Applied Computing
Unit 1
Overview
This unit will teach you three skills that can be invaluable in many workplaces:
- A way of understanding the requirements of users and of presenting your proposed solution.
- Using spreadsheets and databases to store and retrieve data.
- Writing computer programs
This unit is suitable for:
- A student who is interested in developing skills in using spreadsheets and databases as a preparation for part-time work in office environments such as medical clinics.
- A student who wants to know more about “data analytics”, a very “hot topic” at the movement
- A student who wants an introduction to computer programming, another “hot topic”, in an environment that does not assume much mathematical knowledge.
Download > VCE Applied Computing Study Design
Unit Assessment
A collection of tasks will be submitted, where you will demonstrate that you can:
- Follow the problem-solving methodology
- Manipulate data in a spreadsheet
- Retrieve data from a database
- Create data visualisations (charts)
- Write simple computer programs
Pathways
This unit prepares you for Units 3, 4 Data Analytics.
Data Analytics
Unit 3+4
Overview
Data, data everywhere!
Whether your goal is to trace the spread of a virus, understand employment trends or argue that providing shelter for the homeless is good public policy, data is your friend. Knowing how to retrieve data from the web and analyse it has become an important skill in the 21st century workforce. New job titles have been created, like data analyst, data scientist and data journalist. Online training and university courses in data analytics are now all the rage.
Download > VCE Applied Computing Study Design
Unit Assessment
The tasks you will complete will involve:
- Gathering data (eg from World Health Organisation) to answer a question like: What effect does social media have on the mental health of teenagers?
- Analysing the data and presenting it using visual tools
- Understanding how organisations can keep their data safe from hackers
Pathways
Data analysis is now applicable to courses and jobs in:
- Social sciences: Sociology, psychology etc.
- Health policy and physiology
- Experimental sciences, especially Genetics and Physics
- Information Technology
Food Studies
Unit 1+2
Overview
Unit 1 | This unit focuses on food from historical and cultural perspectives with a particular emphasis on the origins and roles of food throughout time across the world.
Area of Study I explores how humanity has historically sourced food starting with the hunter-gatherers right through to today’s urban living and global trade, while Area of Study 2 focuses more on Australia, the impact of indigenous foods, European settlement and the changes in our food patterns over time as well as developing an understanding of what Australian cuisine involves.
Unit 2 | This unit focuses on food systems in contemporary Australia looking at commercial food production industries, small scale domestic settings and commercial production.
Area of Study 1 focuses on primary production and food processing, manufacturing and retail and food service, while Area of Study 2 explores food production on more domestic and small scale operation. In this unit students will apply their food skills to entrepreneurial projects that potentially may move their products from domestic or small-scale setting to a commercial context.
Unit Prerequisites
N/A
Areas of Study
-
Food Around the World
Students should be able to identify and explain major factors in the development of a globalised food supply and demonstrate adaptations of selected food from earlier cuisines through practical activities. -
Food In Australia
Students should be able to describe patterns of change in Australia’s food industries and cultures, and use foods indigenous to Australia and those introduced through migration in the preparation of food products. -
Food Industries
Students should be able to describe Australia’s major food industries, analyse relationships between food suppliers and consumers, discuss measures in place to ensure a safe food supply and a design brief and a food product that demonstrates the application of commercial principles. -
Food in the Home
Students should be able to compare and evaluate similar foods prepared in different settings, explain the influences on effective food provision and preparation in the home, and design and create a food product that illustrates potential adaptation in a commercial context.
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Unit Assessment
Assessment for Unit 1 and Unit 2 will involve a range activities including short written reports, practical demonstrations, oral presentations as well as completing a range of practical activities with records that reflect the use of ingredients found in earlier cultures.
Food Studies
Unit 3+4
Overview
Unit 3 | This unit investigates the many roles and everyday influences of food including the science of food, our physical need for it and how it nourishes our bodies. The scientific rationale behind the Australian Dietary Guidelines and the Australian Guide to Healthy Eating including nutrient requirements for various lifespan stages are investigated and behavioural principles that assist in the establishment of dietary plans are developed.
Unit 4 | This unit focuses on examining debates about global and Australian food systems, issues about the environment, ecology, ethics, farming practices and the development and application of technologies. Individual responses to food information and misinformation and the development of food knowledge are explored to help empower consumers to make discerning food choices.
Unit Prerequisites
N/A
Areas of Study
-
The Science of Food.
Students should be able to explain the processes of eating and digesting food and absorption of macronutrients, explain causes and effects of food allergies, food intolerances and food contamination, analyse food selection models and apply principles of nutrition and food science in the creation of food products. -
Food Choice, Health and Wellbeing.
