Technology Teaching Today

Technology teaching has come a long way since “manual” and “workshop” classes – cooking, sewing, woodwork and metalwork – at intermediate and secondary school.  It is a discipline that calls upon students’ creative and problem-solving abilities and asks them to apply these skills in a practical setting.

Food and technology teachers often describe their roles as extremely rewarding, with some students shining in the hands-on, can-do atmosphere of their classes in ways other teachers never see. For some students, it’s where new career ambitions and confidence in their abilities are born.

Today, food and technology teachers work in a wide range of areas, including home economics and hospitality; working with "hard materials", including wood, metals and plastics; and "soft materials" such as fabric and textiles.

As well a strong technical expertise, technology teachers need to have a solid understanding of design principles and the theory that underpins their discipline. Above all, they need to inspire young adults to think creatively, laterally and accurately to find solutions to real-life issues. The results can be as exciting for the teachers as they are for the students!

To find out more about technology teaching today, check out http://www.techlink.org.nz/