TEFA DISR Primary Technology Education Resources Project

Overview · Aims · Evaluation · TEFA's Role · Scope · Time Line · Publicity · More Information

Project Overview
This TEFA project has been funded by DISR under the Science and Technology Awareness Program 1998-99 and implements Recommendation 5 of the ASTEC Report published in May 1997: Foundations for Australia's Future - Science and Technology in Primary Schools. This recommends funding to: survey the currently available technology education resource materials determine whether or not gaps exist in the existing material identify best-practice examples of such teaching resources, in Australia and overseas establish an online inventory of resources A technologically literate community is essential for the economic and social future of our society. Integral to the long term achievement of a technologically literate society is effective teaching and learning in Technology Education in schools. This project seeks to enhance learning in this area by identifying and publishing a comprehensive inventory of curriculum resources which provides teachers with the necessary information and access to appropriate materials to enhance their teaching. One of the basic tenets of the Technology learning area is to increase the awareness of children to the technology process, to make them aware of the use and abuse of technology in society, to relate how technology effects their daily lives and give the necessary skills, knowledge and attitudes to enable students to make informed and 'wise' decisions about the use of technology to improve our society. As stated in the ASTEC Report (pg1): The teaching of science and technology in our schools, particularly at the primary level, is one means by which these improvements in the understanding of science and technology can be achieved. By promoting and supporting good technology education teaching practice in primary schools this project will assist young people to greater understandings of the nature of technology and how it best can be used to enhance the quality of life for all.



Project Aims	top
The project aims at an increased awareness of primary technology teachers of available teaching resources and enhanced access to these resources. Such awareness and access has the potential to lead to improved student learning outcomes in Technology - ie increased student understanding of the nature of technology and how it can and is being used in society. This outcome is achieved by the development on the TEFA web site of a searchable inventory including title, publication, availability/cost, format, target group and evaluative comment of high quality, relevant curriculum resources to support the teaching of Technology in primary schools. Evaluative comments about the relevance and quality of the resource are provided by respected educators, and enhance the usefulness of the resource for teachers.



Project Evaluation	top
at least 50 resources initially located and reviewed a searchable Web site developed the quality of the resources monitored by a consultative group feedback used to optimise the overall design of the site and the format of entries 'hits' on the site indicate the level of awareness and usefulness of the resource



TEFA's Role	top
This project complements many other educational projects which increasingly are making use of the WWW to deliver information to teachers about educational resources. This project continues TEFA's ongoing commitment to support technology teachers in schools and the resource complements existing TEFA web resources and addresses an area of great need in primary education. TEFA has provided the intellectual expertise and experience for the review of the material and access to its extensive network of educators. TEFA maintains the inventory and updates it as necessary, ensuring that it remains current and continues to be a valuable resource for primary technology educators into the future. TEFA promotes the project through its various networks.



Project Scope	top
The target group for the project is all primary technology educators including practising primary teachers, teacher educators, state and territory technology policy officers, curriculum developers and relevant state/territory/national teacher professional associations. It should be noted that almost all primary teachers are required to teach some technology in their classrooms, therefore the potential audience for the resource is every Australian primary teacher. The resource will also of use to primary teacher educators in universities in the training of primary teachers. Because of the electronic delivery of the project access will be available nationally, including regional and country areas, now almost all schools in Australia now have access to the Internet. There are potential benefits for secondary teachers in that many of the resources will be suitable for both sectors.



Project Time Line	top
Aug 1998 project commencement Sept 98/Mar 99 identification, gathering and evaluation of resources Jan/Apr 99 web site and database development April/May 99 project promotion and publicity; Project conclusion and final report Ongoing contribution to resource database by educators



Publicity of Project	top
using educational email lists including TEFA primary technology list prim-techla@rite.ed.qut.edu.au publicised to TEFA affiliated teacher professional associations and members publicised through key primary teacher professional associations linked from key educational web sites such as EdNA and education department sites teacher training institutions through newsletters, journals and professional development courses



More Information About Project	top
For more information about this project please contact TEFA Project Officer Peter Thompson



Technology Education Federation of Australia and Australian Commonwealth Department of Industry, Science and Resources 1999 © TEFA http://www.pa.ash.org.au/tefa Site designed by The Netride