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© State of New South Wales, Department of Education and Communities, 2013

TE

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CHtalktalk

Welcome to the TAS/Technologies

e -Newsletter The TECHTalk e-Newsletter is designed to support

teachers of all TAS/Technology subjects Years 7 — 12.

T e r m 2 2 0 1 3

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© State of New South Wales, Department of Education and Communities, 2013

Inside this issueInside this issue

Contents and Welcome 2

Draft Australian Curriculum: Technologies Consultation Feedback 3

The Australian Curriculum: Technologies—a NSW perspective 4

ESIS (Equipment Safety in Schools) and CSIS (Chemical Safety in Schools) 5

Anaphylaxis Procedures for Schools...a reminder 6

Syllabus amendments—Anaphylaxis 7

Anaphylaxis: Food preparation and sharing student resource 7

HSC Showcases and Exhibitions 2013 Update 8

Resources 9-11

Contact us 12

Welcome back to Term 2 and the new TECHTalk e-newsletter!

In the past our newsletter covered both primary Science and Technology and Years 7-12 TAS/

Technology subjects.

However, we have a new structure in which Secondary Education is separate from Early Learning

and Primary Education. So while we will continue to work together in many aspects to support the

K-12 continuum of learning, our roles as advisors will be more specialised with a specific primary

and secondary focus.

Ultimately, our role is still supporting Regions and teachers. Reduced capacity makes one-to-one

delivery of professional learning very difficult. Technology using videoconferencing, Adobe Connect

and similar can work brilliantly but is not always the best option. So when needed, consider using

your school education group, cluster, professional association or other network to create a group

of schools/teachers who require face-to-face professional learning.

While TAS/Technologies will not have new syllabuses to implement in the immediate future, the

draft Australian Curriculum: Technologies will eventually impact on Technology education in NSW

in some form. The focus on Digital Education should have us all reviewing our current programs

and teaching practice and improving skills where possible in preparation for whatever may come!

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© State of New South Wales, Department of Education and Communities, 2013

Draft Australian Curriculum: Technologies

Consultation Feedback

The draft Australian Curriculum: Technologies was released for national consultation on 20 February

2013. It is available for viewing or downloading from the Australian Curriculum consultation website.

The NSW Department of Education and Communities conducted

extensive consultation with teachers, school leaders, regions, and

professional associations. This included a series of videoconfer-

ences and focus groups and an on-line survey. In addition, a Power-

Point presentation outlining the main features of the draft curricu-

lum was produced and is still available for use on the Curriculum

Support website.

The Department’s survey is now closed and the responses have

been collated and analysed. Feedback from the survey, the focus

groups and the videoconferences were incorporated in the Depart-

ment’s response to the draft Australian Curriculum: Technologies.

The Board of Studies will incorporate our response as part of the

final combined NSW response and present this to ACARA in May.

So, what did all this consultation reveal? The main issues raised as

areas of concern were:

The separation of Technologies into 2 subjects—Design and Technologies and Digital Technologies

without adequate justification

The depth and complexity of the Digital Technologies content

Extensive professional learning implications for primary and many TAS teachers

The over representation of food related areas in the prescribed contexts for Design and Technolo-

gies possibly at the expense of other material or technologies specialisations.

ACARA now has the task of taking all feedback on board and refining the draft curriculum to reflect the

national opinion of stakeholders. The final curriculum is expected to be released in December 2013.

Further information about the Australian

Curriculum: Technologies including a time-

line of the writing and implementation

schedule, can be found on the ACARA web-

site.

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© State of New South Wales, Department of Education and Communities, 2013

The Australian Curriculum

Technologies—a NSW perspective

There has been much confusion amongst teachers and school leaders about the

draft Australian Curriculum: Technologies—when and how will it be implemented

in NSW?.

In the memorandum to principals issued by the Board of Studies on 31 July 2012 we

were reminded that for all subjects other than the four Phase 1 subjects (English,

Mathematics, Science, History) it was “business as usual” until otherwise advised

by the BOS. This includes all TAS/Technology subjects.

