D&T issues

Nuffield Primary Solutions fuels Australian initiative
Author: David Barlex

www.bne.catholic.edu.au

The Science, Technology and Society (STS) approach to developing an integrated approach to learning in the key areas Science, Technology, Study of Society & Environment being piloted in Brisbane has been heavily influenced by the Nuffield approach to primary design & technology.

Louise Hoey presented a paper at the 3rd Biennial International Conference on Technology Education Research in Queensland, Australia describing how a unit of work was developed to enable year 1 and 2 pupils to design, make and appraise a storyteller's aid through a sequence of Small Tasks leading to a Big Task.

The results were impressive. Pupils normally disengaged became more motivated, engaged and proud of their work. The unit was sufficiently broad to encompass the three learning areas naturally so links did not have to be forced. The unit supported pupils in being autonomous and in charge of their own learning.

The approach enabled the teachers to observe and to assess the pupils easily providing a vehicle for finding out what they could do rather than what they could not. Given the crowded nature of our primary curriculum a unit of work that addresses several areas is particularly useful. It will be interesting to see further units to address several subjects simultaneously.

To find out more about this work and future developments contact Louise Hoey at lhoey@bne.catholic.edu.au

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