title: From Technology National Curriculum statement through to sustaining classroom practice and enhancing student learning: the New Zealand experience

authors: Jones, Alister

abstract: This paper will introduce four key aspects of the implementation of a national technology curriculum. Firstly, we will discuss how the structure of the New Zealand Technology Curriculum (Technology in the New Zealand Curriculum, Ministry of Education, 1995) attempted to reflect the nature of technology and technological practice. The structure of the curriculum in terms of the broad outcomes and technological areas will be highlighted. The curriculum statement provides a framework within which students can develop an understanding of past technologies as well as those being currently developed in their local community, nationally or internationally. Secondly, a discussion of the need for research of appropriate models of teacher development is presented. Thirdly, an example of a classroom resource that fosters school-enterprise links is discussed. Finally, this paper will examine how developing teachers’ formative assessment practices in technology can both sustain classroom practice in technology as well as enhance student learning. Highlighted is the development of both the teachers and students conceptual and procedural technological knowledge base, both, so that classroom practice in technology was more effective and sustainable. The role of research and development in implementation and the way this has informed classroom practice in the New Zealand context, will be highlighted throughout the paper.

text: From Technology National Curriculum statement through to sustaining classroom practice and enhancing student learning: the New Zealand experience This paper will introduce four key aspects of the implementation of a national technology curriculum. Firstly, we will discuss how the structure of the New Zealand Technology Curriculum (Technology in the New Zealand Curriculum, Ministry of Education, 1995) attempted to reflect the nature of technology and technological practice. The structure of the curriculum in terms of the broad outcomes and technological areas will be highlighted. The curriculum statement provides a framework within which students can develop an understanding of past technologies as well as those being currently developed in their local community, nationally or internationally. Secondly, a discussion of the need for research of appropriate models of teacher development is presented. Thirdly, an example of a classroom resource that fosters school-enterprise links is discussed. Finally, this paper will examine how developing teachers’ formative assessment practices in technology can both sustain classroom practice in technology as well as enhance student learning. Highlighted is the development of both the teachers and students conceptual and procedural technological knowledge base, both, so that classroom practice in technology was more effective and sustainable. The role of research and development in implementation and the way this has informed classroom practice in the New Zealand context, will be highlighted throughout the paper.

year: 2000

title: Student perceptions of higher education science and engineering learning communities

authors: Cronje, Tom

subjects: higher education

abstract: This paper presents student perceptions of higher education science and engineering learning communities derived from a cross-case analysis of four case studies across the New Zealand university and polytechnic sectors. Here we explore student expectations and experiences of the higher education sector and canvas their views as to the infrastructure and resources in their institutions of study, and how they see their learning serves their careers' aims. Student perceptions of pedagogies employed in their institutions along with their preferred pedagogies follows, including staff-student interactions and consideration of the importance of practical skill development. The paper finishes by considering student perceptions of support structures and an analysis of their understanding of aspects of the nature of science (NoS) and engineering. The research findings suggest the students feel they become more independent and responsible for their own learning, enjoy smaller class sizes and interactive learning activities such as practical work and tutorials, and they stressed the importance of establishing good relationships with their teachers. Polytechnic students were more positive about their learning and felt the practice features of their learning led to enhanced career prospects. Students from university and polytechnic sectors were aware of formal learning support structures but only used them as a last resort, instead they first worked with peers and teachers.

text: Student perceptions of higher education science and engineering learning communities This paper presents student perceptions of higher education science and engineering learning communities derived from a cross-case analysis of four case studies across the New Zealand university and polytechnic sectors. Here we explore student expectations and experiences of the higher education sector and canvas their views as to the infrastructure and resources in their institutions of study, and how they see their learning serves their careers' aims. Student perceptions of pedagogies employed in their institutions along with their preferred pedagogies follows, including staff-student interactions and consideration of the importance of practical skill development. The paper finishes by considering student perceptions of support structures and an analysis of their understanding of aspects of the nature of science (NoS) and engineering. The research findings suggest the students feel they become more independent and responsible for their own learning, enjoy smaller class sizes and interactive learning activities such as practical work and tutorials, and they stressed the importance of establishing good relationships with their teachers. Polytechnic students were more positive about their learning and felt the practice features of their learning led to enhanced career prospects. Students from university and polytechnic sectors were aware of formal learning support structures but only used them as a last resort, instead they first worked with peers and teachers.

year: 2008

title: Māori, Tongan and Chinese households: Medications and elder care

authors: Nikora, Linda Waimarie

subjects: medications

abstract: Research reveals that medicines are frequently not taken as intended, stockpiled for future use, discontinued when symptoms fade or passed to others. Medications are material objects with therapeutic uses that enter into and take on meaning within people’s lives. In this way they are culturally embedded phenomena that carry meanings and shape social relationships and practices. The symbolic meanings given to medications and cultural relations are important for understanding variations in medication practices. Households with elders often contain more medications and have more complex age-related medical conditions. In households where members are engaged in the reciprocation of care among two or three generations, medications within and between these relationships take on a range of dynamic meanings. In this paper, we explore how interactions between household members affect medicines-taking practices of elders and their families from three cultural groups: Māori, Tongan and Chinese. This research was funded by the Health Research Council of New Zealand and the Marsden Fund of the Royal Society of New Zealand.

text: Māori, Tongan and Chinese households: Medications and elder care Research reveals that medicines are frequently not taken as intended, stockpiled for future use, discontinued when symptoms fade or passed to others. Medications are material objects with therapeutic uses that enter into and take on meaning within people’s lives. In this way they are culturally embedded phenomena that carry meanings and shape social relationships and practices. The symbolic meanings given to medications and cultural relations are important for understanding variations in medication practices. Households with elders often contain more medications and have more complex age-related medical conditions. In households where members are engaged in the reciprocation of care among two or three generations, medications within and between these relationships take on a range of dynamic meanings. In this paper, we explore how interactions between household members affect medicines-taking practices of elders and their families from three cultural groups: Māori, Tongan and Chinese. This research was funded by the Health Research Council of New Zealand and the Marsden Fund of the Royal Society of New Zealand.

year: 2010