Clifford Harwood

Citation

Thesis Title
Enhancing Student Decision Making in Technological Practice

Read article at Massey Research Online:

Mr Harwood investigated the influence of students’ understandings of technological modelling on their ability to make informed decisions when developing technological outcomes. In addition, he explored the relationship between student achievement in technology and their concepts of technological modelling. He identified the different forms of reasoning students used when undertaking technological practice and how it informed their decision making and justification of the technological outcomes they developed as fit for purpose. He found a strong correlation between understanding of concepts and reasoning and decision making when engaged in technological practice. As a result, he concluded that when teachers support students to develop curriculum understandings of technological modelling, their technological practice becomes more sophisticated. Hence,  they are equipped to develop technological outcomes that they can defend as fit for purpose in their broadest sense. His findings present a case for teachers placing an explicit emphasis on enhancing student conceptual understandings of technological modelling.

Supervisors
Professor Jenny Poskitt
Dr Vicki Compton