Technologies K–10 · Years 5–6

What a photo file records: metadata and the digital footprint

Digital Technologies (NSW Science and Technology K–6, 2017 and 2024; a partial fit, see the NSW notes); Digital Technologies: Processes and production skills, Privacy and security (ACARA v9)

PracticalLow risk

The idea

A digital photo file stores hidden data (metadata) such as the date, the device and, when location is on, the exact place it was taken, which becomes part of a person's digital footprint when the photo is shared.

What you need

1 school-managed tablet or phone with a camera (teacher device)
1 computer that shows file properties (for example Windows File Explorer: Properties, Details tab)
A map application
A classroom object to photograph (no people)

How to do it

The teacher turns location services on for the camera and photographs the object, then turns location off and photographs it again.
Copy both files to the computer and open the properties of each.
Record every field shown: date and time, device make and model, pixel width and height, and latitude and longitude if present.
Enter the latitude and longitude into the map and see where it points.
Multiply the pixel width by the height to find the number of pixels in megapixels.
Remove the personal properties with the operating system's tool, check the fields again, and write class rules for sharing photos.

What you should see

The photo taken with location on shows latitude and longitude that point to the school on the map; the photo taken with location off has no location fields. Both show the date, time and device model. Width × height gives the pixel count (for example 4032 × 3024 = 12,192,768 pixels, about 12.2 megapixels, when the file shows those dimensions). After the properties are removed the fields are empty. The learner knows it worked when they can list three facts the file revealed beyond the picture itself.

What changes

This activity lists no variables to change, measure and keep the same.

Common misconceptions

Each of these ideas is wrong, and the activity is a chance to test it.

A photo only shows what is in the picture (the file also stores when, where and with what it was taken).
Deleting a photo from my device removes it everywhere (copies shared online can remain).
Location data only exists if I type it in (the camera adds it automatically when location is on).

Safety card

Low riskLearners carry it out

Hazards

Revealing the school's or a person's location

Controls

Photograph objects only, never people; use a school device; delete the photos after the lesson

Note

No chemicals or heat.

Curriculum references

The NSW syllabus outcomes and Australian Curriculum v9 codes this activity supports. They are references, not a verified or complete curriculum alignment.

Science and Technology K–6 Syllabus (2017), NESA. The syllabus taught in 2026; the 2024 syllabus replaces it from 2027. Code read from the official syllabus document (DOCX) on 2026-09-22. Partial fit: the Stage 3 Digital Technologies content has no point on photo metadata or the digital footprint; the nearest points are how digital systems represent data and exploring ethical, social and technical protocols when communicating using information systems (ACTDIP022).ST3-11DI-T
Science and Technology K–6 Syllabus (2024), NESA. Implementation from 2027, so this code describes the future syllabus. Code read from the Stage 3 content page on 2026-09-22. Partial fit: no content point covers privacy or the digital footprint; the nearest is sharing files online following an agreed code of conduct, which the class rules for sharing photos address.ST3-DDT-02
Australian Curriculum v9AC9TDI6P10

Sources

The pages the author read to write this activity.

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