Curriculum links: Level 5/6
The learning environment
In the planning and delivery of the Bright Ideas unit, the teacher:
- established an environment that encouraged and supported student innovation, through:
- a conscious effort to create and maintain a positive classroom atmosphere and thus develop the level of trust between teacher and students as the year progressed.
- a PowerPoint presentation broadening students initial vision of design possibilities.
- construction of a range of different lighting solutions for student consideration.
- an introductory lighting project to broaden students understanding of 'lighting' and open their thinking on potential lighting solutions.
- the encouragement of students to experiment with and test appropriateness of a variety of materials.
- project management to retain authenticity throughout development process.
- the setting of high expectations in terms of the quality of the final outcomes required.
- designing and developing a range of potential lighting solutions to stimulate discussion and encourage lateral thinking.
- provided a context for students to undertake technological practice, through:
- choosing lighting chosen the context for the years programme.
- selecting an authentic client to establish reality in the development work.
- supported student learning as they structured and planned activities as required to enable them to undertake their technological practice to develop an appropriate outcome, by:
- designing and providing templates to scaffold student documentation and decision making.
- having regular individual consultation with students to monitor individual progress.
- making students aware of/ planning to meet regulatory requirements from the outset.
- ensuring that on-going short to mid term planning and reflection was recorded in students' technology diary entries, including what was achieved, what was to be done next and required resources, and how the applicable codes of practice were to be met.
- supported students in accessing resources, by:
- providing them with opportunities for ongoing access to tertiary students and 'industry experts' as mentors.
- advising individual students on material considerations as requested.
- arranging for electrical certification of lighting solutions.
- provided opportunities for students to access key and wider community stakeholders in a safe and appropriate manner, by:
- having the whole class working with a common authentic client.
- Arranging class visits to venue and programming feedback from client.
- facilitating email contact between students and client.
- organising a presentation evening at the venue – an opportunity to gain wider stakeholder (customer) feedback.
