On Friday 8th December the new digital technologies curriculum was released by Education Minister Chris Hipkins. A press release was issued by Pauline Cleaver (Associate Deputy Secretary) Early Learning and Student Achievement who said
“We’re looking forward to supporting schools and kura in this journey towards having new digital technologies teaching and learning programmes become a part of every New Zealand child’s education”.
Links to the new curriculum are here
The Ministry of Education states that “by the end of Year 10, all young people should be digitally capable – able to use and create digital technologies to solve problems and give them an advantage whatever pathway they choose to follow.”
New digital technologies curriculum content published
Education Minister Chris Hipkins today announced that new Digital Technologies & Hangarau Matihiko curriculum content is being published into The New Zealand Curriculum and Te Marautanga o Aotearoa.
“My goal as Education Minister is to make sure we are future-proofing our education system. This means we need to change the way we do things to keep up and ahead of changing technologies,” says Minister Hipkins.
“The digital curriculum content positions us as global leaders in education, meeting the needs of a digital and fast-paced world and making sure our learners will be job-ready when they graduate.
“Young people will learn how digital technologies work and will develop critical thinking skills and learn key competencies such as collaboration, communication, problem solving, and ethical and safety awareness.
“The Hangarau Matihiko curriculum content connects traditional Māori practices and knowledge with digital confidence. The Hangarau concepts reinforce the importance of understanding the past to inform future practice for people and the environment.”
The release of the content follows a consultation period with teachers, kaiako, schools and kura, parents and whānau.
The Ministry is supporting schools and kura to build their staff capability, so they can support their learners with the skills needed to succeed, and work with parents and whānau to develop the best fit for their students.
Schools and kura are expected to integrate the Digital Technologies & Hangarau Matihiko curriculum content by 2020. It will be taught from Years 1-10, with the option to specialise from Years 11-13.
The new Digital Technologies & Hangarau Matihiko curriculum content is available from – technology.tki.org.nz and hangaraumatihiko.tki.org.nz
A package of support will be rolled out for teachers and kaiako to build their capability and confidence in teaching the curriculum from 2018. View more on these initiatives here – education.govt.nz/digitech