Digital technologies in schools

Media Release

June 2009

Digital technologies in schools support high-tech NZ workforce

Although the recession has hit the New Zealand workforce hard, and there are less jobs available, the IT sector is one area crying out for new graduates.  The Digital Technologies Guidelines (DTG) project that has been operating in a number of secondary schools throughout New Zealand, is working to alleviate this problem by equipping graduates for the ICT sector.

The DTG project, facilitated by Cognition Education, focuses on years 11-13 and has provided a flexible planning environment for teachers to design courses in the area of digital technology.  It was initially trialled 18 months ago with a group of 13 pilot schools. Today 75 schools are operating the  DTG throughout New Zealand , far exceeding the Ministry of Education’s expectations.

Howard Baldwin, Acting Manager, e-learning, Ministry of Education remarked that “The DTG professional development programme is providing quality support for teachers in this future-focused and rapidly evolving area.”

Cognition consulted with both secondary, tertiary and industry leaders to provide coherent pathways from secondary to tertiary education and beyond, encouraging students to consider a career in digital technology.  Advisory groups were set up to assist with the development of material that schools are now using to create interesting and exciting teaching and learning opportunities. Teachers involved with the project now meet regularly with other schools in their region to discuss and implement the DTG material. 

The DTG project is giving more emphasis to the range of career options available in digital technology.

Scott Wylie, Director of Developer & Platform Group for Microsoft NZ, is an industry supporter in the DTG project.  “We wanted to get involved in the programme to align industry requirements with appropriately educated graduates, a process that starts with secondary schools.  Encouraging students to study IT at school also involves awareness of the exciting range of career options that are open to them within a variety of industries, resulting in a skilled, high-tech economy for New Zealand,” says Mr Wylie.

The DTG project is now moving into its next phase with additional schools implementing the programme from July 2009, a fact that pleases both education and industry supporters.  Closely following this, Cognition will be organising regional interest group meetings.  These meetings will be held at various locations throughout the country and will include tertiary and industry representatives in digital technology where they will discuss ways in which they can support the project.

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