This section outlines the meaning of, and connection between, the Big Ideas and Significant Learning, which together form the Learning Matrix. It then explains each Digital Technologies Big Idea.

The Technology Learning Area, including its whakataukī, inform this subject's Significant Learning — learning that is critical for students to know, understand, and do in a subject by the end of each Curriculum Level. This covers knowledge, skills, competencies, and attitudes. It also includes level-appropriate contexts students should encounter in their education. The Learning Area's whakataukī is:

Kaua e rangiruatia te hāpai o te hoe; e kore tō tātou waka e ū ki uta.

Do not lift the paddle out of unison; our canoe will never reach the shore.

The whakapapa and meaning of the Technology Learning Area whakataukī

The Technology Learning Area whakataukī offers a framework for understanding technology practice. It tells the story of ākonga within the Technology Learning Area embarking on a shared journey, collaborating with others to achieve a goal.

In Digital Technologies, the waka represents the development of the digital technologies outcome. It is made by people, for people. Ākonga and kaiako work together to guide the waka to new destinations. Everyone in the waka has a role to play. We all come from different places, bringing diverse perspectives and unique skillsets to the team. The waka is led by innovation. Sometimes we may set out on our journey with all blue skies and calm seas, but skies can be deceiving, and tides can turn. Paddling in harmony, ākonga will use their skills to be innovative and adapt to conditions while working towards a shared outcome. Together, ākonga will learn to use their knowledge and judgement to decide which is the best route to take and, with practice, they will become more independent and more able to chart their own routes.

The journey is the technological process. Ākonga will learn to calm the waters and be one with the environment, to read and respect their surroundings, know when to power through, and when to let the waters guide them. Their waka journey will teach ākonga to be more confident in their abilities. With the positive and reinforcing guidance of the kaiako/captain, they will be able to challenge their own thinking.

The shore represents the end point in the process that ākonga have undertaken. The innovation and strategies used on the journey determine the landing point. A waka journey can teach ākonga to move out of their comfort zones, to take risks, and to explore their own capabilities and those of the digital tools they use. In a waka, nothing is done alone, any risk is taken together. Before adapting processes, it is important to know and understand the conventions of the discipline — to know the rules before breaking them. Ākonga must understand the digital technologies, the technological practice, and how both are evolving.

The subject's Big Ideas and Significant Learning are collated into a Learning Matrix for Curriculum Level 6. Teachers can use the Learning Matrix as a tool to construct learning programmes that cover all the not-to-be-missed learning in a subject. There is no prescribed order to the Learning Matrix within each level. A programme of learning might begin with a context that is relevant to the local area of the school or an idea that students are particularly interested in. This context or topic must relate to at least one Big Idea and may also link to other Big Ideas.

There are four Big Ideas in Digital Technologies. The nature of this subject as a discipline means aspects of Significant Learning often cross over multiple Big Ideas, and vice versa.