The St Patrick's College/SurveyLab Link
The Link
The first time St Patrick's HOD Technology Chris Smyth met Leon and Jeremy, he had to convince them that they had something to offer. At that meeting – in the company's premises – Chris and the then-HOD Brian Allen, explained how the technology curriculum worked and their understanding of the technology process. After Leon and Jeremy explained how they went about designing, manufacturing, and developing their products, it was clear the two approaches didn't seem to match.
"They told us they didn't fit into our mould. What we would call a 'brief' they would call a 'No 1 Document'. We had to convince them that while their terminology may differ, their real-world technological practice would be hugely beneficial for our students to see and understand. We hoped that having real, living breathing technologists in direct contact with our students would support the teaching and learning in our senior courses; specifically the Year 11 mechatronics projects."
Finally, Leon and Jeremy agreed to come and talk to the students about SurveyLab and how it went about the process of product development. During their hour-long presentation, they used a number of prototype devices they had brought along as illustrations. The pair's "natural delivery" was a hit, Chris says.
"They showed the whole process and tried to describe it in the same terms that we use with our students. They showed how they went from scribbling down initial ideas through to the final prototype. They also showed us how they approached the electronics in a modular fashion. The students particularly enjoyed the opportunity to take a close, hands-on look at the prototypes and to talk one-on-one with Leon and Jeremy."
When the presentation was repeated the following year, it was videotaped. The tape has been an invaluable classroom resource, Chris says. He uses it to teach product development. Students at various levels have used the tape for case-study material supporting their own tech practice and it contributes to external assessment evidence. The tape is also used in Graphics classes.
Bouyed by the success of the initial presentation, Leon and Jeremy's committed themselves to making fortnightly workshop and classroom visits. "Increased contact meant we could actually get to know the kid's names," says Leon.
During their visits Jeremy and Leon worked alongside the students in the workshop, helping out with electrical and mechanical problems, giving them pointers and ideas, and tried to introduce or reinforce the notion of project management.
We'd ask the students what they wanted to build, then ask them how they were going to do it," Leon says. "They may have been introduced to the [technology] method at the beginning of the project, but there's nothing like having a bit of a stock-take in the middle of a project." Leon says the boys sort of 'got it' – he particularly remembers one student who arrived at an ingenious solution to his problem, but only after Herculean feats of trial and error.
