Glossary
The glossary draws on the NSW syllabus glossaries, the glossaries developed by the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority, and the Macquarie Dictionary.
Aboriginal Peoples are the first peoples of Australia and are represented by more than 250 language groups, each associated with a particular Country or territory. Torres Strait Islander Peoples are represented by 5 major island groups, and are associated with island territories to the north of Australia’s Cape York which were annexed by Queensland in 1879.
An Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person is someone who:
- is of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent
- identifies as an Aboriginal person and/or Torres Strait Islander person, and
- is accepted as such by the Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander community(ies) in which they live.
A recognised dialect of English which is the first, or home language, of many Aboriginal people. It differs from other dialects of English, such as Standard Australian English, in systematic ways including sounds, grammar, words and their meanings, and language use. Aboriginal English is a powerful vehicle for the expression of Aboriginal identity. Aboriginal English is not a target language study option for NSW Aboriginal Languages syllabuses.
Texts that describe landscapes and directions of the tracks forged in lands, waters and skies by Creator Spirits during the Dreaming.
In a measurement, half of the smallest unit of the measuring device. The smallest unit is called the precision of the device.
The process by which data and programs are defined with a representation similar in form to its meaning while hiding away the implementation details. Abstraction tries to temporarily ignore details so that the programmer can focus on a few concepts at a time. Algorithms must ultimately be broken down into simple instructions for a digital system to execute.
A manner of pronunciation of a language which marks speakers as belonging to identifiable categories such as geographical or ethnic origin, social group or generation.
The stress placed on the syllable.
Listen to, read and/or view texts to understand meaning.
Content for students with significant intellectual disability who are working towards the Early Stage 1 outcomes. Teachers can use the access content points on their own, or in combination with the content for each outcome.
The extent to which a system, environment or object may be used irrespective of a user’s capabilities or abilities. For example, the use of assistive technologies (AT) to allow people with disability to use computer systems, or the use of icons in place of words to allow young children to use a system.
A measurement result that is considered to be close to the true value.
An angle smaller than a right angle between 0° and 90°.
Has different meanings for different mathematical contexts. For example, adjacent vertices in a network are joined by an edge and adjacent faces in a solid have a common edge. In trigonometry, the adjacent side of a right-angled triangle is the side next to the angle to which the trigonometric ratio is referring.
Angles that share a vertex and an arm. They do not overlap.
Extended in 7–10: Two angles at a point are called adjacent if they share a common ray and a common vertex and lie on opposite sides of the common ray.
A type of dependent clause that operates as an adjective to give more information to a noun or pronoun in a sentence.
A group of words (usually beginning with a preposition) that gives more information about a noun.
Examples include:
- The girl with brown curly hair sat at the front.
- The flowers in the vase were wilting.
A word class that describes, identifies or quantifies a noun or a pronoun. Different types of adjectives include possessive, quantifying, descriptive, comparative, superlative and classifying.
A word that tells something about a verb, adjective or another adverb. Indicates things like manner, place or time. An adverb commonly ends in -ly.
A dependent clause that modifies a verb, adjective or another adverb. It includes words that provide information about the time, place, condition, reason, manner or purpose.
A group of words that provides information about where, when, with what, how far, how long, with whom, about what, as what:
Examples include:
- She swept the floor with an old broom.
- Throughout time people have attempted to halt old age.
Relating to a sense of beauty or an appreciation of artistic expression.
A fraction in which the numerator and/or the denominator are algebraic expressions.
A step-by-step procedure required to solve a problem. Algorithms may be presented in many ways, for example written instructions, flow charts or using a computer programming language.
In each diagram below, the 2 marked angles are called alternate angles (since they are on alternate sides of the transversal).
Identify components and the relationship between them; draw out and relate implications.
Grammar – a word or phrase that references an earlier word or phrase.
Rhetoric – the intentional repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of several clauses, sentences, stanzas or paragraphs.
Formed by 2 straight lines meeting at a common endpoint, called the vertex. An angle can describe the amount of turn between its 2 arms (lines).
The angle between horizontal and the line of sight from an observer to an object that is lower than the observer.
The angle between horizontal and the line of sight from an observer to an object that is higher than the observer.
A word or phrase that has the opposite meaning of another word or phrase.
A punctuation marker used to indicate possession or missing letters or numbers in a contracted expression.
A software program designed for a specific purpose to run on mobile devices or on a personal computer. An abbreviation of the word ‘application’.
An interface that allows an application or website to plug into another program or website.
Use, utilise, employ in a particular situation.
A noun or pronoun that is positioned beside another noun or pronoun to explain or identify it. An appositive often includes modifiers.
See modifier
Make a judgement about the value of.
Taking a text or component of a text (such as a character or plot) from one context and using it in another context.
A part of a circle’s circumference.
A stated position about an idea.
The way in which various dimensions of a text (such as theme, perspective and style) can be understood to represent a particular position on an issue.
An array is one of several different arrangements that can be used to model multiplicative situations involving whole numbers. It is made by arranging a set of objects, such as counters, into columns and rows. Each column must contain the same number of objects as the other columns, and each row must contain the same number of objects as the other rows.
Intelligence demonstrated by machines. Sometimes called machine intelligence.
Make a judgement of value, quality, outcomes, results or size.
Assets are the digital elements that can be used or incorporated into a multimedia presentation or production. They include graphics, photographs, videos, audio, animations or other artistic data.
A bound morpheme that is added before a base word and where its last letter changes to match the first letter of the base word.
For example, in + mature = immature.
A device or system whose primary purpose is to maintain or improve an individual's functioning and independence to facilitate participation and enhance overall wellbeing. This includes technologies specifically designed to meet an individual's needs, eg eye gaze technology, as well as more general technologies that can be used by anyone, eg speech-to-text applications. Assistive technology can also be referred to as inclusive technology.
A quality, feature or characteristic of an object or shape.
Readers, listeners or viewers who engage with a text.
An umbrella term that encompasses the communication methods used to supplement or replace speech or writing. AAC can be unaided, such as gestures, body language and sign language, or aided such as pictures, symbols, objects or speech generating devices.
See communication system
A technology that replicates, enhances or overlays extra information about the real-world environment, using computer-generated data such as global positioning systems (GPS), sound, videos and images. Common examples include a car windshield with a heads-up display (HUD) that projects 3-dimensional navigation information and virtual lanes, or a swimming telecast using a line to indicate the position of the record holder in relation to the actual swimmers in the race.
The language developed by and for Australians who are D/deaf or hard of hearing. It is a visual, gestural and spatial language that has its own grammar and vocabulary.
The use of ‘signs’ or ‘signing’ as a signed language is Auslan.
The process of transforming and manipulating data that does not require user intervention. For example, through the use of formulae in a spreadsheet, new sets of data can be processed and the results recalculated automatically, or a webcam can be turned on as a result of movement sensor input.
The fast, accurate and effortless word recognition that comes with practice. NESA acknowledges that reading aloud may include the use of Auslan, assistive technology or AACs.
A number expressing a central or typical value in a set of data. While it usually refers to the arithmetic mean, that is, the sum of a set of numbers divided by the number of numbers in the set, it may also refer to other measures of centre.
Information that is important for understanding a subject.
A technique used by inference engines that determines reasoning from the knowledge base to understand how a decision was made. In backward chaining, the goal or output is used to track back to establish the steps taken.
See forward chaining
Has different meanings for different mathematical contexts. A base is a number that is raised to a power and the base of a solid is the face the object rests on.
A morpheme (meaningful unit) that stands freely on its own to make a word.
See morpheme
A direction from one point on the Earth’s surface to another. Two types of bearings may be used: compass bearings and true bearings.
See compass bearing
See true bearing
Formal and mutually agreed terms for the ongoing, equitable distribution of benefits, arising from the application or commercial utilisation of knowledge, practices and/or resources. Benefit sharing agreements with Indigenous Peoples may relate to Indigenous cultural and intellectual property (ICIP), such as knowledges and practices associated with sustainable management of land and resources.
A systematic favouring of certain outcomes more than others, due to unfair influence (knowingly or otherwise).
Extremely large datasets that may be analysed computationally to reveal patterns, trends and associations.
The distribution of a set of data that has 2 modes. The term 'bimodal' is also used if the graph of the distribution has 2 distinct peak values, which may not be equal.
The capacity of nature/ecosystems to produce and renew the resources that people use and to absorb and filter the waste generated by human activities, within a limited period of time.
A variety of living organisms and ecosystems they form. Biodiversity has value through the provision of ecosystem services, and intrinsic value independent of its utility to humans.
A term that describes the source of data being human or biological.
Biological and physical elements of the environment. It includes various life forms, both plant and animal, and elements such as temperature, light, humidity and soil nutrients.
The atmospheric, biological, chemical and physical processes that take place in the lithosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere and biosphere, eg erosion, deposition, soil formation, nutrient cycling.
Data relating to measurement of 2 variables. It can be categorical data, numerical data or a combination of both.
A testing technique where there is no knowledge of the internal workings of an application. A user will provide inputs and observe the outputs in order to determine functionality of the program.
The act of synthesising phonemes smoothly from left to right, to read words.
A type of programming that uses colourful, draggable shapes that represent code. Blocks are arranged and connected to write programs.
A growing list of records, known as blocks, which are linked using cryptography. It can be used to record transactions between 2 parties efficiently and in a verifiable and permanent way.
A synonym for a box-and-whisker plot. A graphical display of a 5-number summary of data. The ‘box’ covers the middle 50% of scores. The ‘whiskers’ extend to the maximum and minimum values in the data set.
In a box plot, the 'box' covers the interquartile range (IQR). A vertical line in the box is used to indicate the location of the median.
The box plot below has been constructed from the 5-number summary of the resting pulse rates of 17 students.
An instruction in a computer program or algorithm that causes different actions to be performed depending on specified conditions.
Ascertain/determine from given facts, figures or information.
Generally refers to the amount a container can hold.
A term used to describe how much a container will hold. It is often used in relation to the volume of fluids. Units of capacity (volume of fluids or gases) include litres and millilitres.
See internal volume
Completely Automatic Public Turing Test to Tell Computers and Humans Apart
A system (named after French mathematician René Descartes) that describes the exact location of any point in a plane using an ordered pair of numbers, called coordinates. It is defined by the intersection of a horizontal and vertical number line at a point called the origin. The coordinates of the origin are (0, 0). Positions are represented by an ordered pair of real numbers (x, y). Also known as the rectangular coordinate system, or Cartesian plane.
Accepted practices associated with constructing and interpreting maps: eg using a border, orientation or compass point, legend or key, title, scale, giving latitude readings before longitude.
A variable whose values belong to exactly one of a number of categories. A categorical variable describes a quality or characteristic of something. Sometimes called a discrete variable. There are 2 types of categorical variables: nominal and ordinal. For example, your home state or blood type are categorical variables.
Two variables with a relationship which indicates that one event is the result of the occurrence of the other event.
A word or groups of words used as a cohesive device between sentences, when explaining how something works or why something happens.
A possibility of something happening.
The concept of change involves both time and space. Places, environments and geographical phenomena can often be best understood by investigating how they have developed over time periods ranging from a few years to thousands of years. This is important in helping students to understand what is happening around them and to see their world as dynamic.
A person (or animal) created in a text (usually narrative) to represent human characteristics including physical, emotional and intellectual characteristics, habits and behaviour.
