In this unit we explore composition and balance in images. To do this we investigate: • what is good composition in an image • the techniques used to achieve effective composition • visual weight • forms of balance: symmetric, asymmetrical, radial and mosaic • forms of symmetry: reflective, rotational, and translational • photographic balance: color, tonal and conceptual balance • the rule of thirds • improving balance using cropping in Photoshop. The concepts introduced will be for photographs, but they apply equally to any other visual medium – from painting to web pages.

In this investigation we will look at how we can use algorithms to solve problems, including: • problem solving methods: trial and error, analytical, reverse engineering, intuition, and evaluation • the types of problems that are suitable for computer solution • how an algorithm is different to heuristics • properties of an algorithm: unambiguous, finite, and general • using pseudocode to represent algorithms • the elements of an algorithm: assignment, call, and skip • debugging • the types of error that can occur in a computer program: syntax, runtime, logic, and intent • challenge questions • pseudocode syntax. This unit of work contains 4 classroom-tested activities to reinforce the concepts developed.

In this investigation we will look at the fundamentals of information systems including: • the data-information-knowledge-wisdom hierarchy • what information is and how, by itself, information does not provide knowledge or wisdom • what an information system is • the different ways information systems can be viewed: external, physical, conceptual and logical • some of the different forms of information systems: hierarchical, networked, relational, object oriented, etc. • basic terms and concepts of relational databases: tables, fields and records, cell instances, nulls, tuples, key fields and related tables. This unit of work contains 4 classroom-tested activities to reinforce the concepts developed.

Illustrator is a program that that enables you to create and to work with vector graphics. Suitable for Illustrator CS4, CS5, CS6 and CC on either a PC or a Mac. In these step-by-step activities we investigate: • the Illustrator workspace and basic operations • the difference between raster and vector graphics; common file types of each • fill and stroke • drawing lines and shapes; fill and stroke • selection and direct selection • using the pen, pencil, blob brush and paintbrush tools • the shape builder tool • tracing a line drawing and converting it to a vector graphic • Type tools: text, paragraph, path, and special effects • converting text to a vector shape.

A step-by-step, illustrated introduction to Microsoft Access (part 1 of 2 - basics). Activities include: using an Access database; navigating and searching in tables; datasheet and form views; Access terminology, including tables, records, fields and keys; design and layout views; improving the appearance of forms; inserting, deleting, and updating data; sorting data into order; queries and filters; creating a database and tables from scratch; and field type and setting keys. All files required for the activities are available as a free download through a link at the bottom of the title page.

An understanding of colour theory is basic in design work. It is important to know which colours work well with others and how colour influences the mood of a design by appealing to emotions, evoking feelings, or stirring memories. In this unit we review the basics of colour. To do this we investigate: • how colour is perceived by the eye • reflective and emitted light • making a colour wheel in Illustrator • primary, secondary and tertiary colours • additive and subtractive colour and their relation to RGB and CYMK colours • colour temperature • tone, shade and tint • colour combination schemes: complementary, analogous, triad, split-complementary, tetratic and square • colour moods.

A step-by-step, fully illustrated guide to using Microsoft Excel (part 3 of 3 - advanced). Activities include: creating and using macros; assigning a macro to a button; macro security; using filters to investigate and sort large data sets; conditional formatting; worksheet protection; goal seeking; using pivot tables to investigate, display, and summarize information; modifying pivot tables by grouping, rearranging fields, displaying multiple fields, and varying data presentation; importing data to create a pivot table; making pivot charts; and drilling down into a pivot table. All files required for the activities are available as a free download through a link at the bottom of the title page.

Activities include: templates in Publisher; the use of frames to position page elements; insert, resize, rotate and crop images; WordArt; grouping and ungrouping elements; shapes; using and linking text frames; columns; wrapping text around images; and drop caps. DTP theory is covered including typography, typefaces and style, layout and layout grids, element placement and positioning, and the use of color in documents. All files required for the activities are available as a free download through a link at the bottom of the title page.

