite place to start with simple animations is Scratch, and Adobe Express is an easy entry into making short video clips – both free.
Something to consider?
Expect not to know everything. If you are introducing a new app or tool, be comfortable enough to show your students the basics, and from there make it clear that they will be becoming the experts, not you. This allows you to hand over the reins and let the students explore. It will also encourage your students to be curious risk-takers and willing to try different things to see what works.
One “must have” -
One of the things I always introduce early on is getting students used to different interfaces. No two programs, tools or devices look the same but there are often some similarities. It might sound like: “I want to play my video back/share a file/delete a picture/add text/make my robot turn left. What could I press to try and do that? What options are on the screen or the tool? What icons do you recognise?” This usually helps students become more fluent in problem solving across different tools and frees you up to help with much more interesting questions than “How do you start a new page?”
Kim Maslin
Digital Technologies Educator, former Pre-Primary to Year 12 Digital Technologies specialist teacher | I: @kim_maslin | T: @kimmaslin | L: www.linkedin.com/in/kim-maslin
Something to look forward to?
The engagement from the children! In all my years teaching - across all the year groups - I can’t recall a single student who wasn’t happy to be in Digital Technologies! To already have students so excited means you can focus your energy on the learning, rather than on classroom management.
Something to consider?
Things will always take longer than you anticipate! This is particularly true for tasks that are new to the students and when working with younger children. For those new to teaching Digital Technologies, I recommend you don’t try to fit too much into each lesson and don’t try to be too ambitious in Term 1 – just start with the basics, which will make the rest of the year run smooth.
One “must have” -
I feel like I can’t let this opportunity pass without mentioning my books, The Tweeting Galah series ;) I would use these books across all year groups, as a way of introducing digital citizenship concepts like privacy, cyber bullying, and screen time. Having an ‘unplugged’ resource like a book meant no printing or preparation, no charging of equipment and no reliance on technology working! Great when you are just starting out.
Laura Bain
Head of Emerging Technologies and Innovation, Matthew Flinders Anglican College | T: @larubain | I: @larubain | TikTok: @larubain | L: www.linkedin.com/in/lbain
Something to look forward to?
I feel like a lot of teachers are intimidated by the Digital Technologies curriculum. Once you break down the big ideas, this subject can be so much fun to teach. There are a lot of creative ways to approach this subject. The great thing about teaching Digital Technologies is that it doesn’t have to be an ‘extra’ and can instead be the lens you use to teach other subjects.
Something to consider?
Access to technology and digital resourcing can be challenging hurdles to overcome when trying to teach Digital Technologies. It is possible to teach technology ‘unplugged’ or without tech tools and there are a lot of resources out there to help you do this. Teachers really need to look at their existing environment and the resources that may already be native or part of the ecosystem their school operates in. You can teach a lot using Microsoft, Apple or Google’s basic applications and then you are designing learning experiences that work well in your environment.
One “must have” -
If you have nothing or are just getting started, Scratch is still one of the best and most flexible tools to use in Digital Technology lessons. Registering for a free teacher account allows you to manage your students and see their work. There are a lot of subscription platforms offering technology lessons that you set for your students and they do on their own. I really advise against using these tools to teach your Digital Technologies. They are a fine stepping stone as you are learning and are good for your own professional development but many are inauthentic and become un-engaging after a while. Digital Technologies are not going away and teachers need to build their capacity in this subject area. As with any other subject, developing learning experiences for your children and context is always best.
Matthew Ferrinda
Team Leader Digital Learning, CEWA | T: @mferrinda | L: @mferrinda
Something to look forward to?
Digital Technologies provides opportunities for students to create solutions to authentic problems, whilst developing their understanding of computer science.
Something to consider?
Process over product. Try not to become too focussed on the product when students are creating or designing, lots of rich learning happens in the process.
One “must have” -
The CEWA Digital Learning Team are really enjoying using Indi by Sphero, a programmable robot suited to the early years to develop programming and computational thinking skills! https://sphero.com/pages/sphero-indi
Micaela Worth
Primary school teacher | I: @worthteachingprimary
Something to look forward to?
My favourite thing about teaching digital technologies is the endless opportunities to integrate it into lessons and student learning across multiple learning areas, especially in a multi-age group classroom. This reduces the pressure to fit everything in an already crowded curriculum. The Humanities and Social Sciences curriculum is a great one to try it out with if you are new to planning integrated units, incorporating the digital technologies curriculum into your HASS programs.
Something to consider?
Something to consider when planning and delivering Digital Technologies would be your school’s access to a stable and reliable internet connection. This can not only impact your own delivery of lessons but also the ability for students to understand what is being taught at a deeper level. They need to be able to explore the digital systems they are expected to understand.
One “must have” -
One must-have for teaching Digital Technologies would be an iPad or device for yourself. I found this allowed me to explore new ways to teach Digital Technologies, such as using Educational Minecraft to teach and explore Australian landmarks.
