MCEETYA

"Curriculum Corporation"

Year Level: Teacher resource
Access: Internet
URL: http://www.curriculum.edu.au/ccsite/default.asp?id=19950#technology

SUMMARY
Curriculum Corporation is a partnership of all Australian Education Ministers. This site provides services and creates resources for all learning needs. The 'Teachers and Schools' link contains free lesson plans (across all KLA's), professional learning, resources and much more. The Technology lesson plans available relate to building toys, a modelled wheeled vehicle and creating their own newspaper.

EVALUATION
The Technology lesson plans I believe need refining in order to suit QSA planning requirments. They contain interesting design challenges that have the potential to be integrated into other KLA's. This is a good planning resource for other KLA's.

RATING
* * * Good

NSW Department of Education

"Board of Studies"

Year Level: All, Teacher resource

Access: Internet

URL: http://www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au/

SUMMARY

The NSW Board of Studies has a very comprehensive website and takes some time to look through. In the 'All NSW Syllabuses' tab is all the information of the KLA's including support materials. There are several KLA's to sort through, however, the most relevant is 'Design and Technology.' The advice on planning and assessment contain sample units of work that can be adapted to suit the Queensland curriculum.

EVALUATION

Very difficult to navigate due to it's comprehensive nature. Once information is sourced, it is a good website for teachers to use to see what type of planning, teaching and assessing is being done in other states. The Design and Technology KLA outlines similar features to that of the QSA requirements, therefore, unit plans can be easily adapted.

RATING

* * * * * Excellent

Victorian Department of Education and Training

"Victorian Essential Learnings Standards"

Year Level: Teacher resource
Access: Internet
URL: http://vels.vcaa.vic.edu.au/support/level4/index.html

SUMMARY
Similar to the QSA Sourcebook Modules, however, produced by the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority. This site contains sample units for teachers under the support materials tab. It relates to the Victorian Essential Lernings Standards (QSA - Core learning outcomes) under the Key Learning area of 'Design, Creativity and Technology.'

EVALUATION
The sample units available from this site can be adapted to suit QSA core learning outcomes. They can be used as a foundation to creating units from scratch or be modified in the areas of curriculum, planning and assessment. Very useful for teachers looking for fresh new ideas or alternate methods of teaching.

RATING
* * * * * Excellent

Technology Education

"Tech Kids"

Year Level: 3-7
Cross-curricular links: All
URL: http://www.techedlab.com/techkids/

SUMMARY
EXCELLENT features. This site contains links to over 50 websites that have been filtered in order for appropriateness for children to use. Students can access these links through different areas of interest such as; Tech Kid's Club, Fun in the Kitchen, Explore our World, Cool Science and Maths and many more.

EVALUATION
This site is aimed at children and is very colourful, bold and easy to read, use and navigate. A valuable site that could be incorporated into an ICT lesson or used as a resource for teachers looking for Technology ideas.

RATING
* * * * * Excellent

The Technology Education Lab

"Tech Ed Lab"

Year Level: Teacher Resource

Access: Internet

URL: http://www.techedlab.com/

SUMMARY
The Technology Education Lab is a useful website for teachers. It includes links to several technology websites suitable for both teachers and students. This site gives background knowledge of what technology education is, links to cross-curricular subjects including ICT's, Mathematics and Science as well as links to diferent technology education forums across the world.

EVALUATION
This site would be useful to teachers as it provides an abundance of links to other technology related websites. It is useful in terms of connecting teachers with the world of technology through forums and online discussions.

RATING

* * * * Very Good

Technology Education

"Technology Education"

Year Level: Teacher Resource
Access: Internet

URL: http://www.teched101.com/

SUMMARY

Technology Education is a website designed for high school teachers and students. Upon perusal, I found some aspects to be relevent to a primary education setting. Some features relevant include; free posters, teaching tips, resources, teacher forum and helpful links. Most aspects can be adapted to all levels of primary, however, tend to focus more on the upper primary years.

EVALUATION

This site is easy to navigate and is well resourced. It is free for all to use including the resources and teacher tips, which makes it more apealing. It is interesting to see the teacher forum comments, as it gives an indication of where Technology Education is heading.

RATING

* * * * Very Good

Queensland Studies Authority

"Sourcebook Modules"

Year level: All
Cross-curricular links: All
Access: Internet
URL: http://www.qsa.qld.edu.au/yrs1to10/kla/technology/support.html

SUMMARY
The QSA Sourcebook Modules provide ready to teach units of work in relation to specific KLA's. Included in the sourcebook modules are overview, purpose, actvities, lessons, resources, cross-curricular links, core learning outcomes, assessment strategies, background information and other support materials.

EVALUATION
Great teacher resource as it is very comprehensive and ready to teach. These modules can be used in their entirity or parts can be used to reflect a teachers personal creativity. These modules have been developed and apporved to meet professional standards and expectations of teaching.

RATING
* * * * * Excellent