Helping students to produce quality solutions

• We found that we had to give our students time to think, negotiate and compromise. We had to work closely with our outside partners to see what was practical.
• The class reviewed examples of the design process and discussed what each step is about and why it is important.
• Students worked towards the criteria (for success). Always checking quality against the criteria.
• It was important that the students learnt making skills. When necessary, community people provided help … We had to provide freedom and time for students to develop skills. Once they did this quality was not a problem.
• It was really important to give kids time to work through their own ideas and suggestions.
• I encouraged students to share their ideas with their peers. And they had to be prepared to question other people's ideas.
• Goal setting was important. We taught students about the importance of management – we established timelines and set time limits.
• It was important that students understood that the project was part is of the mainstream Technology program and that their learning would be assessed and reported.