The technical construction and representation of any personality or person-like figure in text, including features such as their appearance, actions, words or thoughts.
A line segment (interval) joining 2 points on a circle.
All points equal to a given distance from a fixed point, the centre. When used to describe a shape, a circle includes all points inside the boundary.
A path that begins and ends on the same vertex. Vertices can be repeated.
Make clear or plain.
Classical Languages are any language with an independent literary tradition and a large and ancient body of written literature. They are no longer spoken as a first language.
Arrange or include in classes/categories.
A dependent clause (also known as subordinate clause) is a group of words that cannot stand alone as a sentence.
A main clause (also known as principal or independent clause) is a clause that can stand alone as a complete sentence.
See adjectival clause
See adverbial clause
The average types of weather, including seasonal variations, experienced by a place or region over a long period of time.
A long-term change in regional or global climate patterns, eg annual precipitation, frequency of weather events.
A shape enclosed by all its sides with no gaps.
Distributing computing over a network where storage of files, processing of data and/or access to software occurs automatically on interconnected server computers to which the user’s device is connected. The term refers to accessing files, software and services over the internet.
A pair of angles that lie between a pair of parallel lines cut by a transversal and have a sum of 180 degrees or 2 right angles.
In each diagram the 2 marked angles are called co-interior angles.
If the 2 lines are parallel, then co-interior angles add to give 180° and so are supplementary.
Conversely, if a pair of angles are supplementary, then the lines are parallel.
Agreed systems of making, communicating and interpreting meaning.
A word which is directly related in origin to another; cognates have similar spellings and meanings.
The use of a range of language features to link parts of a signed text to make it easy to follow and understand referents in the text.
Words or phrases that indicate a relationship with other words, phrases, clauses or paragraphs across a text.
Working with others towards a shared goal, through a variety of modes of communication. This may be achieved using a range of technologies, tools and processes.
Describes points that lie on the same straight line.
A process by which a different system of government is established by one nation over another group of peoples. It involves the colonial power asserting and enforcing its sovereignty or right to govern according to its own laws rather than by laws of the colonised.
The various ways a group of items can be arranged without regard to order.
A punctuation marker used to show separation between parts of a sentence, such as clauses or phrases, where separation is important to the meaning. Commas are also used to separate words, phrases or numbers in a series.
The sum or percentage paid for services, for example to an agent or salesperson.
A factor of each element of a set of numbers or an algebraic expression. Also known as common divisor.
The purposeful interpretation and expression of meaning.
The ways people communicate and the communicative behaviours they use. Communication forms can be non-symbolic and/or symbolic. Non-symbolic forms include sounds, gestures, facial expressions and eye movements. Symbolic forms can be aided or non-aided. Aided forms of symbolic communication include objects, symbols, photographs and drawings. Aided forms can be digital. Non-aided forms of symbolic communication include formal gestures; speech; and signs, such as Key Word Sign.
The range of communication forms used by a person. Communication systems are specifically designed to meet people’s individual needs.
The reason for which the text is created; the context, purpose and audience enables meaningful communication.
Community(ies) is about interrelatedness and is central to shared conceptions of belonging. Aboriginal Peoples may belong to more than one community. Important elements of community are identification with Country or location, family ties and shared experience.
See local Aboriginal community
Commutative property of addition or multiplication means that two numbers can be added or multiplied in any order and the solution will be the same.
Commutative law, commutativity and turn-around facts are interchangeable terms.
Show how things are similar or different.
Angles either side of north or south. For example, a compass bearing of N50°E is found by facing north and moving through an angle of 50° to the east.
Formed by adding one or more dependent (subordinate) clauses to a main (independent) clause using subordinating conjunctions and/or relative pronouns.
Develop and/or produce signed, spoken, written or multimodal texts in print, visual, oral or digital forms.
See create
A non-zero natural number that has a factor other than 1 and itself. For example, all even numbers besides 2 are composite numbers. Some odd numbers are composite (for example, 21) but not all are composite (for example, 11).
A shape that is formed by combining other plane shapes. Composite shapes are often described as 'complex' when they are made up of many and different shapes.
The interest earned by investing a sum of money (the principal) when each successive interest payment is added to the principal for calculating the next interest payment.
A sentence comprising 2 or more independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction.
A word consisting of 2 or more base words.
For example, farmyard = farm + yard.
A process in which a problem is analysed and solved so that a human, machine or computer can effectively implement the solution. It involves using strategies to organise data logically, break down problems into parts, interpret patterns and design, and implement algorithms to solve problems.
A cohesive device that describes the condition that needs to be met for something to happen. This may be in the form of a word (if) or phrase (in addition).
Consideration of whether the knowledge of the occurrence of one event, A, affects the probability of occurrence of another event, B.
An exact match between every part of one figure with the corresponding part of another figure, ie congruent figures can be exactly superimposed on each other.
In the Cartesian plane, 2 points are connected if there is a line or curve that joins them. In a network, a set of points is connected if every point can be reached from another point. A set of points that is not connected is called disconnected.
Examples of a connected network and a disconnected network respectively are shown below:
The nuances or implied meaning attached to language, beyond that of its literal or dictionary meanings. Connotations may be positive, negative, or neutral.
Not created or destroyed.
Two consonant graphemes used to represent one phoneme.
Examples include:
- th in that
- sh in shy
- kn in knee.
A speech sound produced with a complete or partial obstruction of the flow of air by the teeth, lips, tongue and/or voice.
Constant difference refers to a common difference between pairs of numbers. For example:
- the difference between 3 and 7 is 4, and another pair of numbers that has a difference of 4 is 2 and 6.
Make; build; put together items or arguments.
The involvement of representatives from the relevant Aboriginal community(ies) in the planning, appropriate implementation and assessment of the syllabus. To pursue the idea of teaching an Aboriginal Language, a wide range of local Aboriginal organisations should be approached in person. To ensure that all owners and custodians are reached, the consultation process should be ongoing and will take time.
Objects such as bottles, jars and tubs.
An environment or situation (social, cultural or historical) in which a text is responded to or created. Or wording surrounding an unfamiliar word, which a reader or listener uses to understand its meaning.
The range of personal, situational, social, historical and cultural circumstances that shape how texts and their representations are conceived, constructed, understood and interpreted.
The effect of land mass on climatic conditions/patterns.
A numerical variable that can take any value that lies within an interval. The values taken are subject to the accuracy of the measuring instrument used to obtain these values.
For example, height, reaction time to a stimulus, and systolic blood pressure.
A shortened form of one or 2 words (one of which is usually a verb). In a contraction, an apostrophe takes the place of the missing letter or letters.
Show how things are different or opposite.
Accepted practices or features that help define textual forms and meaning.
A set of values that define the position of a point or an object in a space. The coordinate system being used will govern the nature of the coordinates.
A word or group of words that function to link two independent clauses within a sentence.
The protection provided to the creators of original works and makers of sound recordings and films, that offers a legal framework for the control and reproduction or transmission of their literary, dramatic, artistic or musical works.
Angles that lie in the same relative position at the points of intersection where a pair of lines is cut by a transversal.
If the lines are parallel, then each pair of corresponding angles is equal.
Conversely, if a pair of corresponding angles is equal, then the lines are parallel.
Country is used to describe a specific area of a nation or clan including physical, linguistic and spiritual features. Aboriginal communities’ cultural associations with their Country may include or relate to languages, cultural practices, knowledge, songs, stories, art, paths, landforms, flora, fauna and minerals. These cultural associations may include custodial relationships with particular landscapes such as land, sea, sky, rivers as well as the intangible places associated with the Dreaming(s). Custodial relationships are extremely important in determining who may have the capacity to authentically speak for their Country.
Place is a space mapped out by physical or intangible boundaries that individuals or groups of Torres Strait Islander Peoples occupy and regard as their own. It is a space with varying degrees of spirituality.
Develop and/or produce signed, spoken, written or multimodal texts in print, visual, oral or digital forms.
See compose
Is a non-profit organisation that enables the sharing of creative content without the need to seek legal approval.
See copyright
Add a degree or level of accuracy, depth, knowledge and understanding, logic, questioning, reflection and quality to (analyse/evaluate).
The intersection of a solid with a plane. May differ for a given solid depending on the orientation of the slicing plane. For example, the cross-section of a sphere will be a circle (of different radius depending on the slicing plane), while the cross-section of a cube could be a square or other polygon (eg triangle, hexagon) depending on the orientation of the slicing plane.
An object with 6 equal square faces and 12 edges.
Having the form of a cube or being of the third power or degree.
Sources of information used to facilitate comprehension of language that may be visual, grammatical, gestural or contextual.
The customs, habits, beliefs/spirituality, social organisation and ways of life that characterise different groups and communities. Cultural characteristics give a group or individual a sense of who they are and help them make sense of the world in which they live. Culture is a shared system but inherently diverse – there can be individual and group differences within cultures. Everyone has culture – it is a lens through which we see the world.
A one-dimensional figure that is not straight.
Surface of an object that is not flat, eg a cylinder has one curved surface.
In Aboriginal communities, an individual charged with maintaining and passing on particular elements of cultural significance, eg language, stories, songs, rituals and imagery.
See owners
Relating to customs or practices associated with a particular culture, society, place or set of circumstances. Similar to the term 'traditional', 'customary' is used in reference to aspects of Aboriginal cultures in pre-invasion contexts.
See traditional
Words formed by a consonant-vowel-consonant.
For example, cat, bag, pen.
A term that refers to behaviour and the precautions that may be exercised when providing personal information in an online or digital environment.
The protection of information technology elements, including hardware and software, data or network services.
A trail that finishes on the vertex it begins on. No vertex is repeated.
A quadrilateral with every vertex (corner point) on a circle’s circumference.
An object that has parallel circular discs of equal radius at the ends that are joined by a curved surface.
Facts or units of information collected together.
A discrete representation of information using number codes. Data may include characters (eg alphabetic letters, numbers and symbols), images, sounds and/or instructions that, when represented by number codes, can be manipulated, stored and communicated by digital systems. For example, characters may be represented using ASCII code or images may be represented by a bitmap of numbers representing each ‘dot’ or pixel.
A reduction in the number of bits needed to represent data.
The practice of analysing a subset of a larger dataset in order to determine meaningful information such as patterns and trends.
This is a global movement that refers to the right of Indigenous Peoples to determine the creation, collection, ownership and application of data that is for and about Indigenous Peoples. The term also refers to transnational data flow and a range of issues arising from the flow of data between nations.
Data types used in computing are expressed as either:
- string/text
- character
- integer
- floating point or real
- date and time
- Boolean.
A collection of data organised by records and fields that can be easily stored, accessed, managed and updated.
A collection of data combined for a specific purpose.
A collection of numbers or values relating to a particular subject. Datasets are normally presented in tables or represented by graphs. For example, the test scores of each student in a particular class.
The physical condition of having hearing loss. People who identify as 'deaf' may not have a strong connection with the Deaf community and may prefer to communicate with speech.
A cultural identity for people with hearing loss who share a common culture and who usually have a shared sign language.
Used to describe aspects of the base-10 number system. The decimal point (. or ,) separates the whole number part of a number from its decimal part.
A statement presented as a complete sentence to provide fact, evidence or detail.
For example:
- Drinking water is important for your health.
The inflection of nouns, and of words similarly inflected, for categories such as case and number.
