Information & Software Technology covers areas as diverse as Artificial Intelligence and Robotics to database design, multimedia development to programming, networking to web site creation and other related areas. Students develop skills in design, communications, a knowledge of continually developing technology and methods, effective internet usage & understanding and knowledge of digital media. Practical components [obviously not included here] form the major part of this study.

This page accesses information on all the above areas. It includes portals and sites for specific resources, tutorials, activities, tips & tricks, historical information, communication skills, programs and more.

Information regarding Hardware Help, Software Help, The Internet and Web Site Creation is found on these pages.

If you are aware of other suitable areas or quality resources - tutorials, links, courses, data, help us improve this page by notifying the webmasters.

Artificial Intelligence

Includes simulation, modelling, … .

• AI depot
  Multiple tutorials on aspects of AI. Created by different authors. Links to other aspects of AI.
• AI on the Web
  ‘Links to 868 pages around the web with information on Artificial Intelligence. Some links will pop up additional information when you move the mouse over them’. 15 major directories, each with multiple sub-directories.
• AI Toolkit
  Free software package. Has comprehensible training modules, interactive graphical interfaces, provides hands-on examples of applying AI techniques to research problems.
• An Introduction to the Science of Artificial Intelligence
  From Thinkquest. Introduction, history, approaches, applications, people, links, bulletins, programs, headlines, interactives.
• Artificial Intelligence [2]
  Article with embedded links to people, research, discoveries, etc..
• Artificial Intelligence [3]
  History, problems [sub-sections], approaches [sub-sections], tools [sub-sections], evaluating process, applications [sub-sections], philosophy, prediction, notes, references, further reading, links. From Wikipedia.
• Artificial Intelligence FAQs
  Stanford University. Starts at the beginning with What is Artificial Intelligence ?.
• Artificial Intelligence : History Highlights and Outlook
  ‘Until 2000 or so, most AI systems were limited and based on heuristics. In the new millennium a new type of universal AI has gained momentum. It is mathematically sound, combining theoretical computer science and probability theory to derive optimal behaviour for robots and other systems embedded in a physical environment’. Extensive coverage of both areas.
• Artificial Intelligence News
  ScienceDaily. News, articles, videos, images, books, RSS, more.
• Branches of AI
  Stanford University. ‘Some of these may be regarded as concepts or topics rather than full branches’.
• International Society of Artificial Life
  Links, including areas such as competitions, software and pods, general links.
• KurzweilAI
  News, articles, links to related areas, spotlight on a topic, visions of the future, nanotechnology, further sections to check.
• PC AI
  ‘The latest information on intelligent applications, artificial intelligence. Online issues include tutorials, new product announcements, buyer’s guides, examples of successful uses of these technologies to solve real world problems’.
• Theory of Universal Learning Machines
  And Universal AI. Good, basic coverage of the area, links to related aspects.
• Welcome to AI Topics
  ‘A dynamic library of introductory information about Artificial Intelligence’. From Agents, philosophy, history, to the Turing Test.

Career Opportunities

• Careers Online
  Advice and tools for helping you with career exploration and more.
• Work Effectively
  In an Information Technology Environment. ‘On completion of this unit, learners should be competent in assimilating into an information technology environment. This is fundamental for working in an organisation’. Everything from careers to getting on with people.

