Implementing the Technology Curriculum

TECHNOLOGY AND THE TEACHER

Technology involves knowing and doing. Learning and teaching approaches should address both of these areas. Technology is derived from a variety of knowledge bases, values, processes, and skills. These are used both to create and to evaluate designs, products, systems, and environments critically. There should be flexible, open, collaborative approaches to classroom teaching which accommodate all students' perspectives, interests, aspirations, and learning styles.

Students' technological capability will be enhanced through engagement in purposeful and comprehensive activities. An appropriate technological activity will require thoughtful planning and negotiation between students and teachers.

Technological activities often involve students working as a team and undertaking a variety of roles and tasks. The successful management of knowledge, skills, and resources is crucial to group activities in technology.

Teachers, too, will often work collaboratively to plan and deliver the curriculum. In particular, teachers with special knowledge and skills in different and existing disciplines will have important roles in working with their colleagues to achieve the successful implementation of a school's technology curriculum. This technology curriculum will need teachers who can contribute expertise in using a wide range of materials; in food technology and processing; in information and communication, such as keyboarding, computing, and language; in electronic, mechanical and biotechnologies; and in drawing and graphics.