Technology

 

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Kaua e rangiruatia te hāpai o te hoe

E kore tō tātou waka e ū ki uta.

At Papatoetoe West School, our students will gain an understanding of the design and technology process.  Technological designs will reflect the physical environment of the school, local community, New Zealand and the wider-world.  They will also embrace the significance of Māori and the multi-cultural diversity within our school when addressing technological needs.  Our goal is to ensure that all learners have the opportunity to become digitally capable individuals.

Technology at this school will prepare students for 21st century competence through providing opportunities to acquire the following range of skills:

• practical and hands-on experience
• critical thinking and problem solving
• learning together through collaboration
• confident users of digital technologies
• innovators and creators of digital solutions and/or technologies
• student agency and self-reflection

Students will gain an understanding that people are at the core of the design process and consideration is given to the impact on cultural, ethical, environmental and economic conditions.   

The participation of technology provides opportunities for students to develop the knowledge, practices and dispositions to equip them as lifelong learners. 

 

Technology is incorporated into each term’s planning with learning experiences provided for all students.

Additionally, one term each year will have a school-wide Technology Focus. (Technological Practice, Technological Knowledge/Nature of Technology). This will be driven through a S.T.E.A.M programme to ensure a rich and engaging learning experience.  Examples of learning experiences include:

• designing and creating objects using a range of materials within the Maker Space and in classroom programmes
• exploring properties of hard materials
• digital technology using iPads and Chromebooks  in a  range of areas such as  iMovie, game building and Puppet Pals
• integrating the use of  coding, robots (spheros, cars and mice) and Lego

We integrate Digital Technologies throughout the year in our class programmes.  Specific STEAM sessions will take place through the ‘Maker Space’ programmes that are available and timetabled for all classes. Coverage of all areas of the Technology Curriculum will be undertaken over a 2 year cycle.  Professional development opportunities are provided to staff  to promote the effective use of iPads and other digital platforms like Seesaw to ensure our students achieve optimum learning experiences  in this area.  Seesaw is used by all classes from Year 0 - Year 6.

Year 4 to 6 students have access to a large number of devices and make use of  Google Classroom, Hapara and some use Google Sites.