Global technology education experts discuss knowledge generation

Education experts from across the globe will discuss what constitutes knowledge in technology education at the 6th Biennial International Conference at the Crowne Plaza Hotel from December 8-11.

Conference convenor Associate Professor Howard Middleton said they would explore what is useful and powerful in technology education and why.

“The connections between technology, innovation design and engineering and between science, technology, engineering and mathematics all have implications for the nature of technological knowledge,” he said.

Keynote speakers include Professor Alister Jones from Waikato University, New Zealand, Professor Malcolm Welch, from Queen’s University, Canada and Professor Marc De Vries from Delft University of Technology, The Netherlands.

Professor Jones has been a research fellow at Kings College London and is a visiting professor at the Institute of Education Hong Kong. He has worked in a variety of university settings internationally to build research capability.

Professor Welch is a Professor in the Faculty of Education, Queen’s University, Canada where he teaches undergraduate teacher candidates and a graduate research methods course. His research interests are in design and technology, with a particular focus on design education as an educative experience, using portfolios as a teaching, learning and assessment tool, and the nature and import of classroom talk.

Professor de Vries is professor of science and technology education at Delft University of Technology and editor-in-chief of the International Journal for Technology and Design Education.

For more information visit the conference website.