Michelle Chomiak
Something to look forward to?
All the things you learn that are not just coding. Sure coding is cool and interesting, and really REALLY useful, but I love teaching students what kind of NBN connection they have, what plan they are on (omg the internet is not free?! you have to pay?!) and how your Bluetooth speaker talks to your phone/laptop using radio, and how Netflix and Instagram and TikToks are all stored the same way using just a bunch of 1s and 0s, and how every single web page has the same structure and you can set the colour by choosing how much red, green and blue.
Something to consider?
Differentiation. There will be a huge range of prior knowledge. The experienced students don't want to be bored, and the students that struggle don't want to feel like failures. Have a range (3-4) of starting points with varied amounts of scaffolding, so they can all be challenged but experience success by producing a thing. Also, pile on the enthusiasm and praise BIG TIME, especially the girls who are far more self-critical and have lower self-confidence. Give high fives. Tell them they have surprised you and this is tricky, and they are awesome. This will reap rewards.
One “must have” -
Enthusiasm and being open to learn. Code.org videos, and microbits.
Rachael Lehr
Associate Principal (former Science and Digital Technologies teacher & host of #PrimarySTEMChat) | T: @rachaellehr
Something to look forward to?
Teaching with Digital Technologies opens so many ways for students to show what they know in innovative and engaging ways and to engage with the world around them in ways that were previously inconceivable. Digital technologies are a perfect tool for providing 'voice' and 'choice' to students, as they can play to their strengths by choosing a digital platform that they feel comfortable with, and there is so much scope for connecting with authentic audiences beyond the four walls of the classroom.
Something to consider?
Be wary of trying all the latest new things (apps, programs, devices) and being distracted by 'bells and whistles'. Less can be more and it's important to consider 'why' you are introducing a new digital tool, and whether it adds value to your learning program. I went down the path of only choosing apps/programs that could be used across year levels and subject areas and ensured that students learnt how to use them really well and had opportunities to become experts in their use. Constantly trying new things prevents this from happening.
One “must have” -
I really love using Minecraft Education, both for the ability to learn to code within it and the way you can authentically embed its use to demonstrate learning through rich creations into any learning area, in any year level. Minecraft is highly engaging for students (to the point where they don't want to leave a lesson!) and it's a bonus that it also allows students to learn about digital technologies and to showcase their learning in other subjects within a platform that is very relatable to children of any age.
Rob Kelly
STEM and Digital Technologies Teacher ,Berwick Lodge Primary School | T: @robkellytweets
Something to look forward to?
Teaching and learning has changed a lot in schools over the last decade – especially in the area of Digital Technologies. The clunky desktop computers with cathode-ray tube monitors have been replaced with slick, liquid crystal displays and iPads are a staple of most school's Digital Technologies program.
In my school, I teach students how to code before they can read, as I believe my role is to help students be ‘future ready’. Of course, the greatest thing about teaching the subject is that it’s very relatable. From online gaming to social media, kids are using digital technology to interact with the world around them every day. Teaching them how to use that technology wisely and effectively is part of the job.
As every year passes, digital technology continues to form an important part of what it means to be literate in the 21st Century.
Something to consider?
Championing the use of digital technologies in your school is a good start and you must encourage your school leadership to invest in quality products in order to deliver a quality teaching and learning program. Buy some 3D printers and micro-controllers to build a comprehensive STEM and digital technologies program. Don’t buy Chromebooks or cheap tablet devices, as they won’t cut it in the long-term.
One “must have” -
To teach a quality program, you must have the right hardware! You will need a combination of desktop and mobile devices and you need to source good software packages to make your job easier.
Here are a few of my favourite apps:
Scratch Jr: This coding application has been part of my teaching program for years (F-2). Students create their own interactive stories and animations using coloured programming blocks. They learn to problem solve and develop multiplicative thinking strategies while having fun along the way. It’s FREE and it’s super easy to learn. There is also a desktop version called Scratch V3 for laptops (G3 -G6).
Minecraft: The Education Edition: At first, I was sceptical about introducing Minecraft into my teaching and learning program. Differentiating it from the classic sandbox game was challenging, but it has turned out to be a fabulous teaching tool for middle and senior school students. It can be used on iPads and laptops and the software is specifically designed to help students develop agency and digital literacy skills. The downside is that it takes several minutes for students to log-in using a complex username and password, and it has been a very temperamental platform to update on our school servers.
Tynker: Coding and gamification go hand-in-hand these days. That’s why Tynker is such a great platform for teachers to use in junior school classrooms. Many of the coding games are free and don’t require a username or password. The downside to this program is that once the free coding games are complete, the platform locks and requires a user to create an account and sign-up to a Tynker subscription. This can be limiting if you’re on a budget, but it’s worth the money if you have it, as it boasts a range of clever coding activities.
