TESAC 2013: Connect – Putting the Pieces Together
Wellington: 7-9 October 2013 Meet and greet: Sunday 6 October
Who is this conference for?
If you are reading Techlink then you should probably register for the conference!
This is the inaugural combined Technology subject association conference. It is for anyone in education who has a link to the Technology learning area in the New Zealand Curriculum or to Home Economics.
The programme was released in Week 1 of this term, and the range of workshops, speakers and discussion forums show that there is something for everyone – across all sectors – primary, intermediate, secondary and tertiary.
Professional value
The TESAC (Technology Education Subject Association Coalition) conference organising committee comprises representatives from each of the four Technology subject associations – TENZ, HETTANZ, NZGATTA and NZACDITT. Conference delegates can be sure that there will be plenty of options in the conference programme targeted directly at their area of experience and expertise. However, there is certainly no restriction on who can attend any of the wide range of workshops on offer, and we hope that delegates will register for workshops that are of interest to them and which will provide professional value to take back to their classroom environment.
On the Tuesday of the conference there are two slots for professional learning and development, to be led by the PLD facilitators and other subject experts. The inclusion of this session recognises that not all teachers are able to attend the PLD sessions delivered in the regions through the school year.
There is a series of workshops targeting primary and intermediate teachers, with topics ranging from Technology blogs and e-textiles to building edible gardens!
TRCC is administrating and providing significant funding through the Ministry of Education for the conference, and part of the criteria for this was that the planning committee give assurance that the conference would address a range of Registered teacher criteria (RTCs). RTCs are at the fore for all teachers and the conference planning committee has identified that RTCs 5,6,7 and 9 will be specifically addressed through the conference programme:
5. Show leadership that contributes to effective teaching and learning
6. Conceptualise, plan and implement an appropriate learning programme
7. Promote a collaborative, inclusive and supportive learning environment
9. Respond effectively to the diverse language and cultural experiences, and the varied strengths, interests and needs of individuals and groups of akonga.
Keynote speakers
Bernadette Casey
will open the conference. Bernadette and her business partner Sally Shanks of The Formary focus on sustainability and good design, with a business philosophy that fits well with Technology education and this conference – see www.theformary.com
Kurt Seeman
will be the keynote speaker and a leading member of the cultural responsive panel session. Kurt is well known in the tertiary sector and has done extensive research and teaching on indigenous peoples. Raising achievement for Maori and Pasifika is a national education goal thus the invitation to Kurt Seeman to present at this conference. His initial reaction was "I was impressed by the chokky document – it was well ahead of its time", and he was excited to be invited to be part of our conference. To read of Kurt's work, visit his website at works.bepress.com/kurt_seemann.
Conference dinner
The glamour event of the conference is to be held at Te Papa where alongside good food and wine, there will be a presentation from Te Papa and music by none other than the Wellington Heads (be assured, there is a Technology connection RTCs!).
Book now
The flier with the programme was sent to all schools last week (the mailout from TRCC included fliers for two other conferences each with programmes on the back). Each subject association will be sending out the programme again – probably in larger font!
If you have not yet registered then please do so at www.trcc.org.nz
If there are any queries, my contact is [email protected]
Adrienne Reeves
President HETTANZ Conference convenor TESAC 2013
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