A step-by-step, fully illustrated guide to using Microsoft PowerPoint. Activities include: basic features of PowerPoint and terminology; the four different views in PowerPoint; inserting, rearranging and deleting slides; creating a presentation from scratch; inserting graphics such as clipart; using themes; animating content; the animation pane and effect options; autorun and setting timings for a presentation; transitions; print options; creating a master slide, backgrounds, placeholders, default animation and templates; adding audio and video; and creating a menu using hyperlinks, hotspots or action buttons. All files required for the activities are available as a free download through a link at the bottom of the title page.

A step by step guide to using Adobe DreamWeaver CS6. Students learn about the Dreamweaver interface and layout, using HTML, entering and formatting text in a web page, links, using style sheets, inserting and positioning images, site creation, site navigation, publishing a site, tables and using templates. All files required for the activities are available as a free download through a link in the Set Up Guide at the end of the activities.

A step-by-step, fully illustrated guide to using Microsoft Excel (part 2 of 3 - intermediate). Activities include: functions of, sum, average, stdev, max, min, count, counta, today, now; using AutoSum; sorting text and numbers in ascending and descending order; sorting on multiple columns; challenge activity; the use of charts (graphs) in Excel to visually display data; absolute and relative addressing; the use of lookup tables; naming ranges; the if logical function; and practical application of absolute addressing and a lookup table. All files required for the activities are available as a free download through a link at the bottom of the title page.

A step by step guide to using Adobe Flash CS6. Students learn about the Flash interface, the toolbar and panels, using layers, animating armature motion, frame by frame animation, incorporating sound, motion tweens, using symbols, 3D animation and motion paths, movie clips, ActionScript, interactive buttons, shape tweening, and masking. All files required for the activities are available as a free download through a link at the bottom of the title page.

Structured Query Language (SQL) is the most widely used database query language in the world. In this investigation we look at: • the basic syntax of SQL • selecting columns and rows from a table • special operators: IN, BETWEEN, LIKE, etc. • updating an SQL database • subqueries and diagramming subqueries • processing of data in queries: arithmetic operators, functions, sorting, grouping • joining tables, including same-table joins • relational algebra terminology. This unit includes six classroom tested activities involving over 100 query questions (with answers) to reinforce the concepts learnt. The three databases used are avaialble as a free download on the title page.

A step by step guide to using Adobe Photoshop. Students learn about the Photoshop workspace, cropping, resizing and rotating images, retouching and repairing images, effects and filters, using the selection tools, image transformations, point, paragraph and path type, type transformations, masks and effects, and the use of layers. All files required for the activities are available as a free download through a link at the bottom of the title page.

Audacity is a free, easy-to-use audio-editing program that works with both the Windows and Mac operating systems. With Audacity we can record our own sounds and music, or we can work with existing audio files. These activities cover: the Audacity interface, controls, and track control panel; importing and playing audio tracks; editing techniques: selection, cut, copy and paste; labeling; amplification and other special effects; trimming, rearranging, and time shifting; noise removal; voice removal; varying tempo, speed, and pitch; normalization, equalization and compressor; recording sound, and overdubbing; creating a music mix and exporting. They also include theory on sound, file formats, sound quality, recording as well as a glossary. All audio files required for the activities are available as a free download through a link at the end of the activities.

A step by step guide to using Adobe Photoshop CC 2015. Students learn about the Photoshop workspace, cropping, resizing and rotating images, retouching and repairing images, effects and filters, using the selection tools, image transformations, point, paragraph and path type, type transformations, masks and effects, and the use of layers. All files required for the activities are available as a free download through a link at the bottom of the title page.

A step by step guide to using Adobe Fireworks CS6. Students learn about the Fireworks interface, creating animated gifs, animating text, button graphics, buttons, navigation bars and pop-up menus. All files required for the activities are available as a free download through a link at the bottom of the title page.

A step-by-step, fully illustrated guide to using Microsoft Excel (part 1 of 3 - introductory). Activities include: what a spread sheet is and the various parts of the Excel screen; the Office ribbon interface and the backstage view; what-if analysis; labels, numbers and formulas; basic calculations; formatting a worksheet and using themes to improve presentation; filling values and formulas; using functions to simplify calculations; the Sum function and AutoSum; and printing a worksheet, including headers and footers. All files required for the activities are available as a free download through a link at the bottom of the title page.