Year 10 Technologies – Term 1 (WA Curriculum): Digital Systems Fundamentals

What this unit covers

In Term 1, Year 10 Technologies in the WA Curriculum centres on the unit “Digital Systems Fundamentals”.

Students explore the components, architecture, and functionality of digital systems to understand how technology shapes our modern world.

Lesson sequence (20 lessons)

The unit breaks down into the following lesson-by-lesson sequence — each title below is a teachable lesson, in order:

1. Introduction to Digital Systems and Binary Fundamentals
2. Understanding Computer Hardware Components and Architecture
3. Exploring Input and Output Devices in Digital Systems
4. Data Storage Methods: Memory, Hard Drives, and Cloud Systems
5. Operating Systems: Managing Digital System Resources
6. Network Fundamentals: Connecting Digital Systems
7. Internet Protocols and Data Communication Methods
8. Digital Data Types: Text, Images, Audio, and Video
9. File Formats and Compression Techniques
10. Database Systems: Organizing and Managing Information
11. Programming Concepts: Algorithms and Logic
12. Introduction to Programming Languages and Syntax
13. Creating Simple Programs with Variables and Functions
14. User Interface Design Principles for Digital Applications
15. Digital Security: Protecting Systems and Data
16. Troubleshooting Common Digital System Problems
17. Emerging Technologies: AI, IoT, and Future Systems
18. Digital Systems in Industry and Everyday Life
19. Evaluating Digital System Performance and Efficiency
20. Digital Systems Project: Designing a Solution

Curriculum codes in this unit

SCSA codes for this unit are folded into the lesson sequence above rather than listed separately.

Reading the codes: WA codes (the ones starting with WA) pack the year level, learning area, strand and content number into one string, while the national Australian Curriculum v9 uses a different anatomy that starts with AC9 — same content family, different labels. Our complete WA Curriculum guide decodes both, character by character.

Planning notes for Term 1

WA terms run roughly 9–11 weeks, and in 2026 Term 1 runs from Monday 2 February to Thursday 2 April — 9 weeks for WA public schools. With 20 lessons in this unit, that leaves breathing room for assessment, moderation and the weeks that disappear to carnivals, camps and public holidays — plan the assessable work to land two to three weeks before the end of term rather than in the final week.