Kodable: Another excellent coding platform. For parents and educators there are 70 + lesson plans written for you covering everything from Sequence to JavaScript. For students there are tutorials and guides to get acquainted with the platform. Like Tynker, the platform requires an account to be set-up before being able to use the software.
Micro:bit: Combining coding with robotics is like combining vanilla ice-cream with ice magic. It’s a no-brainer. The Micro:bit Educational Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation founded in the UK in 2016, with the aim of inspiring every student to create their best digital future. This coding platform is combined with a powerful micro-controller, bringing real-world coding to life for learners of all ability levels. The only downside is that a micro:bit can cost about $60 to $80 AUD.
Robin McKean
Something to look forward to?
AR, or Augmented Reality, is part of the Mixed Reality Golden Ticket for motivating and leveling up students. Adding digital information in the form of multiple sensory modalities, including visual, auditory, haptic, and olfactory, to the real world in context offers us an interactive opportunity for making a difference. VR and digital simulation tools immerse students in a real-world or carefully crafted world for them to research, gather, and present digital evidence required by their Inquiry Big Questions. Gamification adds a layer of FUN to any inquiry but will improve learning if used as part of a thinking and creating and reporting activity rather than a free time sweetener.
Something to consider?
Integration is the key to successful time management and ultimately your ability to cope with that beast we call The Curriculum. Any inquiry would benefit from collaboration with partner teachers or colleagues from other departments. Collaboration is a key to success in the classroom.
One “must have” -
A “must-have” for teaching with Digital Technologies, besides having a positive temperament (remember the glass is always half full), is a forever digital portfolio backed up to the cloud. Also remember Google and Microsoft are your friends with their Classrooms, Sites, Sways, forms, docs, spreadsheets, and the rest, all easily accessible as remote or hybrid tools du jour.
Sandhya Sharma
Teacher of Digital and Design Technologies, Penrhos College
Something to look forward to?
What I love about teaching Digital Technologies is the ever-changing landscape of such a subject area. Technology is evolving daily. The learning opportunities are abundant and varied, as is the chance to create amazing new courses, inspiring students to engage in real world thinking.
Also, as a bonus for graduate teachers, you might be the experts in regard to content to be delivered. Having just finished tertiary studies, there is so much knowledge you would have to impart on your students and new colleagues alike. If this is your curriculum area, chances are you are here to learn, grow, and make change. Digital Technologies will definitely provide you that.
Something to consider?
Digital Technologies is not just about programming/computers or the technology alone. It is also about creativity, design thinking and preparing students to use the technological tools in their approach to solving problems. While using a software can be fun and instantly gratifying, there are many other skills inherent in Digital Technologies. The challenge is how to combine the use of technology with 21st century skills to create a world ready student. Always plan with the fundamentals in mind. Where would you like to see your students at the end of the course? There achievement should always be paramount.
One “must have” -
Of course, being well resourced is a benefit, but more importantly, having an open mind. Be prepared to shift your thinking, change your approach and you will most definitely learn from your students. They have grown up in the digital era. In some ways, they are the experts. You are the experience. If something isn’t working, try something else. There is technology out there for almost anything, but the skills students learn, is more about how they use something rather than just their ability in using it. Always be open to learning, from any source.
Tim Evans
T: @edTechEvans | L: Tim Evans
Something to look forward to?
I have personally found our ‘COVID journey’, and coming out of COVID as an opportunity for reflection. We have kind of been able to pause for a while - and finding time to do that in education is difficult. I have been looking at the technology we use and really looking to find the value it adds to teaching and learning. Is this tool making a difference?
One of the ideas to come out of this reflection is something I am calling “Brilliant Basics.” I do not feel we are fully utilising the basic tools we have to their full potential. This could include iPad, MacBook, Google Workspace, Seesaw, etc. The tools we use daily. So I am really focusing on building those basic skills - “Brilliant Basics.” This in turn builds the confidence to then explore more innovative technologies.
Something to consider?
I feel accessibility is an important factor to consider. And this can mean various things. Can all students access the tool? Ideally on their own device or in small groups. Can the tool be used outside a school environment? This is not always the case, but is it a free-to-use tool, or a tool that students could explore in their spare time? Do the students need a lot of training to use the tool? If they do, is this scheduled and consider who will lead it. Is the tool device agnostic? If students can access this tool on a variety of devices, there is scope for further exploration outside of the classroom. Then, all of this can also be applied to teachers!
One “must have” -
So it is not really a tool, but again, for me, it is confidence in using the basic tools. Do we know how to access the full potential of Seesaw or Google Classroom? Do we know the ‘tips and tricks’ of iPad and/or MacBook. This boost in competence will then boost our confidence to go and try something else like AR or VR, robotics, coding, etc. We only have capacity to master a handful of tools, so we need to choose wisely.
Which piece of advice resonates with you? Be sure to share and tag us on the socials to let us know!