Students should be able to explain and analyse factors affecting food access and choice, analyse the influences that shape an individual’s food values, beliefs and behaviours and apply practical skills to create a range of healthy meals for children and families. -
Environment and Ethics
Students should be able to explain a range of food systems issues, respond to a selected debate with analysis of problems and proposals for future solutions, apply questions of sustainability and ethics to the selected food issue and develop and create a food repertoire that reflects personal food values and goals. -
Navigating Food Information
Students should be able to explain a variety of food information contexts, analyse the formation of food beliefs, evaluate a selected food trend, fad or diet and create food products that meet the Australian Dietary Guidelines.
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Unit Assessment
- Unit 3 SACs contribute 30% to the study score
- Unit 4 SAC’s contribute 30% to the study score
- End of Year Examination contributes 40%
Assessment for Unit 3 and Unit 4 will involve a range activities including short written reports, practical demonstrations, oral presentations as well as completing a range of practical activities with records that reflect the use of ingredients.
Product Design & Technology
Unit 1
Overview
Sustainable Product Redevelopment
This unit focuses on the analysis, modification and improvement of a product design with consideration of sustainability.
Students consider the sustainability of an existing product, such as the impact of sourcing materials, manufacture, distribution, use and likely disposal. They consider how a redeveloped product should attempt to solve a problem related to the original product.
Where possible, materials and manufacturing processes used should be carefully selected to improve the overall sustainability of the redeveloped product.
Unit Prerequisites
N/A
Areas of Study
- Sustainable redevelopment of a product
- Producing and evaluating a redeveloped product
Download > VCE Product Design & Technology Study Design
Unit Assessment
- Folio of observational and visualisation drawings
- Final presentations created using manual and digital methods
- Case Study supported by Written notes and/or visual materials
- Examination
Pathways
Graphic Design, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Product Design, Industrial Design, Interior Design.
Product Design & Technology
Unit 2
Overview
Sustainable Product Redevelopment
This unit focuses on the analysis, modification and improvement of a product design with consideration of sustainability.
Students consider the sustainability of an existing product, such as the impact of sourcing materials, manufacture, distribution, use and likely disposal. They consider how a redeveloped product should attempt to solve a problem related to the original product.
Where possible, materials and manufacturing processes used should be carefully selected to improve the overall sustainability of the redeveloped product.
Unit Prerequisites
N/A
Areas of Study
- Designing within a team
- Producing and evaluating within a team
Download > VCE Product Design & Technology Study Design
Unit Assessment
- Design – a design folio that contains a design brief, evaluation criteria, research, visualisations and design options, working drawings, scheduled production plan, and evaluation report
- Production & Journal – product and records of production and modifications
- Evaluation and Oral Report – an evaluation report on the finished product and an oral report as a team supported by notes
- Examination
Product Design & Technology
Unit 3
Overview
In this unit students are engaged in the design and development of a product that addresses a personal, local, or global problem (such as humanitarian issues), or that meets the needs and wants of a potential end-user/s.
The product is developed through a design process and is influenced by a range of factors including the purpose, function and context of the product; user-centred design; innovation and creativity; design elements and principles; sustainability concerns; economic limitations; legal responsibilities; material characteristics and properties; and technology.
Prerequisites
N/A
Areas of Study
- Designing for end user/s
- Product development in industry
- Designing for others
Students will investigate and define a design problem, and discuss how the design process leads to product design development.
Students will explain and analyse influences on the design, development and manufacture of products within industrial settings.
Students will document the product design process used to meet the needs of an end-user/s, and commence production of the designed product.
Download > VCE Product Design & Technology Study Design
Unit Assessment
- Outcome 1 + Outcome 2 SAC together comprise 12% total assessment
- Outcome 3 SAT Criteria 1 to 3 – comprise 30% final SAT score
Product Design & Technology
Unit 4
Overview
In this unit students engage with an end-user/s to gain feedback throughout the process of production.
Students make comparisons between similar products to help evaluate the success of a product in relation to a range of product design factors.
The environmental, economic and social impact of products throughout their life cycle can be analysed and evaluated with reference to the product design factors
Prerequisites
N/A
Areas of Study
- Product analysis and comparison
- Product manufacture
- Product evaluation
Download > VCE Product Design & Technology Study Design
Unit Assessment
- Outcome 1 SAC contributes 8%
- Outcome 2 A functional product that conforms to standards of quality indicated in the design brief outline of context.
- Outcome 3 A written report that includes evaluation of the product.
- Relevant end-user/s instructions or care labels which highlight the features, assembly, care and/or repair of the product in any of the following formats: video tutorials, annotated image of the product or other multimedia format.
- School-assessed Task for Units 3 and 4 contributes 50%.
- Exam 30%
Pathways
On completion of this unit the student should be able to compare, analyse and evaluate similar commercial products, taking into account a range of factors and using appropriate techniques.
On completion of this unit the student should be able to apply a range of production skills and processes safely to make the product designed in Unit 3, and manage time and resources effectively and efficiently.
On completion of this unit the student should be able to evaluate the finished product through testing and feedback against criteria, create end-user instructions or care labels and recommend improvements to future products.