This year AIT and The Technology Education Research Group (TERG) hosted the International PATT (Pupils Attitudes Towards Technology) conference. This is an annual conference for Design and Technology Teacher Educators from around the world. There were over 90 delegates from 15 different countries attending the conference with more than 70 papers presented showcasing the richness of technology education in Ireland and abroad.

The conference was opened by Minister of State for Higher Education, Mary Mitchell O’Connor, who spoke about the importance of realising “the potential of digital technology to enhance teaching, learning and assessment” so as to “help students become engaged thinkers, active learners, knowledge constructors and global citizens”. “The development of these skills is critical for our young people and in an increasingly digital landscape they will define their future prospects in life,” she said.

The conference culminated in an interactive student showcase entitled ‘Voices from Our Schools’ which featured a wide variety of technology projects from students attending Scoil Mhuire, Kanturk, Co. Cork. The students presented a wide variety of projects which demonstrated both their innovation and creativity in the Technology discipline. 5th Year Technology students Jennifer Hallihan Buckley, Lisa Finn, Cathal Leahy, Paula Lisauskaite, Marcella O Connor, Caoimhe Quinlan, Julia Rodrigo, Friso Siewers presented work from their PATT design challenge task where they were exploring and generating solutions that promoted self-sufficiency and healthy eating.

This project utilized Adaptive Comparative Judgment (ACJ) as a means to integrate peer and self-assessment as a core pedagogical strategy helping the pupils to develop autonomy and skills of self-regulation. Leaving Cert students Rachel O Riordan, Eve O Shaughnessy and Tara Kelly presented work from their Leaving Cert Technology design brief. Again the work by the Scoil Mhuire students really impressed the conference delegates with many commenting not only on how exceptional their work was but also on how well the students from the school presented themselves and represented their school and community.

Their teacher Mr Gerald Crotty commented on how it was a pleasure to work with such enthusiastic and innovative pupils that were always amazing him with their new ideas and work ethic. Mr Crotty also commented on how engaging in projects such as the DALTA project which was coordinated by Dr Donal Canty (University of Limerick) and funded by the Irish Research Council has helped him develop new and innovative strategies around teaching learning and assessment that are having a positive impact on student learning in his classroom. School Principal Miriam Downey was also in attendance on the day and complemented both teacher and pupils on the great work that was on show representing Scoil Mhuire.

As part of the conference schedule, three plenary sessions were used to explore and discuss the key themes of the conference. Each session had a keynote address followed by a panel led discussion. On Thursday 21st July, the session centred on the sub-theme of “Driving Social Change”. The Keynote address was given by Gerald Crotty, a Technology teacher from Scoil Mhuire Kanturk.

Gerald discussed how, despite female representation in technology education in Ireland is approximately 20%, over the last seven years he has managed to increase this figure to be above 50% in his classroom. Gerald presented on how he has achieved this through his own practice and stressed that increasing female representation requires sustained longitudinal efforts to change traditional perceptions of the subjects.

Following the keynote, Gerald sat on a panel with Prof. Stephanie Atkinson and PhD candidate Ulrika Sultan to further discuss driving social change in Technology education. The panel session was convened by Dr Donal Canty. All speakers shared their own unique perspectives on this topic. The session highlighted many barriers that had to be overcome and navigated to provide equal opportunity of access and participation in the school curriculum for all students. It also highlighted the key role of teachers and school leadership in driving social change through their vision, determination and perseverance.

More information on this session can be found at Driving Social Change