GIF Technology Education

The Growth and Innovation Framework (GIF) – Technology Education Initiative was launched in April 2005 to help raise the quality and effectiveness of teaching and learning in senior secondary school technology courses – and so increase student participation.

GIF – Technology Education aims to build teacher capability in technology education through a focus on quality teaching, innovative environments and supportive relationships. It also aims to improve the alignment between secondary and tertiary technology education, and encourage more interaction with the 'enterprise' community.

A number of projects were established, the prominent one being the Beacon Practice Project, (2005-2008) in which participating schools were provided with facilitation and support to work on a range of resource development initiatives. The first phase of the project began in 2005 and involved 13 schools, in Hamilton, Katikati, Pahiatua, Tauranga, Gisborne, Havelock North, Wellington and Christchurch.

In that year a range of other initiatives complemented the Beacon Practice Project. These included the development of guidelines for developers and users of technology education resources, a hui for advisers and facilitators working with technology teachers, and an information day for Heads of Departments and Teachers in Charge of technology in secondary schools, held in Christchurch in conjunction with the biennial 2005 Technology Education New Zealand (TENZ) conference. HOD days are now held every year and in 2009 will again be linked with the TENZ conference.

The second phase of the project began in 2006 with the addition of a further nine schools in Auckland, the Waikato and Nelson.

Resource material produced during the Beacon Practice project can be accessed throughout the website with the major classroom practice case studies available at www.Techlink.org.nz/case-studies/Classroom-practice/index.htm.

In 2005, all secondary schools received a pack of materials with information about GIF – Technology Education projects, and in 2008 the booklet Classroom practice Case Studies in Technology Education was distributed to every school in New Zealand – another booklet is being published in mid 2009.

The Years 7-10 Project began in 2009 and involves six schools, in Auckland and Tauranga. The schools are supported by a facilitator in developing their Technology programmes and resources, and teachers helped with professional development.