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 are underway, spearheaded by the Beacon Practice Project, which provides support to teachers who have demonstrated best practice in technology education. Participating schools have been provided with funding over a two-year period to release teachers from the classroom and provide outside facilitation and support through the Project's Professional Support Facilitation. The first phase of the project began in 2005 and involves seven initiatives in 13 schools, in Hamilton, Katikati, Pahiatua, Tauranga, Gisborne, Havelock North, Wellington and Christchurch. Case studies of the classroom and technological practice of these schools are being published throughout 2006.
In that year a range of other initiatives complemented the Beacon Practice Project. These include 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. In term 2 2005, all secondary schools received a pack of materials with information about GIF - Technology Education projects.
The second phase of the project began in 2006 with the addition of a further nine schools in Auckland, the Waikato and Nelson.