Students in NSW will soon be equipped for the digital and IT jobs of the future, as the first update to the state’s Computing and Technology curriculum in two decades is rolled out under the Minns Government.
The new Computing and Technology syllabuses will be the most significant overhaul to the NSW computing curriculum since 2003, empowering students with the skills they need to thrive as advancements in technology continue to transform the way we work and live.
Students from Blakehurst High School in Sydney’s south have become early adopters of the new courses, taking part in a pilot program this year ahead of the broader rollout.
The new and improved Computing and Technology syllabus for Years 7 to 10 and Software Engineering, Computing Technology Life Skills and Enterprise Computing for Years 11 and 12, will be rolled out across NSW high schools in 2024, giving students the opportunity to gain the knowledge and skills needed for jobs of the future.
The updated syllabuses include user experience design, mechatronics, data analysis and visualisation and object-oriented programming as well as machine learning, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and virtual and augmented reality.
The new syllabuses will encourage students to think innovatively by engaging in hands-on projects and real-world, problem-solving scenarios, giving them practical skills and experience building on their digital literacy.
It’s hoped the new syllabuses will attract more students to computing subjects after a decade of falling numbers, with the NSW Department of Education also launching a campaign to encourage more high school students to enrol in the courses.
It is also hoped the overhaul will attract more Technological and Applied Studies (TAS) teachers to the profession.
Deputy Premier of NSW and Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car said:
“I am so excited to be rolling out the state’s new Computing and Technology courses for NSW high school students to get a head start on future careers in these fields.
“These are vital skills for tomorrow’s leaders to develop, and in a rapidly-changing field it’s well past time for a proper update to the curriculum.
“Our teachers will now be able to draw from up-to-date content, so they can focus on getting the best outcomes for students, not spending unnecessary hours reworking old syllabuses.
“I look forward to seeing NSW students embrace this opportunity to develop skills, knowledge and ways of thinking that will set them on track for future careers in technology and other fields.”
Blakehurst High School Principal Sophie Kapsimalis said:
“The students love the new Computing and Technology courses. It not only helps students to develop transferable skills that are applicable to many different industries, but also to develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity.
“By choosing Computing and Technology subjects, students gain a competitive edge and position themselves for wide range of career opportunities.”
Blakehurst High School student Diana Sheptitskaya said:
“I really like the idea of designing my own projects. It’s made me more interested in design and technology, making me want to grow my knowledge in these subjects.”
