Digital Technology Pathway Programme
1. Programme Structure
● Level 1
● Level 2
● Level 3
Key Strands (run through all levels):
- ICT Fundamentals
- Basic Electronics with
Simulation Tools
- Operating Systems, Hardware and
Best Practices
- Internet and Basic Networking
- Programming Foundations
- Cyber Security Fundamentals
- Basic IoT Concepts with Simulation Tools
Level 3
Strand 1: ICT, Productivity and Real World Tasks
● Advanced document skills
○ Reports with contents pages,
references and images
● Presentations for real
audiences
○ Design principles, avoiding
clutter, using speaker notes
● Spreadsheets
○ More advanced formulas,
charts, basic data analysis
● Cloud storage and
collaboration tools
Strand 2: Operating Systems, Hardware and Best Practices
● Operating system types
○ Desktop, mobile, basic Linux
vs Windows vs macOS idea
● System performance basics
○ CPU speed, RAM, SSD vs HDD
and their impact
● Practical tasks
○ Managing storage, checking
system information, basic troubleshooting
Strand 3: Internet and Networking Fundamentals
● Network components
○ Switches, routers, access
points, cables
● IP addresses and local
network concept
● Simple network topologies
● Practical mini labs or
simulations
○ Connecting devices in a
simulated network
○ Checking connectivity using
simple tools like ping inside a simulator
Strand 4: Programming Languages and Problem Solving
● Strengthening text based
programming
○ Python, JavaScript or another
suitable beginner language
● Core concepts
○ Functions, lists or arrays,
simple error handling
● Small projects
○ Simple games
○ Utilities such as a quiz or a
calculator
● Introduction to structured
problem solving
○ Flowcharts and pseudocode
Strand 5: Electronics with Simulation Tools
● Deeper look at circuits
○ Series and parallel circuits
● Components
○ Transistors, sensors and
basic integrated circuits
● Simulations
○ Build a traffic light
controller circuit
○ Use virtual instruments such
as multimeters and oscilloscopes where available
Strand 6: Cyber Security Essentials
● The CIA triad concept
(Confidentiality, Integrity, Availability) in simple terms
● Common cyber attacks
○ Phishing, malware, brute
force attacks introduction
● Safe behaviour
○ Secure Wi Fi use, checking
for HTTPS, updating software
● Simple practical tasks
○ Spotting phishing emails in
example exercises
○ Creating a personal “cyber
hygiene checklist”
Strand 7: Basic IoT Concepts with Simulation Tools and Mini
Projects
● IoT system design at
introductory level
○ Device layer, network layer,
application layer
● Using IoT simulators or
virtual microcontrollers
○ Example tools that simulate
Arduino or ESP type boards
● Projects in simulation
○ Smart greenhouse
■ Monitor temperature and soil
moisture
■ Automatically switch on
irrigation pump in the simulator
○ Home security example
■ Motion sensor triggering
alarm and notification in the simulation
● Optional extension
○ Show how data might be sent
to a “cloud” dashboard in the simulator
