Tools and techniques

Learning intentions

• understand what tools and techniques mean in a development context
• identify relevant tools and techniques for your outcome
• examine and assess tools and techniques

Tools and techniques

Tools, in the context of a digital technologies outcome, are what you use to develop the outcome.

This includes:

• software used to develop and test the outcome
• hardware that supports development, such as your computer and input devices

Techniques are the ways that you use tools to create your outcome.

This includes:

• editing techniques for media assets (graphics, video, etc.)
• design techniques for layouts, colour choices, and structure

What are tools and techniques?

The standard requires you to use appropriate tools and techniques.

Therefore, you need to consider what is appropriate, and justify your choices.

To do this, you will analyse the tools and techniques you plan to use.

Why consider tools and techniques?

Think about the following four main points:

• Capabilities: what is the tool capable of doing? How many features does it have?
• Ease-of-use: how easy is the tool to use? How intuitive is it? Can you figure out the basics on your own?
• Learnability: how will you learn to use the tool? Are there tutorials or documentation?
• Suitability: do you need the fancy bells and whistles, or will a simpler tool give the same outcome?

Perfect is the enemy of good

Tools

You can use a drag-and-drop website builder.

In 10DIT, you made websites using Google Sites.

You are free to choose another tool. Search online for "website builder" (preferably free ones).

If you enjoy coding, you can ask your teacher for a link to a GitHub Codespace to create a website using HTML and CSS.

To learn HTML, find an online course that you can follow. Your kaiako can help with any parts you find tricky.

Tools for websites

Website builders let you create pages by dragging and dropping elements instead of writing code.

Tools for videos

There are three types of tools you should consider for video editing:

• non-linear editor (NLE)
• animation tool
• screen capture tool

Some tools are easier to use but have fewer features.

On the other hand, you may not need advanced tools for your video series to fulfil its purpose.

Pick a video editor that matches the complexity of your project and your skill level.

Tools for game development

You can develop a game by writing source code in a programming language.

There are also node-based game development toolkits, such as Unity.

You can also use block-based game development tools such as MakeCode Arcade, Minecraft Education, or Scratch.

Tools for graphics design

You can create art with programs like Photopea, Krita, or GIMP.

You can create vector illustrations with programs like Inkscape or Krita.

You can edit photos with programs like darktable or Ansel.

You can also use programs with filters or generators to create default imagery, or use templates/clipart.

Techniques

Websites

• writing code by hand in HTML and CSS (and possibly JavaScript)
• using a drag-and-drop web builder
• creating your own media assets (images, video, etc.)
• finding freely-available assets online

Videos

• shooting live action video using a camera or phone (not at school)
• recording gameplay to act out scenarios
• creating 2D (or even 3D) animations