ICT linking to NZ Curriculum

Linking ICT to The New Zealand Curriculum

Technology

Technology represents the intellectual resources to reach beyond human possibilities. Adaptation and innovation are important for technological practice. Quality outcomes result from critical and creative thinking. Technology makes use of knowledge and skills with other disciplines. Graphics and visual representation are tools for exploration and communication. Technology affects on the ethical, environmental, political and economic conditions of daily lives.

The learning area comprises three strands of Technological Practice, Technological Knowledge and Nature of Technology. By offering a variety of contexts, teachers help children to notice the links and develop understandings. The children need to access relevant knowledge and skills from other learning areas.

For Technological Practice, students consider the practice of others and their own. They develop understanding of technological concepts and models. The students investigate issues and use design principles to inform their own practice. They also consider legal requirements and codes of practice for the learning environment.

For Technological Knowledge, students develop knowledge of how and why things work. Children know the functioning of technology to evaluate design ideas and purpose of systems and products. It is important for children to understand material properties, uses and development and find out how and why products work the way they do. Also, understanding of parts of systems and how these work together makes children to recognise why the systems operate in the way they do.

For Nature of Technology, children believe in technology as a discipline and understand how it differs from other disciplines. They learn how the technology affects on societies and the environment and try to explore how developments and outcomes are valued by people in different times. As a result, children get involved in current and historical issues and look into future scenarios.

Reference:

Ministry of Education. (2007). The New Zealand Curriculum. Wellington, New Zealand: Learning Media.