Techlink :: Latest News :: March 2008 update

Latest News – May, 2008

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

Technological Practice case study

Hands-off Healing

Student Showcases

Food and Nutrition Programme, Krystal Va'a, Year 13 Carmel College
Animated Film, Caleb Holland, Year 11 St Patrick's College
Water-sports Rack, Stewart McVinnie, Year 12 Mt Roskill Grammar School
Street Luge, Ethan Shanley, Year 11 St John's College

Updated – New Developments to Techlink's Parent Information
For those wishing to raise the understanding of the parents of their students, Techlink have recently up-dated the resources targeted at informing parents about Technology Education. The comprehensive section includes pieces on what Technology Education is; why it's important; what students learn at each level; skills employers look for; and quotes from experts, students, and parents.
Recently some schools have gained benefit from including links to this section of Techlink in school newsletters. If you are keen to promote Technology to the parents of students in your school direct them to the following link. http://www.techlink.org.nz/info-for-parents
The information is available for download in PDF form so it may be used for the basis of your own Technology promotions. Alternatively, Techlink has provided two fliers that may be downloaded, printed off and distributed as required.

Media
Keep an eye out for Technology stories coming soon in Education Gazette. Three stories are in production. The stories include one on St John's/Morrinsville Colleges street luge project, another on Havelock North High School, and a side bar on Professional Development.
Nick contacted Parents Inc and pitched a story on the Techlink's parents section. Parents Inc are about to finish the current edition and will consider a story in the next edition.
Nick also pitched a story to STAnews.

Student Teacher Feedback
Nick has liaised with some student teachers to gather ways Techlink could provide specific resources. A list of ideas has been gathered and the Techlink team are discussing the possibilities.

In Production
A new brochure is current with designers. This brochure promotes why Technology is important to NZ and is illustrated with a series of projects, most of which interact with clients outside of the school.
This brochure is designed to be distributed by the same channels as the current brochure and will be highly useful for teachers to pass on to parents via students or at career nights.

Contacts
Heather Lowrie, Parents Inc
Lynne Topham, Heaton Normal Intermediate School

In Production
Nick is writing a piece on teachers experience in moving from Technicraft to Technology. Three teachers have been interviewed and transcriptions have been written. The piece will be finished in early June with the aim of publishing on Techlink by the end of June.