Characteristics of Learning in Technology

To achieve the best possible learning outcomes in technology, programmes should reflect the following characteristics of technology education.

• Technology education builds on students' existing knowledge and skills, values, interests, and aspirations. All students will be familiar with many technologies, but may not have articulated their understandings, nor recognised their own skills.
• Technology education deals with real, identified needs or problems, and with multiple solutions. There is no single "right answer" &; lateral thinking and willingness to test divergent options are to be encouraged &; although some solutions will be more successful than others.
• Further learning in technology occurs through failure analysis, recognising the value of alternative and unexpected outcomes.
• Technological activities usually lead to a tangible outcome: a product, a model, a modified environment, or a system. All students should experience the satisfaction of developing a range of outcomes.
• Technological developments are advanced by sharing ideas, presenting concepts, and evaluating possible solutions.
• The teacher's knowledge, experience, and skills provide input to assist in refining ideas, selecting resources, and achieving quality in products, as well as guiding students towards viable solutions.
• The teacher supports, guides, challenges, and learns with the students, interacting with their thinking and helping to clarify ideas.
• Technology education encourages risk taking: students' ideas should be accepted and valued, and students challenged to realise their aspirations. It provides opportunities for students to show initiative, make choices, and take more responsibility for their own work.
• Technological activities often require students to work co-operatively and collaboratively &; with each other, their teachers, and other adults.
• Technology education recognises that students have different starting points and will progress at different rates: the teacher's role is to motivate, encourage, support, and provide feedback to students.
• Technology education gives opportunities for a wide range of people in the community to provide specialist input.