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General Sites

• Australian Computer Society
• Betts Computers
  ‘Free technology learning resource’. Covers senior secondary courses [New South Wales based, but applicable in other states and territories], incorporating all course aspects. Some pages require registration but all resources are Free.
• CBHS Computing Information
  Australian. Information covering curriculum with links in topics. Very worthwhile.
• dev^x
  ‘The know-how behind application development’. Wealth of information, essentially only for senior students.
• Hitmill
  Internet Training and Technology for Students. Multiple sections cover computers, the internet, specific program training [Photoshop tutorials], web technologies, programming [covers a number of languages and scripts].
• HSC [NSW] Information Processes & Technology Site
  Topics, resources from information system databases to multimedia systems. Worth visiting.
• HSC [NSW] Software Design & Technology Site
  Topics, resources including the development & impact of software solutions. Worth visiting.
• Information and Software Technology
  ‘The following resources have been developed to support Stage 5 Information and Software Technology’. Digital Education Revolution, Department of Education & Training, NSW.
• Links for Learning
  Stage 5 Information and Software Technology. Computer Hardware tutorials, Digital Media, Multimedia, Robotics. Digital Education Revolution, Department of Education & Training, NSW.
• Printed Circuit Board Artist Software
  ‘Welcome to The Industry’s Best FREE Printed Circuit Board Layout Software’.
• Scratch
  ‘Scratch is a programming language that makes it easy to create your own interactive stories, animations, games, music and art - and share your creations on the web. As young people create and share Scratch projects, they learn important mathematical and computational ideas, while also learning to think creatively, reason systematically, and work collaboratively. Scratch is developed by the Lifelong Kindergarten Group at the MIT Media Lab’. More than 1 000 000 projects, many galleries, tutorials, ScratchEd for educators, wiki, more.
• Software Engineering Resources
  Annotated links grouped under headings. Includes software, articles, information, more.
  Highly recommended.
• Solid State Technology Association [JEDEC]
  ‘The leading developer of standards for the solid-state industry. Publications and standards they generate are accepted throughout the world. All JEDEC standards are available online, at no charge’.
• TEFA Links
  Technology links. Browse to find those applying to Computing and Technology.
• VCE IT
  For those involved with the Senior IT Curriculum in Victoria [and elsewhere], this could prove a must visit site.
• Welcome to Computer Ethics
  Thinkquest. Everywhere, but are we using them in an appropriate and positive way ? Looks at this question and covers copyright to privacy.

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Internet & Website Development

• Cascading Style Sheets
  ‘Save a lot of work with CSS ! In our CSS tutorial you will learn how to use CSS to control the style and layout of multiple Web pages all at once’. w3schools.com. For beginners you might also check the CSS Beginner Tutorial while for those at an advanced level, one of the best sites can be found at A List Apart.
• HTMLementary
  ‘Tutorial and guide to learning HTML and writing Web pages. Sample Web pages display beside your browser’s output. All HTML tags are linked to brief descriptions. Includes Free HTML editor and colour calculator’.
• HTML Goodies : The Ultimate HTML Resource
  Primers, HTML 5, Tutorials for specific aspects and much more.
• JavaScript for the Total Non-Programmer
  ‘This tutorial will take you step by step through the fundamentals of Javascript. You will learn how to write functions, use data from text boxes, create IF-THEN conditionals, program loops, generally make your web page smarter’.
• Thinkquest
  ‘ThinkQuest inspires students to think, connect, create, share. Students work in teams to build innovative and educational websites to share with the world. Along the way, they learn research, writing, teamwork, and technology skills and compete for exciting prizes’. Junior and regular levels. You can find details of Thinkquest Australia, however, which is still running.
  Back on line for 2011.
• Weballey
  ‘Web Publishing Made Easy’. Multiple HTML tutorials, web design articles, resources, web tools, more.
• Web Pages that Suck
  ‘Examples of Bad Web design Technique’. The Daily Sucker, archives, information. ‘The goal is to help you design effective and aesthetically pleasing web pages. My method is to show you bad design techniques so you’ll realise what they are and not use them’.
• Working with the Web
  ‘Provides a guide, recommendations, resources to support development of school policy and practices surrounding cyber safe and ethical use of the internet, management and use of the internet across the school including the school website, online legalities including digital copyright and online privacy, curriculum planning and the internet’.
• XML Files
  Everything from the basics to examples, XML DTD and XML DOM, links.

Multimedia Development

• Australian Centre for the Moving Image
  Their Education section has educational resources, study guides, information on education events, student and teacher programs.
• Flash Kit : A Flash Developer Resource Site
  Of particular value may be the tutorials [1 000+] found by scrolling down the menus on the right hand side.
• Media College
  ‘Free resource website providing educational and reference material in the field of electronic media. Topics include video & television production, audio work, still imagery & graphics, website design, more’. Quick Guides, Tutorials, charts, illustrations, utilities, references.
• Multimedia Tutorials
  A listing of the newest tutorials, then use the Categories Menu on the right to find other specific multimedia tutorials.

