Confidence on Managing Curriculum Change

INTAD STATE CONFERENCE 2002                                                           

 This year's two day INTAD State Conference was held at the Greek Club Brisbane and was sponsored by Gregory Machinery. Gregory Machinery has been a strong supporter of Manual Arts Centres  (Industrial Technology and Design Centres), for many years. Robert Gregory has invested many hours fine-tuning the needs of our centers, by developing efficient dust extraction and providing quality machines.

This year approximately 300 delegates attended the two day conference, which was held on Sunday April 7^th and Monday April 8^th , the student free day after the Easter break. This year's conference was once again coordinated by Neville Warner and supported by the INTAD Professional Development Committee, chaired by Dave Brown. It is always the intention of the Professional Development Committee to organize a conference that is highly beneficial to the majority of members and this year’s conference was no exception with a wide range of activities and workshops being offered.

The conference was “booted” off to a good start on Sunday by Mark Snartt, representing the QSCC, with his entertaining presentation of unpacking the Strands and understanding the mysteries of Learning Outcomes. His presentation focused on the Technology KLA and the Industrial Technology and Design Area Syllabus Outcomes. A major focus over both days was QSCC representative Kathy Holzheimer who ran workshops on writing a Unit of Work in the Product Design Strand of the ITD Area Syllabus. Most of the delegates had the opportunity to attend these informative workshops.

 “Introduction to Pro/Desktop”, presented by Neville O’Brien and Dave Brown proved to be very popular over both days, giving a good insight into the usefulness of this FREE CAD Program for use with our Graphics and Product Design Students.

 “Experience a Technology Lesson in the Workshop”, presented by Neville Warner was well received and gave delegates an opportunity  to work through a closed design brief, that exposed participants to the philosophy behind “Student Centred Learning” in  practical situations.

 “The Impressive Gallery Walk” of students' work, coordinated by Jamie Foulder and Terry Greiger was much appreciated by delegates, giving a clear indication of best Teaching practice and students' achievements. Both Jamie and Terry spent many hours setting up this display and I believe next year, with more support, it will be even better, especially if more schools participate by displaying student’s projects.

 Monday’s program was given a kick-start by introducing the schools that are involved in the Industrial Technology and Design Area Syllabus action research Project. A representative from each school gave a brief overview of how they intended to participate in the program. This was followed by the QSCC Officers, Kathy Holzhemier and Barbara Grant, who were challenged with having to give, an explanation on the overall structure of the Technology KLA Syllabus, and the Industrial Technology and Design Subject Area Syllabus. They then had to explain, the relevance/unpacking of the learning outcomes as related to both of these syllabuses.  

The rest of the day’s program consisted of workshops giving delegates a chance to select from a smorgasbord of workshops, such as Ivan Chester Systems Workshop, which was directed at using and introducing Systems and Controls into our programs. Phil Cooper, Wendy Garbett and Hubby Vink, presented Sessions and a Forum on, “Vocational Education – Best Practice and Currency Management”, which was a thoroughly worthwhile workshop. Jamie Foulger’s workshop on “Communicating in Design”,  gave an interesting approach as to how students may respond to a design challenge and communicate their design ideas.

 Barbara Grant presented the “QSCC Wizard Program”, which is used for developing units of work in an Outcomes based Curriculum, focusing on the Technology KLA Syllabus. Griffith University students Corey Gieskens and Andrew Kennedy presented a “Product Design Example”, suitable for  Senior Tech Studies classes or Junior Technology classes.

 For those interested in introducing electronics into their programs, Warren Holyoak demonstrated the “Electroflash Electronics-Teaching Package”.

 The conference on both days was supported by trade displays, which are always popular with conference delegates. Much needed information on what’s available in a wide range of machines tools and other teaching resources are displayed and valuable information is dispersed to many potential customers.

 The conference was rounded off with a plenary Session and the drawing of  many door prizes plus the filling out of a conference evaluation. Dave Brown concluded the conference by wishing all  delegates a safe journey home and an invitation to attend the next INTAD conference scheduled for April 2003.