Technology

Future-focused digital era

Globalisation and technological change are two key features that are changing and shaping our lives. To participate in this future focused digital era, students will need to adapt to change and think critically and creatively. They will need to be resilient, work collaboratively, to solve problems and share ideas and feedback. In Technology, students use project management tools to plan, design, monitor, test and report on their outcome.

New Zealand's future relies on encouraging young New Zealanders to pursue careers with a technological focus. Technology education not only gives all students a level of technological literacy but also provides senior secondary students with an educational foundation for technology-related careers.

Technology in the New Zealand curriculum is a dynamic and future-focused framework for teaching and learning in technology. It gives students challenging and exciting opportunities to build their skills and knowledge as they develop a range of outcomes through technological practice. They bring together practical and intellectual resources in creative and informed ways to engage with the many technological challenges of today's world and of those in the future.

Junior Technology

The junior Technology programme at St Mary’s College covers a range of technological areas such as Materials Technology, Design and Visual Communication and Digital Technologies where students learn DDDO (Developing and Designing a Digital Outcome) and CT (Computational Thinking). As well as creating and producing student-orientated technological outcomes, the students learn vital skills such as communication, creative thinking, problem-solving, collaborative learning and self management.

Diverse and multi-skilled

As Technology is such a diverse and multi-skilled subject it is easy to incorporate the New Zealand curriculum into our learning experiences. Technology has natural and fluid relationships with other STEM subjects such as the Sciences, Engineering, Mathematics and the Arts.

Design and creation

Current Year 7 and 8 projects incorporate a range of technological areas through creating soft toys for Materials Technology and designing and producing a story using Photoshop and Scratch programming for DDDO and CT. Year 9 spend time in the individual technological areas with 3D modelling, desktop publishing, robotics and creating unique bag designs for a stakeholder.

Choosing a project

Year 10 students can choose an option subject from:

• Design and Visual Communication, where the focus is on graphic, product and spatial design
• Materials Technology, where students explore ways to apply design to materials, research elements and principles of design, study designers’ work and explore and develop a product suitable for interior design, or
• Digital Technologies, where students focus on DDDO and CT. Students will undertake project management and future problem solving skills to develop creative solutions that link the end user with the product or innovation, e.g. e-publications, media design using 3D printing, websites and robotics. 

Senior Subjects (Year 11 to 13)

Digital Technologies

The course in Digital Technologies aims to undertake technological practice in order to develop and implement a digital technology based solution. Students will engage in the process of developing a brief, solution design, production and evaluation. They will explore the design and production process as applied to their own creative project. Digital skills enable students to participate in a future knowledge society. Students develop original digital media outcomes using project management skills. They will develop skills in computer graphics, e-publications, animation, web design, and film production.

Design and Visual Communication 

Design and Visual Communication is an NCEA course focused on product, spatial and graphic design for Years 11, 12 and 13. One or two major projects are completed throughout the year for internal assessment and a selection of work will be used for the external assessments at the end of the year.

Students will gain experience in digital and hand sketching, rendering, CAD and physical model making. They will expand on their visual literacy abilities by exploring a variety of technical drawing skills that will be developed throughout the course. This subject is for students who have a flair for design and attention to detail. It will also appeal to those who enjoy the challenges of critical thinking and problem solving when developing products, visuals and spaces for people.

Computer Science Coding

Computer Science Coding enables students to develop skills and knowledge of tools and techniques in the areas of digital media and computer programming. Students will apply their knowledge and skills as they engage in technological practice to develop their own computer program, game and database projects.

Fashion and Interior Design

This programme is offered to Years 11, 12 and 13. Students have the option of working with textiles in a fashion or interior design context. The focus is on the design process of planning, brief development, modelling and prototyping. Students are encouraged to research into wider aspects of technological processes such as sustainable production methods and social impacts. Projects involve evaluating their own solutions in response to needs and opportunities.  Students are supported to develop the skills needed to achieve quality outcomes. This course is a good foundation for a Bachelor of Design degree.

Taking ownership of learning

We believe it is important for students to take ownership of their learning and we aim to provide many opportunities for students to use critical thinking to make personal decisions and individualise their projects within an authentic context.