Texts that are made up of grapheme–phoneme correspondences (GPCs) that students have learnt. These texts are used by beginning readers to practise segmenting and blending skills to read words, quickly and effortlessly.
See automaticity
A process of efficient word recognition in which readers use knowledge of the relationship between letters (graphemes) and sounds (phonemes) to work out how to say and read written words.
To break a complex problem or solution into parts that are easier to understand, design and implement.
State meaning and identify essential qualities.
The clearing of trees from land to allow for other uses.
The degree of a vertex is the number of edge ends at that vertex.
A model consisting of various stages used to show population change over time, including the influence of birth rates and death rates.
Show by example.
Comes from Latin, meaning ‘that which gives a name’ [de- “completely”; nomen “name”]. The denominator of a fraction identifies the name of the fractional parts (eg thirds, quarters or fifths).
An event that relies on another event to happen first. One event influences the probability of another event.
The variable used to represent the output values of a function. A dependent variable is generally represented on the vertical axis of a graph.
A decrease in value due to wear and tear, decay, decline in price etc.
A word which is formed from or based on another word.
A new word that is formed from another word, usually by adding a derivational suffix to change its grammatical form.
For example, the noun, proposition, derives from the verb, propose, and contains the derivational suffix, -ion.
Provide characteristics and features.
A process that typically involves identifying and defining, researching and planning, producing and implementing, and testing and evaluating to create a designed solution that considers social, cultural and environmental factors.
A process where a need or opportunity is identified and a design solution is developed. The consideration of economic, environmental and social impacts that result from designed solutions are core to design thinking. Design thinking methods can be used when trying to understand a problem, generate ideas and refine a design based on evaluation and testing.
A method used by a human to check the logic of a computer program's algorithm to reduce the likelihood of errors occurring. This may be done on paper, using a diagram, or mentally trying a sample of typical inputs to see what the outputs would be.
A variant of a language that is characteristic of a region or social group.
A conversation between 2 or more people; the conversation between characters in a text; an exchange of ideas or opinions on a particular issue; or, a literary work in the form of a conversation.
A chord passing through the centre of a circle. The word is also used for the length of the diameter.
The difference of two numbers is the result of subtracting one from the other. You can use subtraction or addition to find the difference between two numbers. For example:
To find the difference between 15 and 21, you can:
- add 5 up from 15 to get to 20, then add one more to get to 21, so the difference is 6
- start with 21 and count back to find the difference of 6.
An acceptance and upholding of the norms of appropriate, responsible behaviour with regard to the use of digital technologies. This involves using digital technologies effectively and not misusing them to disadvantage others. Digital citizenship includes appropriate online etiquette, literacy in how digital technologies work and how to use them, an understanding of ethics and related law, knowing how to stay safe online, and advice on related health and safety issues such as predators and the permanence of data.
Traces of data left behind by a person using a digital system. A person’s digital footprint includes all information actively provided by that person, such as interactions on social networks, online purchases, emails and instant messages. It also includes passive information, such as logs of software installed and used on a computer, metadata associated with files, a user’s internet protocol (IP) address, a device being used to access a webpage, and a user’s browsing history stored as cookies or by internet service providers.
The use of user-interface design elements to affect the choices of users in digital environments.
Refers to electronic tools, systems, devices and resources that generate, process or store data, and may include applications, games, microcontrollers, mobile devices, multimedia, networks, robotics.
An audio, visual or multimodal text produced by electronic technology. A digital text may be interactive and include still and/or dynamic images, animations and/or hyperlinks.
Two graphemes used to represent one phoneme.
Examples include:
- consonant digraphs – sh, ck, th
- split digraphs – a-e, i-e, o-e
- vowel digraphs – ee, oo, ea.
A type of vowel phoneme, also known as a glide vowel, formed by combining 2 vowel sounds within a single syllable.
For example, /oi/ in ‘join’, /ou/ in ‘proud’.
A proportional relationship where one quantity directly varies with respect to a change in another quantity. This implies that if there is an increase (or decrease) in one quantity then the other quantity will experience a proportionate increase (or decrease).
An umbrella term for any or all of the following components:
- impairments: challenges in body function or structure
- activity limitations: difficulties in executing activities
- participation restrictions: challenges an individual may experience in involvement in life situations. (World Health Organization)
Individual and countable items that can be listed.
Texts whose primary focus is to explore an idea or variety of topics. These texts involve the discussion of an idea(s) or opinion(s) without the direct intention of persuading the reader, listener or viewer to adopt any single point of view.
Identify issues and provide points for and/or against.
The spread of data which can be shown graphically or in a table.
Differences that exist within a group, for example, age, sex, gender, gender expression, sexuality, ethnicity, ability/disability, body shape and composition, culture, religion/spirituality, learning differences, socioeconomic background, values and experiences.
In a geographic context, diversity refers to variations within and between places, environments, natural or human phenomena, for example in relation to biophysical characteristics, culture, religion, settlement, economic activity.
Two of the same consecutive letters. Also referred to as a consonant doublet.
Doubling and halving is a strategy that can make solving multiplication problems easier, eg solving 4 x 12 is the same as solving 2 x 24.
Doubling and halving is also a strategy used to find factors of a number. For example:
- to find the factors of 24, start with 1 x 24 then double and halve, 2 x 12, 4 x 6, 8 x 3.
The Dreaming has different meanings for different Aboriginal groups. The Dreaming can be seen as the embodiment of Aboriginal creation which gives meaning to everything; the essence of Aboriginal beliefs about creation and spiritual and physical existence. It establishes the rules governing relationships between the people, the land and all things for Aboriginal Peoples. The Dreaming is linked to the past, the present and the future. Where appropriate, refer to Aboriginal names for the Dreaming.
In the context of Geography 11–12, when an ecosystem is able to maintain its natural balance and remain relatively stable, subject to gradual changes through natural succession. An ecosystem that is in a state of dynamic equilibrium is able to return to its balanced state in response to natural and/or human stresses.
Temporary changes or events in an ecosystem that cause disturbance to its functioning, eg increased mortality of organisms, changes in spatial patterning. Ecosystems are typically resilient to ecological disturbance.
A biological hazard that has the potential to impact adversely on the wellbeing of people or the environment more generally. Examples of ecological hazards include malaria, coronavirus, Dengue fever, rabies, cholera, locust plagues, invasive species.
The ability of an ecosystem to support and naturally maintain ecological processes, species, a diverse community of organisms, and other important characteristics, with minimal or no intervention through human management.
In a languages context, ecology is used to describe the view that languages can be studied as living entities that are interrelated and that relate to their environments.
The production, distribution or consumption of goods or services at all levels of society.
The process by which places become increasingly linked and interdependent economically. This involves the reduction or elimination of the barriers to the flow of goods, services and factors of production between places and nations.
A system formed by the interaction of all living organisms (plants, animals, humans) with each other and with the physical elements of the environment in which they live.
While an ecosystem may be synonymous with a specific environment, the ‘system’ approach enables a focus on the various components and their interconnected nature.
The line segment formed by the intersection of two faces of a polyhedron, eg a cube has 6 faces and 12 edges.
A line which joins vertices to each other in a network diagram.
A computing framework that allows for the distribution of processing capabilities and hardware so that applications can be closer to their data source.
The custodians of knowledge and lore. They are chosen and accepted by their own communities as people who have the permission to disclose cultural knowledge and beliefs. Recognised Elders are highly respected people within Aboriginal communities. Proper consultation with local Aboriginal communities will often direct schools to recognised Elders.
Spell words in their visible written form.
A process in cryptography of encoding (converting) data, using mathematical formulas, into a form that only an intended recipient can decode, often including a personal digital signature.
A scaling of a figure in which the corresponding lengths in the transformed figure are increased or decreased in proportion to the original figure. The 2 figures are similar.
An activity that produces goods and/or services. Enterprises are run for the benefit of an individual or a group of individuals. They can range in scale from a transnational corporation to home-based economic activities.
Refers to business-oriented information technology that is critical to a company’s operations. Enterprise computing encompasses types of information technology tools that businesses use for resource management, efficient production operations, relationship management and back office support.
The combination of digital systems, people and processes that collect, manage and analyse data.
The living and non-living elements of the Earth’s surface and atmosphere. Where unqualified, it includes human changes to the Earth’s surface, eg croplands, planted forests, buildings and roads.
A balance where the distance from the support point (middle) to the arms at each end is equal.
In mathematics, the equals sign is used to indicate equivalence, eg 5 + 1 = 2 + 4 and to show that two or more amounts have the same value.
See equivalent
When the angles of one polygon are equal to the corresponding angles of another polygon.
Two things are equivalent if they have the same value.
See equals sign
The application of fundamental ethical principles when undertaking research and collecting information, eg confidentiality, informed consent, citation and integrity of data. This includes, but is not limited to:
- respecting confidentiality and anonymity
- avoiding use of deception or misleading information
- preventing physical and/or emotional risk or harm
- obtaining permission to access private property or restricted areas
- minimising damage to the natural environment
- observing referencing conventions to avoid plagiarism
- storing data appropriately, eg securely, depersonalising data collected
- acknowledging the provenance of sources, eg information, data, visual materials.
The origins of, and changes to, words in relation to meaning.
Words derived from earlier or other languages, place names, words derived from people's names, coinages.
Make a judgement based on criteria; determine the value of.
Inquire into.
A statement expressing a strong emotion, formed as a complete sentence, and often ending with an exclamation mark.
An extended group of words that provide rich or detailed information about the noun.
A main verb that is preceded by one or more auxiliary or modal verbs to provide detail or precision.
A computer program that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to solve complex problems and emulate the decision-making ability of a human expert.
Relate cause and effect; make the relationships between things evident; provide why and/or how.
The vowel and consonant phonemes which are represented by less frequently occurring and alternative spellings.
Occurs when the fitted model such as a line of best fit is used to make predictions using values that are outside the range of the original data upon which the fitted model was based.
A flat surface of a 3-dimensional geometric object (polyhedron) with only straight edges.
A bounded region in a network.
A number which divides another number without a remainder. For example, 1, 2, 3 and 6 are factors of 6 but 4 and 5 are not.
Feedback loops are reactions in response to environmental change. Positive feedback loops cause one or more components to increase overall, creating a negative impact on the ecosystem. A negative feedback loop has a positive impact on the ecosystem because it decreases the impact of change, bringing it closer to dynamic equilibrium.
Word groups/phrases used differently from the expected or everyday usage to express an idea in a non-literal way for a particular effect.
Is the software that is installed on a small chip in almost all hardware devices that makes the hardware function as the manufacturer intended it to.
The first language(s) that a person learns to speak.
A method for summarising a dataset using 5 statistics: the minimum value, the lower quartile, the median, the upper quartile and the maximum value.
Reading, speaking, encoding and spelling with appropriate pace and accuracy.
The act of identifying words accurately, effortlessly, at a contextually appropriate rate, and with phrasing and expression that reflects the meaning of the passage.
Words or expressions which are commonly used in fixed patterns and learnt as such without grammatical analysis.
For example:
- Once upon a time (story-starter)
A technique used by inference engines that applies reasoning to the knowledge base to get the information to make a decision. In forward chaining, the inference engine evaluates existing data to develop new data to make a decision.
See backward chaining
The result of a division. For example, 2 divided by 4 produces quarters. Fractions also represent:
- a relationship or ratio
- parts when a whole is partitioned into equal parts
- numbers between whole numbers
- units of measure.
