Technology

What is technology about?

Kaua e rangiruatia te hāpai o te hoe;
e kore tō tātou waka e ū ki uta.

Technology is intervention by design. It uses intellectual and practical resources to create technological outcomes, which expand human possibilities by addressing needs and realising opportunities.

Design is characterised by innovation and adaptation and is at the heart of technological practice. It is informed by critical and creative thinking and specific design processes. Effective and ethical design respects the unique relationship that New Zealanders have with their physical environment and embraces the significance of Māori culture and world views in its practice and innovation.

Technology makes enterprising use of knowledge, skills and practices for exploration and communication, some specific to areas within technology and some from other disciplines. These include digitally-aided design, programming, software development, various forms of technological modelling, and visual literacy – the ability to make sense of images and the ability to make images that make sense.

Why study technology?

With its focus on design thinking, technology education supports students to be innovative, reflective and critical in designing new models, products, software, systems and tools to benefit people while taking account of their impact on cultural, ethical, environmental and economic conditions.

The aim is for students to develop broad technological knowledge, practices and dispositions that will equip them to participate in society as informed citizens and provide a platform for technology-related careers. Students learn that technology is the result of human activity by exploring stories and experiences from their heritage, from Aotearoa New Zealand’s rich cultural environment, and from contemporary examples of technology. As they learn in technology, students draw on and further develop the key competencies.

Technology is associated with the transformation of energy, information, and materials. Technological areas include structural, control, food, and information and communications technology and biotechnology. Relevant contexts can be as varied as computer game software, food products, worm farming, security systems, costumes and stage props, signage, and taonga.

Technology Learning area structure

The technology learning area has three strands: Technological Practice, Technological Knowledge, and Nature of Technology. These three strands are embedded within each of five technological areas:

• computational thinking for digital technologies
• designing and developing digital outcomes
• designing and developing materials outcomes
• designing and developing processed outcomes
• design and visual communication.

The following diagram illustrates the structure of the learning area.

In years 11–13, students work with fewer contexts in greater depth. This requires them to continue to draw fully on learning from other disciplines. For example, students working with materials and/or food technology will need to refer to chemistry, and students working on an architectural project will find that an understanding of art history is invaluable. Some schools may offer courses such as electronics and horticulture as technology specialisations.

Learning for senior students opens up pathways that can lead to technology-related careers. Students may access the workplace learning opportunities available in a range of industries or move on to further specialised tertiary study.

• Grid
• List

Courses in this Learning Area

Copywriter, Survey Technician, Agricultural/Horticultural Scientist, Mechanical Engineering Technician, Paramedic, Anaesthetic Technician, Business Analyst, Software Developer, Patternmaker, Aquaculture Farmer, Marine Biologist, Medical Physicist, Electronics Engineer, Bank Worker, Biochemist, Biomedical Engineer, Biotechnologist, Fabrication Engineer, Cabinet Maker, Clinical Physiologist, Farm Assistant, Civil Engineering Technician/Draughtsperson, Medical Laboratory Scientist, Cutter, Fashion Designer, Sewing Machinist, Diver, Telecommunications Technician, Information Technology Helpdesk/Support Technician, Information Technology Manager, Event Manager, Technical Writer, Systems Administrator, Oral Health Therapist, Medical Imaging Technologist, General Practitioner, Electronics Trades Worker, Electrical Engineering Technician, Lift Technician, Information Technology Architect, Exhibition and Collections Technician, Welder, Ranger, Marine Engineer, Food Technologist, Forestry Scientist, Furniture Finisher, Geophysicist, Health Services Manager, Radiation Therapist, Purchasing/Supply Officer, Production Manager, Project Manager, Recruitment Consultant, Secondary School Teacher, User Experience Designer, Test Analyst, Network Administrator, Geospatial Specialist, Security Analyst, Penetration Tester, Security Consultant, Scrum Master, Garment Technician, Fire Engineer,