The Connected series
Resource Review
What do making toys, diarrhea, a space mission to Jupiter, and designing a tapa cloth have in common? Well, they are all Connected – that is, they are all topics in the Ministry of Education free educational resource booklet series of that name. And if you are planning a Technology, or cross-curricular unit, then they come highly recommended.
The best Technology learning experiences come out of authentic contexts – high-interest, real-life stories, articles, and activities – and this is what the Connected series is all about. The back-page description on the booklets says it all:
Connected shows science, technology, and mathematics in the context of students' everyday lives. The articles and stories are designed to appeal to students by reflecting their interests and experiences, expanding their knowledge and understanding, and engaging their imaginations.
Connected booklets are designed for students working at Levels 1-4 of the New Zealand Curriculum. Each year has three publications, each targeting a different mix within this range – students at Years 3-4, 4-6 and 5-8.
The focus is cross-curricular, with Technology, Mathematics, and Science contexts providing rich resources for effective, integrated learning. Full teacher notes accompany the items, with curriculum-related guidance providing background information, key ideas, strategies, and references – see www.tki.org.nz/r/technology/connected/2009/index_e.php.
Connected's stories and articles assist the teacher to facilitate student progress towards technological (and scientific and mathematical) literacy through appropriate pedagogy in a supportive environment. As detailed in the introduction to the teacher's support materials, this supportive environment provides learning opportunities that:
- make connections to prior learning and experience;
- facilitate shared learning;
- encourage reflective thought and action; and
- enhance the relevance of new learning.
For teachers who wish to access exciting and topical contexts to supplement units, or to initiate them, then Connected is to be recommended. To paraphrase the stated intention of Connected 3, 1998, these activities are designed to make Science, Maths and Technology fun.
Connected is published and distributed free to schools on behalf of the Ministry of Education by Learning Media Ltd, Box 3293, Wellington 6140, New Zealand.
Additional copies of Connected may be ordered from Ministry of Education Customer Services, freephone 0800 660 662, freefax 0800 660 663, e-mail [email protected] or online at www.thechair.minedu.govt.nz.
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