In this area of study, students work collaboratively to design and develop an innovative solution to an identified problem, need or opportunity. They apply all stages of the problem-solving methodology to investigate the use of digital devices and emerging digital technologies and their applications. Details of the problem-solving methodology specifications are on pages 18–23.
The innovative solution may take the form of a proof of concept, prototype or product. The final form of the innovative solution can be decided by the students in consultation with their teacher, because the complexity of the innovative solution to address the problem, need or opportunity may not allow for either a working prototype or product to be developed. Since the emphasis is on a collaborative project, students should negotiate a problem, need or opportunity to research and then design and develop their innovative solution.
As the technological landscape continues to rapidly evolve, the potential topics that students can explore will change. For example, students could choose one of the following topics to explore in greater detail:
artificial intelligence, machine learning or neural networks, such as:generating dashboards through the writing and refinement of promptsusing TensorFlow (open source machine learning framework) to analyse and predict trends in data sequencesbuilding and training image classification models, for example, to distinguish crown-of-thorns starfish from those starfish that live in harmony with coral reefsassistive and wearable technologies or Internet of Things (IoT), such as:
communication aids for individuals with speech or motor impairmentsproximity sensors for individuals with visual impairments to help navigate their surroundingssmart braille displays that convert digital text to tactile braille outputsmart devices in healthcare, such as:
fall detection systems that automatically send alerts to caregivers or emergency servicesautomated pill dispensers for individuals with dementiadrones, microcontrollers, nanosatellites and robotic devices, such as:
drones or nanosatellites that use microcontroller sensors to collect hygrometry data, which is either stored on an SD card or telemetered (radio transmission) to a receiving ground station (laptop/computer)games development or multimedia programming, such as:
narrative-driven games that tell compelling stories related to cyberbullying, climate change or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoplessimulation games that challenge players to construct and manage eco-friendly citiesmultimedia programming that guides individuals through a fitness regime or mindfulness exercisesmixed realities, such as augmented or virtual reality, to develop programs that use avatars to deliver educational content, or that create a virtual relaxation space with serene landscapes, soothing sounds and guided mindfulness exercisesblockchain, such as:
solving problems in food supply chainsa game to demonstrate how blockchain technology would work in a particular industry, such as the pharmaceutical industryinnovative uses for emerging technologies, such as:
artificial intelligence-based (AI) code generators to build an AI-based debugger that assists in identifying and fixing errors in codeany other innovative digital solution.A project plan is prepared to support an organised approach to problem solving. Students use software to record the identification and sequencing of tasks, time allocation, milestones, dependencies and critical path. They record and monitor the progress of their innovative solution throughout the stages of the problem-solving methodology. Students do not have to use dedicated project management software.
Students apply computational, design and systems thinking skills when developing solution designs and transforming them into a proof of concept, prototype or product.
On completion of this unit the student should be able to, in collaboration with other students, identify a problem, need or opportunity to analyse, design, develop and evaluate an innovative solution.
To achieve this outcome the student will draw on key knowledge and key skills outlined in Area of Study 1.