The draft Australian curriculum: technologies

Technologies enrich and impact on the lives of people and societies globally. Australia needs enterprising individuals who can make discerning decisions about the development and use of technologies. It needs people who can independently and collaboratively develop innovative solutions to complex problems and contribute to sustainable patterns of living. Technologies, in their development and use, are influenced by – and can play an important role in transforming, restoring and sustaining – our societies and our natural, managed, constructed and digital environments.The Technologies learning area draws together the distinct but related subjects of Design and Technologies and Digital Technologies. The Australian Curriculum: Technologies will ensure that all students benefit from learning about and working with traditional, contemporary and emerging technologies that shape the world in which we live. The ubiquity of digital technologies provides new ways of thinking, collaborating and communicating for people of all ages and abilities. A comprehensive education in Technologies provides opportunities for students to progress from creative and directed play through to the consolidation of knowledge, understanding and skills. This learning area provides opportunities for students to apply practical skills and proces ses when using technologies and resources to create innovative solutions that meet current and future needs.All young Australians should develop capacity for action and a critical appreciation of the processes through which technologies are developed and how technologies can contribute to societies. They need opportunities to shape and challenge attitudes to the use and impact of technologies. They will do this by evaluating how their own solutions and those of others affect users, equity, sustainability, ethics, and personal and social values. In creating solutions, as well as responding to the designed world, they will contribute to sustainable patterns of living for themselves and others._____________ Consultation continues for the Draft Australian Curriculum: Technologies Foundation to Year 10 for national consultation until 5pm (AEST) Friday10 May 2013. The draft curriculum includes two subjects: Design and Technologies and Digital Technologies. Together these will ensure that all students benefit from learning about and working with traditional, contemporary and emerging technologies that shape the world in which we live. The Shape of the Australian Curriculum: Technologies was published in August 2012. This paper guided the development of the detailed Technologies curriculum.  The consultation period provides an opportunity for all stakeholders with an interest in Technologies to give feedback on the proposed learning outlined in the Draft Australian Curriculum: Technologies. ACARA values the feedback provided during public consultation and encourages participation in this important stage of the curriculum development process. The feedback received will be used to inform revisions to the draft curriculum for ACARA Board and Ministerial approval. Subject to Ministerial approval, the final Australian Curriculum: Technologies Foundation to Year 10 will be published on the Australian Curriculum website in late 2013. View the draft curriculum and find out how to give your feedback and find out more about the Australian Curriculum: Technologies development process on the ACARA website.&nbsp