The number of times that a particular value occurs in a data set. For grouped data, it is the number of observations that lie in that group or class interval. For example, when rolling a dice 20 times, ‘the frequency of a 6’ means how many times the number 6 comes up.
A visual display that organises and presents frequency counts of scores so that the information can be interpreted more easily.
Frequency distributions can be displayed in tabular or graphical form.
A punctuation marker used to indicate the end of a sentence that is a statement or command.
A term used in programming to describe a self-contained sequence of instructions that performs a specific task or tasks and is designed to be able to be reused throughout the program. Functions often accept some kind of input, perform some process on that input, and return a result that can be used by other parts of a program. Most programming languages allow for user-defined functions, but will also provide pre-defined functions.
The total value of an investment or annuity at the end of a specified term, including all contributions and interest earned.
The adjustment of a task using digital technologies into a computer game in an attempt to make it more appealing.
A coding or programming language used to write computer software. It uses letters, numbers and symbols arranged in a prescribed format (language) to instruct a computer how to carry out specific tasks. Also known as text-based programming.
The categories into which texts are grouped based on similarities in premise, structure and function. The ‘genre’ of a text describes larger recurring patterns of subject matter and textual structures observable between texts, such as typical plots, characters and setting.
‘Genre’ can also describe categories of form and structure in texts.
A region exhibits shared natural or human characteristics, eg political, economic, social, cultural, climate, land/water cover, vegetation, that distinguishes the region from neighbouring regions. Regions can be divisions of a nation, or larger than a nation.
The tools and skills associated with the discipline of geography that geographers use to develop their understanding of places, environments, and geographical phenomena.
The physical and human processes that form and transform the world, eg the water cycle, erosion, migration and urbanisation. Geographical processes can work in combination and operate within and between places.
Relating to the form of the landscape and other features on the Earth’s surface.
Natural processes that transform the lithosphere to create distinctive landscapes and landforms, eg erosion, weathering, tectonic activity.
Politics and international relations as influenced by geographical factors, eg related to space, place and environment.
A nonverbal form of communication using movement of part of the body, such as a hand or the head, to express a message.
Succinct thoughts and information that capture the generalisations gleaned from what has been read, heard or viewed.
The spatial distribution of geographical phenomena throughout the world, for example population, megacities and earthquake hazards.
A description of a language’s system, in regard to both structure (form) and meaning (function), at the level of a word, sentence and/or text.
The smallest unit of writing used to represent one phoneme. A letter or combination of letters corresponding to or representing a single phoneme.
Examples include:
- the f in frog
- the ph in phone
- the gh in cough
The relationship between phoneme and its written alphabetic symbol (grapheme).
The Gregorian calendar is the most widely used solar dating calendar. It was introduced in 1582 as a modification of the Julian calendar.
A testing technique where there is a partial knowledge of the internal workings of an application. Its purpose is to search for defects related to improper code structure or the improper use of functions. This technique gives the ability to test both the code and the presentation layer of an application.
Note: grey box testing and gray box testing mean the same
Grouping (quotitive) division requires finding how many groups are formed, eg if I have 12 marbles and each child gets 4, how many children will get marbles?
When grouping, the quotient represents the number of groups within the shared quantity.
The held position of the hand and fingers in producing a particular sign.
Refers to the sense of touch. Often used to describe a method of output from a device that can be measured by feel or touch.
The collection of physical components that constitute a computer system, all of which are tangible objects. Hardware includes both internal and external components of the system, as well as any peripheral devices that can be connected.
When the forces of nature combine to become destructive and have potential to damage the environment and endanger communities.
A common unit of land measure in the metric system, equal to 100 acres, or 10 000 square metres (approximately 2.47 acres).
Testing the weight of an object by lifting and/or balancing it.
Half of a sphere.
Words that appear often in written texts.
The common divisor of a given set of natural numbers that is greater than each of the other common divisors. For example, 1, 2, 3 and 6 are common factors of 24, 54, and 66, and 6 is the highest common factor.
A language acquired and used in the home or community.
A word having the same sound and the same spelling as another, but a different meaning.
A word having the same sound as another but different spelling and meaning.
Hypertext mark-up language (html) is one of the first coding systems (or languages) designed to be used for webpage files so that an internet browser can efficiently display a page and elements for that page such as text, links and media in the intended position.
Hypertext transfer protocol (http) is a set of rules or standards for transferring files and messages on the World Wide Web, specifically to allow linking of files and text (see file transfer protocol). It provides a standard for web browsers to render pages (that is, to present them in an intended form) and servers to communicate.
Variations in how people use the places and spaces they occupy, including the nature of their settlements, economies, cultures and societies.
The quality of life of a population; eg access to opportunities, healthcare, education, infrastructure, a clean environment.
Composite texts resulting from combining elements from different genres, styles and modes.
An exaggerated statement not intended to be taken literally; may be used as a rhetorical device or figure of speech.
A hyperlink is a text, image, frame or button that when clicked or tapped will open another webpage, website, image, sound, document or application, such as email. Hyperlinks are often used within documents to link to other pages or sections.
Used at the end of a line, to break a word between syllables or morphemes.
The longest side in a right-angled triangle which is opposite the right angle.
A supposition or proposed explanation made on the basis of limited evidence as a starting point for further investigation.
Recognise and name.
A person’s conception and expression of individuality or group affiliation, self-concept and self-representation. It is closely connected to culture and language.
A commonly used phrase or expression, usually figurative or non-literal, that has an understood meaning specific to a language or dialect.
For example, over the moon, half asleep, pull your socks up.
Use of figurative language to represent objects, characters, actions or ideas in such a way that they appeal to the senses of the reader or viewer.
Texts that represent ideas, feelings and mental images in words or visual images. Imaginative texts entertain or provoke thought through their creative use of literary elements and make connections between ideas and experiences.
A complete sentence conveying a direct command, request, invitation, warning or instruction, typically directed to an implied person.
Two events are independent if knowing the outcome of one event tells us nothing about the outcome of the other event.
A variable used to represent the input values of the function. Generally represented on the horizontal axis of a graph.
Also called ‘exponent’. The power to which a number or algebraic expression is to be raised. The index or exponent is written as a superscript. Positive integral exponents indicate the number of times a term is to be multiplied by itself.
The plural of the term index.
An internationally recognised term for the first peoples of a land. In NSW the term Aboriginal person/Peoples is preferred.
See Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples
Includes, but is not limited to, objects, sites, cultural knowledge, cultural expression and the arts, that have been transmitted or continue to be transmitted through generations as belonging to a particular Indigenous group or Indigenous people as a whole or their territory.
See intellectual property
A conclusion reached on the basis of evidence and reasoning.
Local inferencing requires the reader to comprehend implied information from within relatively small sections of text, such as 2 adjacent sentences.
Global inferencing requires the reader to comprehend implied information from across relatively larger sections of text and is supported by the reader’s depth of vocabulary and background knowledge.
A word form that marks a distinction in tense (jump-jumps-jumping-jumped), plurality (cat-cats), and comparatives and superlatives (big-bigger-biggest).
See suffix
A chart, diagram or illustration (as in a book or magazine or on a website) that uses graphic elements to present information in a visually striking way.
Areas where housing or shelter is constructed on land where the occupants either have no legal claim, occupy illegally and/or are not in compliance with planning and building regulations. These settlements typically lack provision of amenities and services.
The science of processing data for storage and retrieval.
The presentation of data in a manner that is readily understood.
The combination of digital systems, people and processes that collect, manage and analyse data.
Texts whose primary purpose is to provide information through explanation, description, argument, analysis, ordering and presentation of evidence and procedures.
Landscapes that stimulate emotional responses based on aesthetic elements, eg their dramatic physical form, vibrant colour, arrangement of physical features, diversity of plant species. An inspirational landscape may be experienced directly or through soundscapes and tactile representations, eg physical models.
A whole number, positive, negative or zero eg -3, -2, -1, 0, 1, 2 …
Non-material assets such as forms of cultural expression that belong to a particular individual or community. Intellectual property rights refer to the rights that the law grants to individuals for the protection of creative, intellectual, scientific and industrial activity, such as inventions.
See Indigenous cultural and intellectual property (ICIP), and copyright
A collective term for enterprise-based information systems that have the capacity to gather and/or analyse data and communicate with other systems, learn and produce targeted output to respond to the world around them.
The use of digital technologies to present combinations of text, graphics, video, animation and/or sound in an integrated way. Examples include interactive games, media-rich websites and electronic books (eBooks).
Where there is facility for a user to interact with multimedia, the term ‘interactive media’ may be used. The use of digital technologies to present combinations of text, graphics, video, animation and/or sound in an integrated way. Examples include interactive games, media-rich websites and electronic books (e-books).
The concept of interconnection emphasises that no object of geographical study can be viewed in isolation. It is about the ways that geographical phenomena are connected to each other through environmental processes, the movement of people, flows of trade and investment, the purchase of goods and services, cultural influences, the exchange of ideas and information, political power and international agreements. Interconnections can be complex, reciprocal or interdependent, and have a strong influence on the characteristics of places. An understanding of the significance of interconnection leads to holistic thinking and helps students to see the various aspects of Geography as connected rather than separate bodies of knowledge.
A capacity to understand the relationship between language, culture and people with diverse backgrounds and experiences. This involves understanding the dynamic and interdependent nature of both language and culture, that communicating and interacting in different languages involves interacting with values, beliefs and experiences as well as with words and grammars. It involves being open to differing perspectives, being, responsive and reflective; being able to de-centre, to look objectively at one’s own cultural ways of thinking and behaving, and at how these affect attitudes to others, shape assumptions and shape behaviours.
When referring to polygons, the inner angles formed by 2 adjacent sides.
When referring to a transversal cutting through a pair of straight lines, the 4 angles formed are called interior angles.
A measure of how much a container can hold.
The internet of me (IoMe) loosely refers to technology which connects our minds and bodies with the online world. It transforms our biological and cognitive life into streams of data which can be monitored, shared and shaped.
Internet of Things (IoT) encompasses smart devices and smart objects that send and receive information using the internet and communication infrastructure.
Contextually purposeful language resources used for interacting; expressing ideas, opinions and feelings; and/or for taking a stance.
Making predictions between known data values. For example, working between 2 known points on a graph to predict a value in between these points.
Draw meaning from.
The act of translation from one language to another, the process of understanding and explaining.
The ability to conceive significance and construct meaning, and to explain to self or others.
The IQR is the width of an interval that contains the middle 50% (approximately) of the data values.
A sentence that asks a direct or indirect question.
The various ways in which texts may be understood to draw meaning from one another, either by explicit, implied or inferred reference.
A continuous subset of the real number line. For example, ‘the set of all real numbers greater than or equal to 10’.
The pattern or melody of pitch changes in connected speech, especially the pitch pattern of a sentence.
The operation that reverses the effect of another operation.
Examples:
- Addition and subtraction are inverse operations. When you add 3 to 7 you get 10. If you then subtract 3, you get back to 7.
- Multiplication and division are inverse operations. When you multiply 6 by 2 you get 12. If you then divide by 2 you get back to 6.
Plan, inquire into and draw conclusions about.
A noun that indicates more than one thing without requiring a plural marking suffix, -s or -es.
Mouse is a singular noun and mice is an irregular noun.