In NSW we will not use the Australian Curriculum directly. We must wait until syllabuses incorporating

the Australian Curriculum content are developed by the Board of Studies and approved by the Minister

for implementation in NSW schools. That is because The Board of Studies is responsible under the Educa-

tion Act 1990 for developing the curriculum for Kindergarten to Year 12 in NSW.

Courses of study in a key learning area are to be based on, and taught in accordance with, a sylla-

bus developed or endorsed by the Board and approved by the Minister. Education Act 1990 – Part 3

Division 1

Any syllabus developed or endorsed by the Board for a particular course of study is to indicate the

aims, objectives and desired outcomes in terms of knowledge and skills that should be acquired

by children at various levels of achievement by the end of specified stages in the course, and any

practical experience that children should acquire by the end of any such stage. Education Act 1990 -

Sect 14

At this stage NSW has made no commitment to the implementation of the Australian Curriculum for

Phase 2 and Phase 3 subjects.

The Board of Studies will follow its regular cycle of curriculum evaluation and review which will

identify priorities for curriculum renewal. When a current syllabus or learning area is identified for

renewal the Board will take the opportunity to incorporate Australian curriculum content. NSW

BOS Memorandum To Principals July 2012

Unlike the Phase 1 subjects this may occur over a period of time rather than as

one rollout.

So while many of your work colleagues are busy familiarising themselves with the

new NSW syllabuses for the Australian Curriculum to be implemented in 2014

(English, Mathematics, Science, History) all TAS/Technology subjects will continue

to use the current BOS syllabuses until otherwise officially notified by the Board.

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© State of New South Wales, Department of Education and Communities, 2013

ESIS (Equipment Safety in Schools) and

CSIS (Chemical Safety in Schools)

Most TAS/Technology teachers are familiar with these sites and know how to access and use them to find

accurate and current information about tools, machinery and chemicals we use in the classroom. However,

they can be tricky to find and navigate if you haven’t used them before.

If you access ESIS through the portal you will only see the ESIS online database. By following the path below

to the Assets Management page you can see both ESIS and CSIS as well as other related resources.

The ESIS site replaced the old “blue book” and provides generic as-

sessment advice, usage controls for various cohorts, instruction and

level of supervision required and personal protective equipment

needed. Each section can be printed as pdf. The Recent updates sec-

tion provides information about new equipment added or changes to

usage controls. The video that walks you through how to use the ESIS

site is worth watching.

Follow the step by step links to the DEC intranet from home page to the safety and compliance page.

DEC Intranet Link – Homepage: https://detwww.det.nsw.edu.au/welcome.htm

DEC A to Z Directorate Page: https://detwww.det.nsw.edu.au/lists/directoratesaz/index.htm

DEC Asset Management Page: https://detwww.det.nsw.edu.au/assetmanagement/index.htm

The side menu (left nav) of the Asset Management page has the following tabs

Memoranda and Circulars

Safety and Compliance

Click the Safety and Compliance tab to display all the compliance tabs including following:

Equipment Safety in Schools (ESIS)

Chemical Safety in Schools (CSIS)

URL: Chemwatch

URL: CSIS Online

Chemical Safety in Schools FAQ

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© State of New South Wales, Department of Education and Communities, 2013

Anaphylaxis Procedures for Schools...a reminder.

Anaphylaxis is a severe and sometimes sudden allergic reaction. It can occur when a sus-

ceptible person is exposed to an allergen (such as a food or an insect sting). Anaphylaxis is

potentially life threatening and always requires an emergency response. Medical advice

suggests that the incidence of anaphylaxis is increasing.

The new Anaphylaxis Procedures for Schools were released last November. The Procedures

are mandatory for all government schools and should be used in conjunction with the in-

formation on the Department's student health web pages when planning to meet the

health care needs of students diagnosed at risk of anaphylaxis.

The Director-General has mandated the completion of anaphylaxis e-training for all perma-

nent, temporary and casual employees who work in schools. The e-training does not re-

place specialist anaphylaxis training (including practical instruction of how to use the

adrenaline autoinjector) conducted where students are diagnosed at risk of anaphylaxis.