Robotics & Automated Systems

• AITopics : Robots
  Extensive listing of annotated links from Good Places to Start through news, articles and more.
• GoRobotics.net
  ‘My goal was to create the ultimate resource for amateur robotics, with a focus on getting beginners started’. Articles, searchable archives by month or categories.
• Learn About Robots
  ‘Learn about robots and robotics engineering. In most cases I give a small description of each individual robot or application. I encourage you to conduct your own research on any robots you find interesting’.
• LEGO Digital Designer
  ‘The program that lets you build with LEGO bricks on your computer. Learn more about LDD and how you get started by using our new tutorial movies’. Also check the LDraw page. This ‘is an open standard for LEGO CAD programs that allow the user to create virtual LEGO models and scenes’.
• Links to Other Sites
  Compilation of links by the University of Sydney for research and academic sites linked to robotics.
• Photonic Devices
  Magic or Physics ?. Australian Photonic CRC.
• Robotbox^®
  ‘Devoted to showcasing robots from hobbyists and professionals alike’. Directories for sport, Lego™, Beam, Research. Previously listed as Robot Directory.
• Robocup Junior
  Nationwide robotics initiative, information about robotics in Australia, including applications, generic modelling, extensive links to robotic information, sites in Australia and overseas.
• Robotics
  Etymology, history, components, control, research, education and training, employment, notes, bibliography, further reading, other links. From Wikipedia.
• Robotics in Australia
  ‘Groups and projects’. Includes name, place of groups, major topics, researchers, some of their projects.
• Robotics Online
  Primarily about industrial robotics. Newsletters, Ask the Experts, Beginner’s Guide, Industry trends, safety training, links.
• Robotics : Sensing, Thinking, Acting
  History and working of robots, Timeline, Robot art, Robotics and Ethics in the 21st Century, Control your own remotely operated vehicle [requires Shockwave]. Now archived but still available. A second site on the same topic can be found at Roboworld : The Robots > Sensing, Thinking, and Acting.
• Robotics Tutorial
  ExpertCore. 40 short videos ranging from an introduction through to robotics in the future.
• Robot Information Central
  Check the information on this site ! Quite breathtaking. Start with Robot FAQs, the chronology of robots, robot competitions, find robot toys. The sections simply continue.
  Excellent !
• Robots
  Home page of the IEEE Spectrum site. Access information on Robotics from the top menu. DIY to AI, Home robotics to Industrial, software. This site has information not restricted to this topic alone.
• Robots.net - Robot News
  ‘The latest news on robots, robot competitions, cognitive science, other cool stuff’.
  Highly Recommended !
• World Of Robotics Online
  As well as kits and other materials, they also have an education section and a quite extensive Links page that covers multiple areas.

Software Development & Programming

• KidBASIC
  ‘BASIC designed to teach young children the basics of computer programming. It’s a strictly line-oriented language, which helps kids easily see how program flow-control works. It has a built-in graphics mode which lets them draw pictures on screen in minutes and a set of detailed, easy-to-follow tutorials that introduce programming concepts through fun exercises’.
• Software Design & Development
  Quality links covering this, grouped under headings of Interface Design, Dataflow Diagrams, etc..
  Highly recommended.
• The Language Guide
  40 different programming languages from Ada to XML. Each looks at history, significant features, areas of application, samples, links, references.
• Web Developer Resource Index : Languages
  Well-annotated links to sources of information on programming languages of every possible kind.
• WebReference.com
  Newsletters [Free], information on specific programming languages, reference sources, coding tools, articles, more.
  Worth visiting.

Tutorials

• Good Tutorials
  [21 000+ tutorials listed]. IT areas from CSS and HTML to Photoshop and Ruby.
• Total Tutorials
  The home page with areas as diverse as specific programs like Photoshop to general areas such as animation, lighting, basics, more.
• Tutorialized
  Where Everything is a Tutorial. 2D/3D graphics, web development, video editing, operating systems, databases, more.

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