A repetition of a process in computer programming where each repeated cycle builds towards a desired result.
A mental calculation method that involves jumping from one number (usually the largest number) either forwards (addition) or backwards (subtraction) to the solution.
Support an argument or conclusion.
A communication strategy that incorporates signing with speech. It is used to support language development for people with communication difficulties. Although Key Word Sign uses a simplified form of manual signing, it is different to Auslan, as it is not a signed language.
A key aspect of Aboriginal cultures and values. It includes the importance of all relationships and of being related to and belonging to the land.
The natural and artificial features and structures that cover the land’s surface, eg trees, grass, crops, wetlands, water, ice, buildings and pavement.
A structured system of communication. The structure of a language is its grammar and the free components are its vocabulary. Languages are the primary means of communication of humans, and can be conveyed through speech (spoken language), sign or writing.
A type of language program that develops an understanding of the forms of a language rather than the capacity to use it to communicate. For Aboriginal Languages, this program typically occurs in locations where historical language loss is extreme and few tangible records have survived.
An Aboriginal community identified with a common language, both verbal and nonverbal, and with a particular territory. Used in preference to the term ‘tribe’.
Situation where a speaker, group of speakers or community of speakers continue to use their language despite competition with a dominant or majority language.
A type of language program in which engagement with the target language is largely through records that document the practices of speakers of previous generations.
A type of language program in which the target language is known and used by a community in part rather than in its entirety or ‘right through’.
A type of language program in which the goal is to encourage younger speakers to use the target language as fluently as older speakers.
The process and range of strategies for increasing knowledge and use of a language that is no longer spoken fluently across all generations in the context of language loss or language dispossession caused by colonisation. Aboriginal Languages and Torres Strait Islander Languages are being revived through community initiatives, linguistic research and school programs. ‘Language revival’ may be used as an overarching term that could also include ‘reclamation’, ‘revitalisation’, ’renewal’ and ‘reawakening’.
Includes the sounds, lexicon (vocabulary), grammar and alphabet/script of the language.
Measure of an object from end to end.
A group of words that are commonly found together; a grammatical pattern, for example, prepositional phrase, verb + infinitive.
The use of word associations to create links in texts. Examples of links are the use of repetition of words, pronouns, synonyms, antonyms and words that are related such as by class and subclass.
A one-dimensional figure that is straight, has no thickness and extends endlessly.
A line drawn through a scatter plot of data points that represents the nature of the relationship between 2 variables.
A pattern created by the regular repetition of units with the same difference between terms.
Relating to the systematic study of language.
Grammatical, lexical, phonological or structural characteristics of a language or a text.
A number of items, typically presented one after the other.
Having only the most direct meaning.
The many ways in which audiences across time assign importance to texts. This may include the perceived authenticity, universality or significance of their representations of personal, social or cultural experiences and ideas. It may also include the aesthetic qualities and artistic significance of a text.
Specific texts that are considered to hold enduring value for society are often termed ‘canonical’ or ‘classic’ texts.
An evolving category of text that is broadly seen by its audience to hold enduring personal, social, cultural or aesthetic value. Literature comprises a dynamic range of fiction and nonfiction texts from diverse historical and cultural contexts.
An assessment of the quality of a place. The concept of liveability has been linked to a range of factors, eg health, sense of safety, access to services, cost of living, comfortable living standards, mobility and transport, air quality and social participation.
A local Aboriginal community is constituted by those people who are Aboriginal and who reside in the near locality. Aboriginal communities will have a rich and diverse history that has been seriously affected by dispossession and relations, which sees families with spiritual connection to Country residing beside those who have been forced to move from other locations. The notion of locality is complex and multilayered: schools should seek advice from a range of people and/or organisations representing local interests.
See community(ies)
A scale where successive endpoint values of intervals increase by a constant factor (multiplicatively). Contrast with linear scales in which the increase is a constant amount.
A type of compression algorithm that retains sufficient information to allow the original data to be perfectly reconstructed from the compressed data. It is used when it is important for the original data to be accurately preserved, for example, in text documents, programming source code, application files or for archival purposes.
A type of compression algorithm that compresses data by discarding information that is not necessary to reproduce the original data with sufficient detail for the user not to notice the difference. It is used primarily for reducing the size of multimedia assets such as video, audio and photographs, especially when streaming or transmitting the data over the internet.
Malicious software designed to interfere with the regular operation of a computer system. Often used to gain access to computers, it is usually hidden in other software to avoid user detection.
To change the vocabulary or syntax of a sentence to suit the purpose.
The amount of matter in an object.
The sum of values in a data set divided by the total number of values in the data set. Also called the average.
A statistic that is used to summarise a data set. There are 3 common measures of centre for a data set: mode, median and mean.
In statistics, different methods of calculating the variability of a set. The most commonly used measures of spread are the range, interquartile range, and standard deviation.
Means of communication, such as publishing, broadcasting, or the internet.
Plural of medium.
The value in a set of ordered data that divides the data into 2 parts. It is frequently called the 'middle value'.
Means of communication, such as publishing, broadcasting, or the internet.
Singular of media.
An expanding urban cluster, formed as a result of the convergence of more than one metropolitan/urban area.
In the context of Geography 11–12 and Geography 11–12 Life Skills, a megacity is a metropolitan area with a total population in excess of 10 million.
A mental representation of the information in a real or an imaginary world. A student develops a mental model as the text progresses. It may include information derived from inferences and from background knowledge as well as from what is explicitly stated in the text itself.
A text that is studied as an example to show how specific textual features are crafted. Also known as a model text.
A set of data that describes and gives information about other data. For example, the metadata of a photograph is the set of data providing information about copyright.
Technical terms used to describe and discuss how language and texts function.
Linguistic – a figure of speech used for effect that implies one thing by referring to another.
Literary – an object, entity or situation that can be regarded as representing something else.
A small computer built for the purpose of dealing with specific tasks, such as managing the engine in a car, displaying information in a microwave control panel or receiving information from a television remote control. Microcontrollers process data inputted by users (eg keypad) or sensors (eg light).
A point on a line segment or interval that divides the segment into 2 equal parts.
Aspects of language that suggest a particular perspective on subjects and/or events. Modality forms a continuum from high modality (always, must) to low modality (might, could).
The most frequently occurring value in a set of data.
Extended in 7–10: There can be more than one mode. When there are 2 modes, the dataset is said to be bimodal.
A semiotic (meaning-making) resource or process of communication.
For example, sounds, music, printed or spoken words, images and gestures.
A mathematical, conceptual or physical representation that describes, simplifies, clarifies or provides an explanation of the structure, workings or relationships within an object, system or idea. Models can provide a means of testing and predicting behaviour within limited conditions. Models may be physical or exist in digital form.
A text that is studied as an example to show how specific textual features are crafted. Also known as a mentor text.
Language that has been modelled or previously taught by the teacher. It can be used by students as a scaffold in structured situations.
A text in which the topic and/or type of text is familiar; however, it may be structurally and/or conceptually more challenging, with greater complexity of language. The text may require students to understand stated and implied meanings.
Any language that is currently in use.
Aboriginal Languages are the oldest continuous languages and as they are still in use today, they are considered modern languages. Many Aboriginal Languages are in various stages of reclamation and revitalisation. Study of an Aboriginal Language in the NSW Curriculum is through Aboriginal Languages syllabuses.
Auslan is the language of the Australian Deaf community and is a visual gestural language. Study of Auslan in the NSW Curriculum is through the Auslan syllabus.
Words, phrases, and clauses that affect and often enhance the meaning of a sentence.
A polynomial in which the coefficient of the leading term is 1.
Considering meaning and/or purpose when reading and/or writing.
The smallest unit of meaning in a word.
For example, jumps has 2 morphemes: jump + s.
The patterns of word formation in a particular language, including inflection, derivation and composition.
A spelling term that describes the manipulation and control of a particular base or root word when it is affixed with a prefix and/or suffix.
The use of digital technologies to present combinations of text, graphics, video, animation and/or sound in an integrated way. Where there is facility for a user to interact with multimedia, the term ‘interactive multimedia’ may be used. Examples include interactive games, media-rich websites, electronic books (eBooks) and animated films.
A text that combines 2 or more expressive modes to communicate.
Products formed using the same base number multiplied by different whole numbers, eg 3, 6, 9, 12 …
Words of 2 or more syllables.
Two events which cannot have simultaneous outcomes in the same chance experiment.
For example, when a fair coin is tossed twice, the events 'HH' and 'TT' cannot occur at the same time and are, therefore, mutually exclusive.
In a Venn diagram, as shown below, mutually exclusive events do not overlap.
An account of events or experiences, which are real or imagined. In English literary theory, narrative includes a story (what is narrated) and a discourse (how it is narrated). Narrative can present as an explicit sequencing of events (type of text) or it can be an implied or inferred component in a text.
Atmospheric, hydrological and geomorphic processes and events in the environment that have the potential to damage the environment and endanger communities, eg bushfires, tropical cyclones, floods, earthquakes.
A combination of physical and/or biological elements, and their interconnected processes, that form an integrated whole.
A diagram showing the pattern of connected faces and the edges of an unfolded polyhedron (a solid with all faces polygons).
One possible net for a cube is shown below.
A system of interconnected digital devices and/or people.
See social network
A set of points (vertices or nodes) some of which are joined by lines or curves (edges) which sometimes enclose regions (faces). For example, road networks, a family tree or the edges lining a tennis court.
A point of intersection or connection within a data communication network.
A process of transforming actions or events (verbs) or descriptions of nouns and pronouns (adjectives) into things, concepts, or people (nouns). It can also refer to the process of forming noun phrases from clauses. Nominalisation is often a feature of texts that contain abstract ideas and concepts.
Functions or graphs that cannot be represented by a straight line or a linear function.
Words that contain phoneme–grapheme correspondences that are plausible.
Also referred to as pseudowords.
For example, drot, shann, glick.
Text intended to convey the truth.
Manually coded forms of communication in which the body is manipulated to convey meaning. These are often used in place of spoken languages. For Aboriginal Peoples nonverbal communication exists alongside of spoken language(s) and are usually associated with particular cultural protocols, eg relationships, ceremony, local community.
A word used to represent people, places, ideas and things.
- Common nouns: nouns used to name any one of a class of things. For example, girl, classroom, egg.
- Proper nouns: nouns used to name a place, a person or the title of something and are signalled by a capital letter. For example, Sam, Wagga Wagga, Olympic Games.
- Collective nouns: nouns used to name a group of things. For example, crowd, swarm, team.
- Abstract nouns: nouns used to name things that we cannot see but which exist in thoughts and feelings. For example, sadness, love, wonder.
See pronoun
Occurs where the correct pronoun is selected for the noun or noun group to which it is referring.
For example:
- The children were looking for their father in the supermarket.
Occurs where the correct verb is selected for the noun or noun group to which it is referring.
Examples include:
- A singular subject has a singular verb: the apple is cold.
- A plural subject has a plural verb: these apples are cold.
Combinations (pairs) of numbers that add to a given number, eg 8 + 2, 6 + 4, and 7 + 3 all bond to form 10.
A table that lists numbers in numerical order. There are different types of number charts.
Examples:
- a 1–120 or 0–99 chart
- a calendar display for a month.
A number line is used to represent numbers according to their distance from a zero point. The representation of a number line can start and end on any number.
