Digital Technology

Digital Technologies and Digital Literacy are essential skills for life in a connected world. From smartphones and computers to smart devices and online services, students must understand how technology works and how to use it safely and effectively.

At Aitken College, students develop these capabilities from Prep through to Year 12. Our Cumberland Building includes a STEM space equipped with robotics equipment, 3D printers and class sets of laptops. Within the Primary School, students build digital literacy and coding skills through an integrated STEM approach in the PYP curriculum.

In Year 7, students begin using their own Mac laptops to organise their learning and collaborate across subjects using cloud-based technologies.

Students are introduced to programming by designing text-based games using Python in Year 7. This provides the foundation for Digital Technology and Computer Programming electives from Years 8–10.

Through these subjects, students explore areas including:

• Python programming
• Artificial Intelligence
• Emerging Technologies
• Web development
• Game design
• Networks
• Data analysis and visualisation
• Data safety and cyber security

VCE Applied Computing & Data Analytics

Students continuing into VCE study Applied Computing in Year 11, exploring areas such as data analysis, object-oriented programming, innovative digital solutions and network security.

In Year 12 students completing VCE Data Analytics, learning how to collect and interpret data from multiple sources to create effective visualisations. Students also complete a major research-based School Assessed Task (SAT) before finishing the course with a Cyber Security outcome and final VCE examination.

Weekly Clubs

Students can extend their interests through weekly clubs including Game Makers Guild and Coding Club.

These programs allow students to explore technology and game development beyond the classroom while working with like-minded peers from across the secondary year levels. Students work towards creating a fully functioning game or program to showcase at the end of the year.

Industry Partnerships

Aitken College also maintains a strong partnership with Code For Schools (previously CS In Schools). Through this collaboration, students have won national programming competitions and gained access to life changing cadetship programs beyond Year 12.

These opportunities have been useful to provide valuable industry experience to help fast-track successful students into future careers in Digital Technology.