The most effective approach to preventing anaphylaxis is the avoidance of known aller-

gens. Schools need to develop and implement strategies that minimise the exposure of a student who is diagnosed at

risk of anaphylaxis to known allergens within the school environment and during school re-

lated activities. Further information is provided in Appendix 8 and Appendix 9 of Anaphylaxis

Procedures for Schools.

There are 9 foods that account for 90% of all allergic reactions. They are:

peanuts

tree nuts (includes almonds, brazil nuts, cashews, chestnuts, hazelnuts, hickory nuts,

macadamia nuts, pecans, pine nuts, pistachios, walnuts and others)

milk

egg

fish

shellfish

sesame

soy

wheat

While deaths from food allergy are rare in Australia, peanuts have been responsible for the

greatest number of fatal reactions.

Students and their parents will not always be aware that they have a severe allergy.

To minimise the risk of exposure to a high risk allergen, schools should avoid the use of peanuts, peanut butter or

other peanut products in curricular or extra-curricular activities. They should also review curriculum materials to

make sure that they do not advocate the use of peanuts, peanut butter or other peanut products.

These precautions apply to all schools whether or not

any student is known to be at risk from anaphylaxis.

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© State of New South Wales, Department of Education and Communities, 2013

Syllabus amendments—Anaphylaxis

The Board of Studies NSW have amended the Technology (Mandatory) Years 7-8 sylla-

bus and the Food Technology Years 7-10 syllabus to include a note to teachers about

practical experiences:

Teachers should be aware that students may have food allergies that can result in

anaphylaxis, a severe and sometimes sudden allergic reaction which is potentially life-

threatening and always requires an emergency response. This is an important consid-

eration in selecting foods to be handled and consumed.

In the Food Technology Years 7-10 syllabus an additional Students learn to point has

also been added in the Core: Nutrition and consumption section:

identify dietary strategies that would be adopted by individuals with food allergies

In Food Technology Life Skills Outcome LS3.2: A student recognises the impact of food habits and choices on health has

been amended to include reference to food intolerances/allergies and allergic reactions.

Please be aware of these amendments and ensure they are implemented in teaching and learning.

Anaphylaxis: Food preparation and sharing

By now we all recognize the need for students to be aware of the risks associated with se-

vere food allergies and to learn how to respond in an emergency situation. Hopefully you

will have looked at the student resource—Anaphylaxis: Food preparation and sharing and

will have decided to use it with your Year7/8 Technology (Mandatory) class. Feedback from

teachers who have used the resource is very positive.

This online learning resource is suitable for Year 7-10 students who study subjects with a

food preparation and/or food sharing component. It consists of factual information, scenar-

ios, questions and activities exploring allergies and anaphylaxis as well as issues surround-

ing food sharing. It has been developed by the Department to:

raise student awareness of food allergies and recognition of anaphylaxis as a potentially life threatening condition

increase student knowledge of the signs and symptoms of an anaphylactic reaction

ensure students know how to respond if an anaphylactic reaction is suspected

raise student awareness of issues surrounding food sharing and the implications for students diagnosed as at risk

of anaphylaxis.

By having students work through the resource in Year7/8 Technology (Mandatory) we can ensure that all of our stu-

dents will have a knowledge and understanding of food allergies and be better prepared to deal with an emergency.

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© State of New South Wales, Department of Education and Communities, 2013

DesignTECH

DesignTECH is an annual

exhibition of outstanding

Major Design Projects from

the 2012 HSC Design and

Technology cohort. Open

at the Powerhouse Muse-

um Sydney until 12 May

2013.

Regional tour dates and venues:.

Lovett Gallery, Newcastle Region Library

Laman Street, Newcastle 17 May – 8 June

Tamworth Regional Gallery

866 Peel Street, Tamworth 14 June - 13 July

See BOS exhibitions website for booking details.