A number sentence uses numerals and mathematical symbols. A number sentence may be used instead of the word equation. For example:
- instead of writing 6 apples plus 7 apples equals 13 apples, the number sentence would be 6 + 7 = 13.
Variables whose values are numbers, and for which arithmetic processes such as adding and subtracting, or calculating an average, make sense.
A discrete numerical variable is a numerical variable, each of whose possible values is separated from the next by a definite 'gap'. The most common numerical variables have the counting numbers 0, 1, 2, 3, … as possible values. Others are prices, measured in dollars and cents.
For example, the number of children in a family or the number of days in a month.
A three-dimensional solid.
The noun, noun group or pronoun in a sentence that is affected by an action.
For example:
- The child threw the ball.
A paradigm based on the concept of ‘objects’ that can contain data and code in the form of procedures. OOP language is a language based on the principles of ‘C’.
A type of programming language that organises code around data, or objects, rather than functions and logic. An object is a data field that has unique attributes and behaviour.
A technique used in object-oriented programming to query and manipulate data from a database.
Language that is fact-based, measurable and observable, verifiable and unbiased. It does not include a speaker or writer’s point of view, interpretation or judgement.
To see, watch, perceive or notice. Observations can be made using all 5 senses as well as digital and non-digital tools that extend our senses.
An angle bigger than a right angle (90°) but smaller than a straight angle (2 right angles, or 180°).
The effect of vast bodies of water on climatic conditions/patterns.
Taking place away from Aboriginal land or Country of origin.
See Country
Taking place on Aboriginal land or Country of origin.
See Country
Display of data using objects and pictures where one object or picture represents one data value.
A word that phonetically imitates or is indicative of the sound that it describes.
For example, bang, splash, oink, miaow.
The consonant speech sound(s) that appear at the start of a syllable and before the vowel phoneme.
For example, /b/ represents the onset in the word ‘big’.
See rime
This conceptual model standardises communications between all of the elements within an information or computer system.
The process of combining numbers or expressions. Operations are arithmetic – addition, subtraction, multiplication and division – and also include exponentiation and substitution.
A system through which spoken words can be used to express, receive and understand information, ideas and feelings.
The conventional written or visible word-level system of a language.
Possible result from an experiment or trial.
A data value that appears to stand out from the other members of the dataset by being unusually high or low.
A shift in awareness reported by some astronauts who have viewed the Earth from space, including the wonder of the Earth, the thinness of its atmosphere, and the absence of national boundaries.
Each Aboriginal Language is recognised as belonging to a particular geographical area and thus to the people who can claim a connection to that area. Aboriginal community members acquire ownership of their language(s) at birth. Language proficiency is not essential for ownership.
See custodians
A sequence of sentences, grouped together and focused on a specific theme. A distinct section of writing indicated by a new line.
A rewording of something that has been written or spoken.
Partitioning is dividing a quantity into parts.
In the early years it commonly refers to treating whole numbers as made up of two parts (number bonds), eg 10 is 8 and 2.
In later years it refers to dividing both continuous and discrete quantities into equal parts (equi-partitioning) when learning about fraction and division concepts.
A sequence of consecutive edges in a graph. The length of the path is the number of edges traversed.
A pattern in mathematics is made up of a number of elements that repeat or follow a rule.
Examples:
- a repeating pattern is square, triangle, square, triangle ...
- a growing pattern is 2, 4, 6, 8, 10.
A polygon with five sides.
See polygon
The absolute error of a measurement expressed as a percentage of the recorded measurement.
Two lines, rays, line segments, vectors, planes or other objects that intersect at a 90° angle (a right angle).
Attributing human characteristics to abstractions such as love, things or animals.
See figurative language
A way of regarding situations, facts and texts, and evaluating their relative significance.
A lens through which the author perceives the world and creates a text, or the lens through which the reader or viewer perceives the world and understands a text. Readers may also temporarily adopt the perspectives of others as a way of understanding texts.
A text designed to convince a reader of a particular opinion or way of thinking on an issue. A persuasive text may express an opinion while discussing, analysing and/or evaluating an issue.
The smallest unit of speech sound.
Examples include:
- Cat has 3 phonemes: c/a/t
- Truck has 4 phonemes: t/r/u/ck.
The ability to decode and encode words using knowledge of grapheme–phoneme relationships.
The ability to hear, identify and say the separate parts of words (syllables, onsets, rimes and phonemes).
The study of the sound system of a language, especially regarding speech sounds such as phonemes.
A group of related words that form part of a sentence and do not include both a verb and its subject.
Display of data using images, symbols or pictures to represent data in categories.
Employment where a worker is paid a fixed rate for each item produced or action performed regardless of the time taken.
The place value system has 4 properties: positional, base-ten, additive and multiplicative.
The value of a digit is determined by its position in a number relative to the ones (or units) place. For example:
- in the number 924, the 4 denotes 4 ones, the 2 denotes 2 tens or 20 ones, and the 9 denotes 9 hundreds, 90 tens or 900 ones.
A connected graph that is drawn within a plane whose edges do not cross.
Fixed forms within poetry that follow specific rules, such as ballad, sonnet, elegy, ode, dramatic monologue. The form will often be determined by the tone and subject matter. Note that some poets may deliberately subvert the fixed form.
Representation of a location in space that has zero dimensions. Lines, curves, shapes, surfaces and objects are constructed from sets of points. Points in the Cartesian plane are specified by coordinates.
The position from which the information and events of a text are intended to be perceived by its audience. Point of view is constructed through the narrator, voice or images of the text and by characters or voices presented within it.
Point of view should not be confused with the term ‘perspective’ or with notions of opinion.
Plane shape bounded by 3 or more line segments.
The sum of several terms that contain different powers of the same variable.
Words of 3 or more syllables.
The complete set of individuals, objects, places, etc, that we want information about.
Suggest what may happen based on available information.
A text in which the topic and/or type of text is very familiar; it contains mostly familiar language structures, but some unfamiliar language is present. Comprehension strategies may be used in conjunction with knowledge of language to understand the text.
A bound morpheme made up of letters that appear before a base word to make a new word.
For example, un- in ‘unhappy’ means ‘not’ (un + happy = not happy).
A word that begins an adverbial phrase or an adjectival phrase to indicate a circumstance such as time, place, manner or causality.
For example, in, on, after, before, by, under, over, of.
See adjectival phrase
See adverbial phrase
Original material collected eg field notes, measurements, responses to a survey or questionnaire.
For example, the prime factors of 330 are 2, 3, 5 and 11.
The guiding requirements and obligations of right conduct.
The knowledge a person already has before encountering a particular topic.
The chance of something happening shown on a scale from 0 and 1 (inclusive). For example, the probability that a fair coin toss will come up ‘heads’ is 0.5.
A method of programming where the program is divided into functions. A program consists of data and procedures (modules) that operate on the data. Data and procedures are treated as separate entities.
Actively realising (making) designed solutions, using appropriate resources and means of production.
The tangible end results of natural, human, mechanical, manufacturing, electronic or digital production and processes.
An individual or collaborative problem-solving activity undertaken by students that is planned to achieve an articulated aim.
The process of planning, organising, controlling resources, monitoring timelines and activities, and completing a project to achieve a goal that meets identified criteria.
A word that is used in place of a noun. A pronoun may be personal (he, she, we, they), demonstrative (that, this) or relative (who).
A letter or symbol that is used to represent a value in a problem that can vary or change. Also known as a variable.
A manner in which a syllable is uttered.
A rigorous mathematical argument that demonstrates the truth of a given proposition. A mathematical statement that has been established by means of a proof is called a theorem.
Reading with expression using correct phrasing, intonation and attention to punctuation.
The appropriate ways of behaving, communicating and showing respect for diversity of history and culture. This involves appreciation of the knowledge, standing and status of people within the local Aboriginal community and the school community. Protocols inevitably vary between communities, and between people within a community. In establishing a partnership between schools and Aboriginal communities, it is especially important that protocols are acknowledged and respected.
A set of generally accepted standards or 'rules' that govern relationships and interactions between and within information systems. In communication systems including the internet, specific protocols allow for the successful transmission of data.
See Open Systems Interconnection (OSI)
A trial product or model built to test an idea or process to inform further design development. Its purpose is to see if and how well the design works and is tested by users and systems analysts. A prototype can be both a physical object or exist in digital form.
See model
A form of algorithm description that uses English-like statements with defined rules of structure and keywords.
A figure of speech where there is a play on words, usually created through the use of a homonym or homophone. Puns rely on more than one meaning of a word to emphasise the point.
To entertain, to inform or to persuade different audiences in different contexts. Composers use a number of ways to achieve these purposes: persuading through emotive language, analysis or factual recount; entertaining through description, imaginative writing or humour, and so on.
Information that is expressed in words and narratives.
Information that can be expressed with numbers.
The amount a digit represents in a number. For example:
- the quantity value of the five in 546 is 500, and the quantity value of the four is 40.
A sentence that seeks information by asking or requesting to elicit a response.
A punctuation marker used at the end of a sentence to indicate that a question is being asked.
A reading comprehension strategy that may occur before, during, and/or after reading. The questions a reader may ask themselves can support their literal and/or inferential understanding of a text.
Punctuation markers used to indicate: quoted or direct speech; the actual words quoted from another source in formal writing; the titles of poems, songs, short stories or articles; or, to draw attention to an unusual or particular sense or usage of a word.
The exact words expressed by a person, reproduced in quotation marks.
For example:
- ‘You'll never guess what I've just seen!’ exclaimed Loreta.
The result of dividing one number or algebraic expression by another.
The distance from the centre of a circle to any point on its perimeter. It is equal to half of the circle’s diameter.
A number whose value is governed by chance. For example, the number of dots showing when a fair die is tossed. The value of a random number cannot be predicted in advance.
The set of values of the dependent variable for which a function is defined.
The varying frames of reference used for viewing and analysing the world in spatial terms. These are commonly described as local, national, regional and global. These scales can be used to develop an understanding of places, environments, natural and human phenomena, geographical patterns and processes, and management. They represent the geographical way of investigating the world.
The part of a line that starts at a point and continues in a particular direction to infinity.
Process visual or tactile symbols (for example, braille), words or actions in order to derive and/or construct meaning. Reading includes elements of decoding (of sounds and symbols), interpreting, critically analysing and reflecting upon meaning in a wide range of written, visual, print and non-print texts.
To process written words, to derive and/or construct meaning. It is the product of word reading and language comprehension.
Recasting is a teaching strategy to support students in their oral language. A recast occurs when the teacher modifies a learner’s utterance by adding new or different grammar (syntax) or by using precise words.
Repeating a prepared text aloud, such as a published poem, to an audience. Reading should be prosodic and may occur from memory.
Retell a series of events.
A four-sided shape (quadrilateral) with opposite sides of equal length and all four interior angles equal (right angles).
The use of a source of information in order to ascertain something.
The act of mentioning someone or something in speech or writing.
A diagrammatic model that breaks down the steps of an outline solution into smaller and smaller steps.
The thought process by which students develop an understanding and appreciation of their own learning. This process draws on both cognitive and affective experience.
A transformation of a shape formed by creating a mirror image on the other side of a given line.
An angle that measures between 180 and 360 degrees, ie between 2 and 4 right angles.
Places that have an economic and social role, servicing the area around them. They are often characterised by factors such as population growth, increasing population density and growth in employment.
