Digital Technologies Institute September Newsletter

🔔 In This Issue

📣 Introducing the B4 Spark – A hands-on journey into digital systems

🐍 Online Now: Python Intro Course – A coding adventure

🚀 Curriculum Search Engine – Smarter, faster lesson planning

🎓 Teach AI with Confidence – Register now

🧠 Explore student learning on MyComputerBrain

📝 Fresh off the Blogsphere – New ideas and insights

🎬 Video Explainers – Ready to use in your classroom

📣 Meet us at QSITE Conference – Sept 22–23 in Townsville

📣 Hello, B4 Spark

Introducing the B4 Spark – A Hands-On Journey into Digital Systems

We’re excited to launch the B4 Spark — a brand-new kit, designed and manufactured in Australia, that takes students on a step-by-step journey inside the computer.

Aligned with the Australian Curriculum: Digital Technologies, the B4 Spark helps students explore data representation, digital systems, and algorithmic thinking through practical, classroom-ready activities.

Available in two versions:

B4 Spark Core – introduces the foundations of computing
B4 Spark Master Programmer – extends learning into cybersecurity

Together, they offer schools a flexible, scalable way to bring Digital Systems to life.

👉 Check it out

🐍 Online Now: Python Intro Course

We're seeing fantastic adoption of our free MyComputerBrain: Python Intro course, a free, browser-based adventure designed to teach students in Years 7–10 the fundamentals of Python coding through an intriguing, story-driven mission. In this engaging course, students don’t begin with a simple “Hello World.” Instead, they uncover a strange program on the school server. With each discovery, they awaken a dormant system.

👉 Watch the promo video.

The activities are crafted to challenge students to:

Use Python to interact with and repair the mysterious system.
Apply coding concepts like `print()`, `input()`, variables, decisions and loops through immersive problems.
Encode information in a binary matrix.
Hack an Artificial Intelligence

Curriculum Search Engine

Looking to build a lesson around climate change or data analysis in Science? The Curriculum Search Engine helps you find exactly where these topics align with the Australian Curriculum V9 — in seconds.

For example, a quick search for “climate change” instantly shows links to learning areas, subjects, content descriptors, etc. You’ll also see cross-curriculum priorities such as Sustainability, and suggested activities generated by our AI Advisor— perfect for turning a search into a lesson. Click on any output to explore the curriculum in more detail.

This tool is designed specifically for Australian educators and includes:

Smart visual filters across learning areas
Direct curriculum code references
AI-generated lesson idea starters

This tool turns inspiration into actionable teaching resources within minutes. Try it now and revolutionise your curriculum planning. The first month is free, and there are no annoying auto-renewing subscriptions.

👉 Check it out

Teacher PD: Learn, Grow, Inspire

Our live Professional Development series continues in September. 📅 Register early to secure your spot!

When	What	Domain
September 2	Artificial Intelligence Primer Express	Artificial Intelligence
September 3	Coding with Artificial Intelligence	Artificial Intelligence
September 10	AI: Ethics, Privacy and Society	Artificial Intelligence
September 16	Understanding Generative AI	Artificial Intelligence

If you prefer to do AI-related PD at times that suit you best:

The DTI Classroom offers an interactive, self-paced AI workshop. It includes everything teachers need to get started with AI teaching. 👉 Check it out
You can subscribe to our AI video channel to watch three webinars at your convenience. 👉 Check it out and scroll to the bottom of the page.

📝 Fresh on the Blog

We’ve published exciting reads that dive into the heart of digital learning and AI education. Check them out!

📣 Teach Digital Technologies with a Spark

The B4 Spark is a hands-on computing kit designed to let students see and build the inner workings of a computer.

🚀 Our new Python Intro Course has landed! And it's free!

What if your next Python unit was not just about syntax — but about saving, or perhaps unleashing, a powerful system?

💡 Curriculum Planning Just Got Easier—Here’s How

Every teacher dreams of crafting lessons that spark curiosity, build deep understanding, and connect learning across subjects.

Student Learning through MyComputerBrain

MyComputerBrain is our online learning system that lets students explore the exciting world of Digital Technologies. The newest releases are the Python Intro and Generative AI Course. Visit MyComputerBrain and check the Getting Started guide.

🎬 Video Explainers

Scroll to the bottom of MyComputerBrain to find our course promos and AI explainer videos, perfectly crafted for your students. Our main website also features an entire section of additional AI and digital technologies videos to support your teaching of Digital Technology.