InTech

InTech is an exhibi-

tion of outstanding

Major projects from

2012 HSC Industrial

Technology stu-

dents. The exhibi-

tion will be held at

the Sydney Timber

and Working with Wood Show from 26 –28 July

2013 at the Sydney Showground, Homebush. All

focus areas of Industrial Technology are represent-

ed in the exhibition: Timber Products and Furni-

ture, Automotive, Electronics, Graphics, Metal and

Engineering and Multimedia.

Texstyle

Texstyle is the annual exhibition of outstanding Major Projects from 2012 HSC Textiles

and Design. This year it will be held at

Newcastle 15 – 18 August

Craft and Quilt Fair:

Darling Harbour, Sydney 12 – 16 June

Canberra 15 – 18 August

For more information go to www.teansw.com.au or

email tea@teansw.com.au

HSC Showcases and Exhibitions 2013 Update

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© State of New South Wales, Department of Education and Communities, 2013

ResourcesResources--

Advances in Solar TechnologyAdvances in Solar Technology

Newcastle Herald, Newcastle NSW 19 Mar 2013

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© State of New South Wales, Department of Education and Communities, 2013

ResourcesResources

http://www.abc.net.au/news/specials/future-of-food/

http://www.growingcareers.com.au/

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/

educationnews/10016110/New-DandT-curriculum-axed-

over-dumbing-down-fears.html

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© State of New South Wales, Department of Education and Communities, 2013

Seafood Industry Partnerships in Schools Seafood Industry Partnerships in Schools

SIPSSIPS offers Australian school students an ‘up close and personal’ look at life in the seafood indus-offers Australian school students an ‘up close and personal’ look at life in the seafood indus-try, while giving those who work in the industry the opportunity to share their knowledge and try, while giving those who work in the industry the opportunity to share their knowledge and passion with the next generation.passion with the next generation.

Schools are partnered with a seafood industry worker, such as Schools are partnered with a seafood industry worker, such as a commercial fisherman or an oyster farmer. Partnerships can a commercial fisherman or an oyster farmer. Partnerships can be tailored to suit different needs and interests, and may in-be tailored to suit different needs and interests, and may in-clude classroom visits, excursions (e.g. to a wharf, aquaculture clude classroom visits, excursions (e.g. to a wharf, aquaculture facility, seafood processing facility or seafood business) and facility, seafood processing facility or seafood business) and ongoing contact between partners.ongoing contact between partners.

For For more infomore info contact NSW SIPS Project Officercontact NSW SIPS Project Officer jane@oceanwatch.org.au jane@oceanwatch.org.au Ph: 02 9660 2262/ Mob: 0401 997 702Ph: 02 9660 2262/ Mob: 0401 997 702

Inspirational Design and Inspirational Design and

Technology work in the UKTechnology work in the UK

Be inspired by the work of students from the Richard Lander Be inspired by the work of students from the Richard Lander School in the south of England, a Specialist Technology Col-School in the south of England, a Specialist Technology Col-lege offering specialist curriculum areas are: Science, Maths, Information Communication Tech-lege offering specialist curriculum areas are: Science, Maths, Information Communication Tech-nology and Design Technology. View the final year project nology and Design Technology. View the final year project work of Year 11 students by clicking through the work of Year 11 students by clicking through the DT GalleryDT Gallery..

Feel the enthusiasm for design from students, teachers and Feel the enthusiasm for design from students, teachers and the wider community generated by the the wider community generated by the DesignEd. In CornwallDesignEd. In Cornwall design event developed design event developed to raise the achieve-to raise the achieve-ment in DT across the ment in DT across the Country.Country.

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© State of New South Wales, Department of Education and Communities, 2013

TAS/Technologies curriculum contact:

Sandra McKee

TAS Advisor Years 7-12 Secondary Education Directorate Learning and Leadership Portfolio Level 3, Oxford Street, Darlinghurst, 2010, NSW T: (02) 9266 8514

sandra.mckee4@det.nsw.edu.au

The non-DEC products and events listed in this eNewsletter are to be used at the reader’s discretion. The inclusion of product and event information is not an

endorsement by the DEC.

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