The degree of formality or informality of language used for a particular purpose or in a particular social setting.
A noun comprising a free morpheme (base word) that is affixed to the inflected suffix, -s or -es, to indicate more than one.
A two-dimensional polygon with all sides and all interior angles equal. A square is an example of a regular shape.
Language that has been practised by the student. It is used in structured and familiar situations. Students usually learn the language by heart, for example a role play.
A correspondence (map) between the elements of 2 sets, eg ‘favourite colour’ related to the set of students in a class (the domain) and the set of colours (the co-domain).
A place that has less access to various goods and services because of its location and distance from larger urban settlements.
An early strategy for solving multiplication problems used to add groups of the same quantity. For example:
- 3 + 3 + 3 + 3 to solve 4 groups of 3.
Speech in a text used to communicate what someone else said, but without using the exact words. In reported speech the tense of the verbs is often changed.
For example:
- She said that she was going to leave (indirect speech).
- ‘I am going to leave', she said (direct speech).
The way ideas are portrayed and represented in texts, using language devices, forms, features and structures of texts to create specific views about characters, events and ideas. Representation applies to all modes: spoken, written, visual and multimodal.
The ability of an ecosystem to tolerate and recover from natural and/or human-induced disturbance.
A term used commonly in NSW Aboriginal communities to refer to the way an individual treats others. Showing respect occurs in many ways, such as waiting to speak, listening and demonstrating understanding, not asking too many direct questions, ensuring that people are not made to feel uncomfortable or uneasy, and generally showing regard for others’ ideas, beliefs and culture.
The activity that occurs when students read, listen to or view texts. It encompasses the personal and intellectual connections a student makes with texts. It also recognises that students and the texts to which they respond reflect social contexts.
Engaging with a text. ‘Responding’ involves identifying, selecting, describing, comprehending, imagining, interpreting, explaining, analysing and/or evaluating.
The eye movement that takes the reader’s eyes from one end of the line of text to the start of the next line.
Strategies used by writers and speakers to achieve particular effects, such as, to stimulate the audience’s imagination or thought processes, to draw attention to a particular idea, or simply to display wit and ingenuity in composition.
A question that is asked to provoke thought rather than require an answer.
Pronouncing the letters r, rr, rl when they occur after a vowel or at the end of a syllable.
A repetition of similar speech sounds in 2 or more words, beginning from the last stressed vowel sound and carrying through any remaining syllables.
Rhythmic counting refers to the repeated sound pattern that students may use to vocalise the count – creating a beat to emphasise the pattern.
The vowel and other speech sounds that occur at the end of a syllable.
For example:
- The /-ig/ represents the rime in the word ‘big’.
In the context of Geography 11–12 and Geography 11–12 Life Skills, risk management is defined in terms of preparedness, mitigation and/or prevention of a natural or ecological hazard. Preparedness involves planning the interventions needed to prevent or mitigate the effects of a hazard. Mitigation involves the implementation of strategies to eliminate or minimise the effects of these hazards. Adaptation involves adjusting to the changed environmental circumstances.
A morpheme that gives the word its core meaning. A root may or may not stand alone as a word. Many roots in Standard Australian English derive from Latin and Greek.
The process for approximating a value that lies between 2 known values. It is used to specify a number correct to a given accuracy. For example, 4.027 becomes 4.03 when rounded to 2 decimal places.
A reference to a settlement in the countryside typically serving a farming or agricultural area.
A strategy used to highlight what is important in a text.
In an image, salience may be created through framing an object in the foreground, and/or by its size or distinct colour.
In written text, salience may be conveyed by positioning the most important idea at the beginning of a sentence, or through font styling such as the use of bold, underlined or italicised text.
A subset of a population used to estimate characteristics of the population. For example, a randomly selected group of 8-year-olds (sample) selected to estimate the height of 8-year-olds in Australia (population).
The set of all possible outcomes of a chance experiment. For example, the set of outcomes (also called sample points) from tossing 2 heads is {HH, HT, TH, TT}, where H represents a ‘head’ and T a ‘tail’.
A virtual world where players can build their playscapes, invite other players to play and test game play.
A framework to support the production of original text.
A visual representation of bivariate numerical data using the position of each dot on the horizontal and vertical axis to indicate the numerical values for an individual data point. Scatter plots are used to observe relationships between variables.
A reduced vowel phoneme occurring in an unaccented (unstressed) syllable of a multisyllabic word.
For example, in the word ‘problem’ the final vowel phoneme is unstressed and is said quickly and quietly, and with less emphasis.
A programming language designed for integrating and communicating with other programming languages.
The straight line passing through 2 points on the graph of a function.
Sources of information that have been collected, processed, interpreted and published by others, eg census data, newspaper articles and images or information in a published report.
The plane figure enclosed by 2 radii or a circle and the arc between them.
A plane figure enclosed by a chord and the arc joining the endpoints of a chord.
The act of separating a spoken word into its syllables and/or phonemes.
A device that detects and responds to some type of input from the physical environment.
A collection of words that conveys a complete thought, typically containing a subject and predicate. A sentence:
- may express a statement, exclamation, command or question
- comprises a main clause and sometimes one or more subordinate clauses
- begins with a capital letter and ends with a full stop, exclamation mark or question mark.
See clause, simple sentence, compound sentence and complex sentence
The spatial distribution of different types of human settlement, eg dwellings, towns, cities. Settlements may take a range of forms, including linear, scattered, clustered, nucleated, dispersed, planned, radial.
A two-dimensional closed figure.
Sharing (partitive) division requires finding how many are in each group, eg if 12 marbles are shared between 3 students, how many does each student get?
When sharing, the quotient represents the quantity of shared objects in each group.
A theory that describes the way changes to an ecosystem are measured against previous reference points or baselines, which themselves may represent changes from an even earlier state of the ecosystem.
It reflects the perception of each new generation that current conditions are the same as past conditions. An ecosystem may therefore be degraded successively over time, so that the extent of change from its original state, is greater than perceived. Shifting baselines describes the situation where knowledge is lost about the original state of the natural world.
A side is the line segment joining two vertices of a two-dimensional shape.
Hand signs (or hand talk) used to supplement or replace oral language. Signs form part of nonverbal communication for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and may be used by people who are hearing, or d/Deaf or hard of hearing. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sign Languages may be used in some areas. Some Sign Languages may be associated with sacred ceremonial practices.
The use of signed language is Auslan.
The use of signs or signing when paired with spoken language is typically referred to as Key Word Sign.
The use of words, graphic designs and/or symbols used to communicate a message, eg information signs, plaques, warning signs, road signs, signs that show direction.
When the enlargement of one figure is congruent to another figure. Similar figures have corresponding lengths in the same proportion, are the same shape and have equal corresponding angles.
A figure of speech that compares the similar qualities of 2 different things. The comparison usually includes like, as or as if.
See figurative language
The interest accumulated when the interest payment in each period is a fixed percentage of the principal (the initial lump sum of money).
A complete message that contains a subject and predicate, forming a single independent clause.
A text in which the vocabulary and language structures are very familiar and straightforward, with mostly simple sentences. Comprehension may be supported by the use of visuals and/or word lists.
A recreation of random phenomena used to collect probability data through either physical or virtual manipulatives such as spinners, coins and cards or computer-generated simulations which can be performed a large number of times.
A set of 2 or more equations, each containing 2 or more variables whose values can simultaneously satisfy all the equations in the set, the number of variables being equal to or less than the number of equations in the set.
One letter used to represent one phoneme (speech sound).
See phoneme
A measure of asymmetry (non-symmetry) in a distribution of values about the mean of a set of data.
Skip counting is counting forwards or backwards in groups or multiples of a particular number, eg 5, 10, 15, 20 ...
Sliding a shape without turning it.
Related to social and cultural factors that influence people and communities.
A diagram that describes the social links or relationships that one person has with other people.
Phonological component of the language including intonation, pronunciation and stress.
A relationship between letters or characters and the sounds they make when pronounced.
Change in the location and arrangement of particular features, phenomena or activities across the surface of the Earth.
The location and arrangement of particular features, phenomena or activities across the surface of the Earth.
Any form of technology that interacts with place, space and location. Spatial technologies may be used to collect, organise, record, visualise, manipulate, analyse and display spatial data.
The geographical area over which the services and functions of an urban settlement extend. Larger settlements typically have a greater sphere of influence than smaller settlements and attract people from a wider geographical area.
Two graphemes that are split by a consonant to represent a long vowel phoneme.
Examples include:
- a-e in cake
- i-e in side
- o-e in rope.
Communication produced using spoken words and delivered either face-to-face or digitally.
A language device, sometimes a slip of the tongue, by which corresponding phonemes or morphemes are switched between 2 words or within a word.
Examples include:
- butterfly becomes flutterby
- It's pouring with rain becomes it’s roaring with pain.
See word play
A four-sided shape (quadrilateral and a parallelogram) with all sides of equal length and all four interior angles equal (right angles).
A person, group or organisation that has interest or concern.
See custodians, consultation
A system of standard English language, characterised by the perceived consistent usage of words and syntax across Australian political, business, media and education contexts. While it is always dynamic and evolving, it is recognised as the ‘common language’ of Australians.
A measure of the variability or spread of a dataset. It gives an indication of the degree to which the individual data values are spread around their mean.
A method of organising and displaying numerical data in which each data value is split into 2 parts, a 'stem' and a 'leaf'.
For example, the stem-and-leaf plot below displays the resting pulse rates of 19 students. The stem is on the left side of the vertical line and the leaves are on the right side.
Improving the status and recognition of Aboriginal Languages, including the allocation of funding and resources, raising the prestige of the target language and the development of new words, where applicable.
An emphasis in pronunciation that is placed on a particular syllable of a word.
For example:
- She will conduct the orchestra.
- Her conduct is exemplary.
Data with a high degree of organisation, such that it can easily be analysed and processed using algorithms. The organisation of the data takes on a form that captures the properties and behaviours of the source the data represents.
An informal high-level description of a computer program, process or algorithm. It is intended for humans to understand the flow of operations without necessarily needing to understand a programming language.
Specialist programming language used to manage data and access data in relational database management systems.
In the context of Geography 11–12, this encompasses a broad range of learning approaches and activities, facilitated by a variety of teaching strategies.
The way in which the effects of distinctive language forms and features of a text, often including those specific to its medium, combine to generate an overall impression.
Particular style elements may be observed in multiple works by the same author, from the same genre, or written during the same time period or artistic movement.
The noun (or noun group) in a sentence that conveys who or what the clause is about.
The topic or content of a text.
For example:
- An information report on marine vessels may include content about construction materials, and different types of boats and engines.
Occurs when the writer or speaker selects the correct verb for the noun or noun group to which it is referring.
For example:
- The bike was here (not: The bike were here).
Words used to communicate based on opinion, feelings or personal biases.
A word or group of words that function to link a dependent clause to an independent clause.
In geometry, an angle subtended by an arc or interval is the angle whose 2 rays pass through the endpoints of the arc or interval. A possible synonym for ‘subtends’ is ‘makes’.
To compose or respond to a text in ways that are different from the widely accepted reading or different from the conventional genre.
For example, Roald Dahl's Revolting Rhymes provides a subverted reading of Cinderella. The purpose of producing a subverted reading of a text might be to entertain or to raise questions about the meaning or inherent values in the original text.
