Technology Education in New Zealand (PDF)

Wendy Fox-Turnbull is an associate professor at the University of Waikato and Deputy Head of School for Te Kura Toi Tangata - School of Education. Wendy was chair of the Technology Education New Zealand (TENZ) Council from 2006 to 2018 and has convened two TENZ conferences (TENZ 2005 and TENZ/ICTE 2017) and one international technology research conference (PATT 2013) in Christchurch. She previously taught at the University of Canterbury's College of Education, in Technology Education, primary and secondary, Professional Inquiry Studies and Inquiry Learning, from 1997 to 2017. In 2015 Wendy was awarded the TENZ Outstanding Contribution to Technology Education Award and is one of six living recipents. Research special interests include authentic learning in technology education, the place of women in technology-related careers, the role and nature of effective conversations in learning and teaching, and learning approaches for the 21st century. Wendy has presented regularly at PATT and other international conferences and has published in a range of journals and books in the field of technology education. Wendy is a registered and certified primary teacher.

Elizabeth Reinsfield is a senior lecturer at the University of Waikato. Dr Reinsfield's research interests include cross-generational perceptions of innovation, and teachers' engagement with and enactment of curriculum. In 2019, Liz led the Matanga project - a national professional learning programme (PLP) for Early Childhood, Primary and Secondary technology teachers in New Zealand to engage with, make meaning of, and enact the curriculum. This was particularly pertinent because of the recent curriculum revision, and consequent emphasis on digital technology. As a result of this work, she was given the Technology Education New Zealand (TENZ) Award: Outstanding Teacher Educator in Technology. In 2020 she was also awarded the Teacher Education Forum of Aotearoa New Zealand