Digital technologies curriculum progresses

Work on developing the new digital technologies curriculum content in the Technology Learning Area of The New Zealand Curriculum and the Hangarau Wāhanga Ako in Te Marautanga o Aotearoa is progressing, with the first meeting of the Digital Technologies Hangarau Matihiko Curriculum Reference Group in August 2016.

The reference group is the advisory group set up to facilitate the successful implementation of the new digital technologies and hangarau matihiko curriculum content.

The new digital technologies curriculum content will build on the existing key competencies in The New Zealand Curriculum and Te Marautanga o Aotearoa to further enable young people to develop the skills and confidence to identify local and global problems and opportunities, and design and develop digital solutions in response.

The reference group is made up of English and Māori medium representatives from peak body groups, the education sector, business and industry.

The reference group will contribute to the curriculum design, development and implementation, help to strengthen the capacity and capability of the education profession in the digital technologies and hangarau matihiko space, and connect experts across the education and business sector. The reference group will be meeting regularly until the end of 2017.

As well as the reference group, there are smaller English and Māori medium working groups focusing on the design and development of the new digital technologies and hangarau matihiko curriculum content.

The design working groups are currently developing digital technologies and hangarau matihiko key conceptual ideas, and defining the main and overarching themes.

Once developed, the design working groups will test their thinking with the reference group, educators, students and other stakeholders.

The reference group includes representatives from:

• Core Education
• Early Childhood Advisory Committee
• Education Council of Aotearoa New Zealand
• Education Review Office
• Eureka Trust Alumni
• First Technology
• Kia Ata Mai Educational Trust
• New Zealand Association of Computing Digital Information Technology Teachers
• New Zealand Educational Institute
• New Zealand Principals’ Federation
• New Zealand Qualifications Authority
• New Zealand School Trustees Association
• Professional Learning Association of New Zealand
• Post Primary Teachers’ Association
• Secondary Principals’ Association New Zealand
• Special Education Principals’ Association of New Zealand
• Teacher Educator Forum Aotearoa New Zealand
• Technology Education New Zealand
• Digital Skills Forum