A bound morpheme comprising a letter or group of letters that attach to a base word to make a new word.
Examples include:
- The -s in dogs is an inflected suffix that marks plurality.
- The derivational suffix, -ion can be added to the end of the verb, protect, to form the noun, protection.
See derivational word form
See inflected word form
Express, concisely, the relevant details.
To place or lay on top of.
Two adjacent angles that form a straight angle and whose sum is 180 degrees (a straight angle). For example, 45° and 135° are supplementary angles.
A numerical expression involving one or more irrational roots of numbers.
The flat or curved area of an object. A surface with straight edges is called a face, a surface with a curved boundary is called a curved surface.
See face
The measure of the total area of the surface(s) of a 3-dimensional shape or object. For example, the surface area of a cube with side length 5 units is 150 square units.
The concept of sustainability refers to the capacity of something to be maintained indefinitely into the future and is used as a way to evaluate decisions and proposals. In the investigation of places and environments, it may be used to frame questions, evaluate the findings of investigations, guide decisions and plan actions.
Independently reading texts to expand and maintain comprehension.
A type of assistive technology that enables people with cognitive and/or physical disability to access a range of devices, including computers and communication devices. Switches can be activated by touch, or triggered without contact, such as through eye gaze, sound or blowing.
See assistive technology (AT)
The process of segmenting a multisyllabic word into its syllables.
A unit of sound within a word that contains a vowel phoneme and feels like one ‘beat’.
For example:
- A word with 3 syllables is won-der-ful.
A letter, figure, or other character or mark, or a combination of letters, used to represent something.
An object, character or entity that can be understood to represent a larger idea, action or feeling. Depending on context, audience and purpose, symbols can have commonly agreed or reinforced associations, or they can be dynamic. Symbols can operate within texts, or they can serve as meaning-making devices of language in the real world.
The written representations of a language such as letters, characters, marks, accents; identifiable aspects of culture such as flags, artefacts, costumes, landmarks.
When the 2 sides of the distribution are a mirror image of each other. A normal distribution is a true symmetric distribution of observed values.
A word or phrase that has the same or a similar meaning to another word or phrase.
For example, sick and ill.
Put together various elements to make a whole.
Text in the target language written in modern times to assist reading comprehension for a diversity of learners.
The implementation method applied when introducing a new or redesigned enterprise system. Typically methods include: direct, parallel, phased or pilot.
An understanding of how related objects or components interact to influence how systems function. Students are provided with opportunities to recognise the connectedness of, and interactions between phenomena, people, places and events in local and wider contexts and consider the impact of their decisions. Understanding the complexity of systems and the interdependence of components is important for scientific research and for the creation of solutions to technical, economic and social issues.
An arrangement of information in rows and columns.
A line that intersects a circle at just one point. It touches the circle at that point of contact but does not pass inside it.
The Aboriginal Language in which it is intended that a student will gain proficiency.
The amount of yearly income that is used to calculate an individual’s or company’s payable income tax.
Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) is the basic communication language or protocol of the internet.
A word that indicates when something is happening.
For example, first, next, finally, before, after, then.
The form of the verb that indicates when something is happening in relation to the speaker’s time: past, present or future.
Examples include:
- I ate bananas (past).
- I am eating bananas (present).
- I will eat bananas (future).
A decimal expansion of a number which has a finite number of non-zero digits, eg 3.125. Every terminating decimal represents a rational number where the denominator is a power of 10.
Any written, spoken/signed, nonverbal, visual, auditory or multimodal communication. Texts may be extended unified works, a series of related pieces or a single, simple piece of communication.
Structural or stylistic components that combine to construct meaning and achieve purpose. Can be recognisable as characterising particular types of texts.
Categories of text, classified according to the particular purposes they are designed to achieve, which influence the features the texts employ. For example, texts may be imaginative, informative or persuasive, or can belong to more than one category. Text types vary significantly in terms of structure and text features across different languages and cultural contexts.
An overarching or recurring idea that describes attitudes or values that are perceived in a text. A theme may range from the understood ‘moral’ of a text to philosophical observations that the audience makes about the events, characters and experiences depicted in a text. A text may have more than one theme.
An individual or group that poses a security threat to an individual or organisation.
Basic-level, everyday words.
For example, dog, baby, happy, pretty, was, come, said.
General academic words that can be used across a variety of domains. They are of high utility for mature language users and are commonly used in written language.
Tier 2 words add power and precision to written and spoken language but many Tier 2 words are most commonly found in written language.
For example, contradict, precede, stale, awful, snuggle.
Words that are used rarely (low frequency) and only in highly specific situations, eg decibel, cataclysm, atom.
Vocabulary classified according to complexity and use.
A critical point (often called a threshold) where a series of smaller changes become significant enough, collectively, to trigger a larger-scale change. The change is often abrupt and irreversible, permanently altering the state of the original system, leading to flow-on effects that have more widespread consequences for other natural systems, and for people.
The attitude or feeling the writer expresses through choice of words and/or literary devices, for example, solemn, playful, defensive or sinister.
A sentence that usually occurs at the start of a paragraph and outlines the main idea of that paragraph.
Following an algorithm to check its logic and correctness. This may be done on paper, using a diagram, or mentally trying a sample of typical inputs to see what the outputs would be.
A term widely used to refer to pre-invasion Aboriginal life, culture and social organisation, or the continuation of aspects of Aboriginal cultures. The term 'traditional' must be used with care, as individuals and groups may find this term offensive. The word 'customary' is often used to convey a similar message.
See customary
A walk where no edges are repeated.
In the context of this syllabus, the term transformation refers to the processes of change from which forms of environmental, social, cultural and economic relationships and patterns emerge.
A process of translating signs/words/text from one language into another, recognising that the process involves movement of meanings and attention to cultural context as well as the transposition of individual words.
The means through which data is sent from one system to another on a network.
A line that intersects 2 other lines obliquely.
A diagram consisting of line segments (edges) connected to points (vertices) like the branches of a tree. It shows the relationship between sets, events, or the set of outcomes of a multi-step random experiment.
A closed shape with exactly three straight sides and three interior angles.
The relationships between the angles and sides of right-angled triangles, and the 3 basic trigonometric ratios, sine, cosine and tangent.
Three letters used to represent one phoneme.
Examples include:
- the tch in catch.
- the igh in flight.
Having length and width only (with no depth).
A common way of displaying the two-way frequency distribution that arises when a group is categorised according to 2 criteria.
Means ‘the same as’. Used to refer to units of the same size used for measuring.
A circle with a radius of 1 unit.
Two visible forms of alphabetic letters. Lower-case letters are generally used, except when it is necessary to:
- indicate specific names (proper nouns) such as those of people, organisations, titles or countries
- indicate the beginning of a sentence or the initial letter of a proper noun
- write headings
- achieve a particular effect, such as to indicate shouting.
A part of an urban area defined by a particular geographical feature such as a transportation route.
The ranking of urban places in descending order, eg cities, determined by population size.
A reference to a permanent settlement or built-up area with a relatively dense population compared to its hinterland.
The process of demographic, economic and/or social change in which an increasing proportion of the population of a country or region live in urban areas. The size and rate of urbanisation is influenced by push-pull factors.
An alternative to TCP/IP, UDP is a method governing connections of some applications on the internet.
The usability, ease of use, and enjoyment provided in the interaction between the customer and the product.
The means by which users interact with computer hardware or software. In software, this usually comprises fields for text and number entry, mouse pointers, buttons and other graphical elements. In hardware, switches, dials and light-emitting diodes (LEDs) provide information about the interactions between a user and a machine.
Something measurable or observable that is expected to change either over time or between individual observations.
For example, the age of students, their hair colour or a playing field's length or its shape.
Graphical representations, using several typically overlapping circles, showing elements of sets in relation to properties or attributes. They are drawn for some specified universal set.
A word that tells what is happening. Different types of verbs include:
- action verbs: They danced ...
- thinking verbs: I forgot ...
- feeling verbs: We like ...
- saying verbs: He whispered ...
- relating verbs: They are ....
A group of words built around a verb. Verb groups:
- may include auxiliary verbs (‘helping’ verbs used to indicate tense or modality), eg I am going soon. I must leave before dark.
- can contain 2 or more verbs, eg The wolf huffed and puffed.
- may include other words such as adverbs and prepositions, eg The plane took off.
- are sometimes referred to as a complex verb or compound verb.
Where 2 straight sides of a two-dimensional shape meet.
Extended in 7–10: A vertex is a point in the plane where lines meet and do not extend beyond, or a point in space where several edges meet. A vertex can also refer to a node in a network.
Determines whether a relation or graph is also a function. If a vertical line intersects or touches a graph at more than one point, then the graph is not a function.
Two pairs of vertically opposite angles formed at the point of intersection of 2 lines in a plane. Vertically opposite angles are equal.
Observing and comprehending a visual text, for example, diagram, illustration, photograph, film, television documentary, multimedia. This sometimes involves listening to and reading accompanying written text.
The use of computing technology to create a simulated environment. Unlike traditional user interfaces, VR places the user inside an experience. Instead of viewing a screen in front of them, users are immersed and able to interact with 3-dimensional worlds.
A visual item, such as a photograph or drawing; an image.
Texts that consist of or include images. Visual elements in texts may contribute to meaning. Visual design elements in a text may include choices of lines, symbols, vectors, size and colour.
The presentation of data or information through pictures or graphics to help the intended audience understand its significance.
A comprehension strategy used to create a mental image from a text read, viewed or heard. To visualise is to bring the text to life, engage the imagination, and use a person’s senses.
The way in which language is used and/or interpreted to represent particular thoughts, opinions or perspectives. This includes the authorial voice or the voice of a narrator, character or persona within a text.
Describes the relationship between the action expressed by the verb and the subject/object of the sentence. For example, ‘active voice’ is where the subject performs the action, ‘The cat broke the vase’; ‘passive voice' is where the object is acted upon, ‘The vase was broken by the cat’.
In speaking, a description of the oral production of text.
See point of view for ‘narrative voice’
The amount of space occupied by an object.
A sound that is voiced with the mouth open and not obstructed by the lips, teeth or tongue.
For example:
- The short /o/ phoneme in the word ‘dog’.
Often represented by the graphemes: a, e, i, o, u.
Two vowel graphemes that represent one phoneme.
Examples include:
- ea in cream
- ai in snail
- oo in chook.
In the context of this syllabus, the term vulnerability refers to an ecosystem’s risk of exposure or susceptibility to stress.
The World Wide Web Consortium is the international standards organisation for the world wide web. All of the standards used for web development are defined by this organisation.
A sequence of edges and vertices in a network.
The measure of the force of gravity acting on a body with a given mass. An object can be weightless without its mass being zero. The term ‘weight’ is used as a synonym for mass when the concept of gravitational force has not been introduced.
A testing technique used to examine the internal workings of an application including the design, code and inner workings of software. This technique gives the ability to verify the flow of inputs and outputs through the application.
The relationship between a word and other words that are semantically related in a text.
Experimenting with and manipulating language.
See pun
See spoonerism
A sequence of processes and/or activities that a document or artefact transitions through in order to reach completion.
A method of visually representing verbal communication, based on an alphabet, characters and/or script.
A text produced using written language. It is one-way information giving, such as a handwritten or digital text.
Yarning circles are an important cultural practice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples to learn within the collective group. Knowledge and information are shared in harmony and respect with all individuals.