Techlink :: Latest News :: December 2007 update

Latest News – December, 2007

Web statistics for December (.pdf, 24kb)

Introduction

These pages are updated monthly to keep you informed of communication activities, key initiatives and technology education articles in the media.

New Resources on Techlink

Student Showcase

Heated Slippers
Cayleigh Abel and Sara Pesic, Year 8 Electronics & Soft Materials, Remuera Intermediate School

Council Building Models
Krishneel Kumar, Year 13 ICT Technology, Paraparaumu College

Resene Database
Gemma Gerondis, Year 13 ICT Technology, Paraparaumu College

Searching Techlink
Techlink has experienced enormous growth over the last 12 months and there is a great deal of information available. Many will find it useful to know that Techlink has a search function. This function is useful for locating a specific resource quickly or searching for available resources on a chosen topic.

The search function is located on the very top line of the webpage (above the words "Resources for Teaching Technology").

The search function is particularly useful in locating Technological Practice case studies to support a classroom topic. Say, for example, a teacher was looking for resources relating to a water topic. That teacher can enter "water treatment" into the search function and is given a link to the "Fit to Drink" case study.

For a direct link to the search function, http://www.techlink.org.nz/google.htm.

December Activities
As schools closed for the year the Techlink team focused on gathering and compiling information for the last of the Beacon Practice case studies, which will be published throughout early 2008.

December was also a time for planning and reflection. Techlink's popularity has grown and 2007 brought increases in visitor numbers. In 2006 Techlink averaged 296 visitors per day. In 2007 the daily average grew to 495.

Just as important as increases in website traffic, Techlink visitors also remain on the site for a substantial length of time. On average each visitor to Techlink stays for slightly over 5 minutes. As a general rule, high average visiting times indicate the content is of high quality and useful.

The Student Showcase is Techlink's most popular feature and receives around 4,500 hits per month.

The Curriculum Support information has received great interest since being added in early November. The various PDFs have been downloaded over 1,200 times.

The Beacon Practice case studies have been widely accesses. Since the first case studies were added to Techlink in July 2006 Beacon Practice resources have received over 306,000 hits. The most popular case studies are Queen Margaret College's Wearable Art and Te Papa Souvenirs, Wellington High School's Bright Ideas, Havelock North High School's Programme Planning, Katikati College's Junior ICT Programmes, and Hillcrest High School's ICT Programming.

The Information for Parents section has also been reasonably popular, receiving around 500 hits per month. Many teachers have benefited from the downloadable PDF designed to provide a basis for schools own technology promotions. Visitors are welcome to copy/paste the information and use it for promotional flyers, subject guides, school newsletters, or any other activity that positively promotes technology education.

Feedback
Techlink are always interested in visitor experiences. Your feedback could help Techlink provide better resources. To provide feedback, a five minute Techlink feedback form is available online at http://www.techlink.org.nz/feedback.htm. Alternatively, you can email feedback to Nick at nmaitland@techlink.org.nz and note how you found Techlink useful, how it could be improved, and what new material you think could be added.