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Alana Patterson
​Canterbury College

Picture
In the ever-changing world of Design Technology, Alana Patterson, the Curriculum Coordinator for the Technology Department of Canterbury College, burns with a passion for what her subject can offer students. She believes new curriculum in the area offers the opportunity to draw on higher-order thinking skills and one very important lesson.
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“When students understand that it is safe for them to ‘fail’ within their design and technology journey, their whole attitude towards the subject changes. Students need to fail when they are problem solving – it is the only way for them to learn, improve and solve problems – the whole reason we are here!” Alana says.
The teacher with 19 years in the profession performs backward-mapping when developing curriculum to ensure meaningful learning experiences. The careful construction also means students are made aware of learning goals but can extend their capacity.

“The very nature of Design Technology is to challenge, improve, question and develop. I love viewing the outcomes our students are capable of when they allow themselves to explore,” says Alana.

Traditionally Year 8 students at Canterbury College study Industrial Technology for one semester and Food Technology for one semester, but this year Alana introduced a new program combining the learning of both over the full year.

The set-up of her classroom is vibrant and showcases design theory and the work of students. Furniture is adjustable in height and can be moved around, facilitating different types of tasks and collaborative group and individual work. A range of equipment and materials, from plasticine to 3D printers, are available to students. The physical changes to the organisation of the room support the variety of subject areas covered and encourage a creative mindset.

With technology constantly developing, teaching about it requires continuous learning and a collaborative spirit. That is why Alana has done a lot of work with the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority to build relationships with technology teachers across the Great South East. She has attended State Panels for the checking of grades, syllabus delivery courses, writing committees to create assessment for a new Graphics syllabus and since 2011 she been District Panel Chair for Graphics in the Brisbane South region.

Building upon this, she coordinated a Teacher Workshop this year, with teachers attending from all around to work collaboratively on curriculum writing for the new Design syllabus -part of the technology suite of subjects offered in the new Australian Tertiary Admission Rank system by QCAA.

Alana has also presented at various conferences where she has broken down syllabus and provided resources for other teachers to make use of in their classrooms. Beyond conferences she has assisted peers with development and delivery of their Graphics courses across districts. This reflects her belief that “teachers from all schools and sectors work better when we are collaborative and can share our ideas, experiences and knowledge with others”.

She is also active online with several discussion groups and pages, sharing ideas with her fellow teachers and also taking the view that technology education is not just relevant to her subject field. Integration in other areas improves student understanding of design solutions. At Canterbury College students in Year 8 spend a term working on an integrated project that takes in Science, English, Maths, HASS and Technology curriculum. Underpinning it is the Design Process and as Curriculum Coordinator for Technology, Alana has been involved in developing this aspect.

In everything Alana has done throughout her career it has been at heart about supporting student achievement. In June the Design and Technology Teachers Association of Queensland Inc. awarded her Secondary Classroom Design and Technology Teacher of 2019 in their Excellence Awards.
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Congratulations Alana on your nomination.
Queensland College of Teachers
Level 5, 601 Coronation Drive
​Toowong Qld 4066
Call (07) 3377 4777
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  • Home
    • TEACHX AWARDS >
      • Beginning to Teach Award Nominees 2019
      • 2019 TEACHX Winners
      • 2019 TEACHX Finalists
      • 2019 TEACHX Nominees >
        • OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO SCHOOL COMMUNITY AWARD NOMINEES 2019
        • Excellence in Teaching Award Nominees 2019
        • Innovation in Teaching Award Nominees 2019
        • Excellent Leadership in Teaching and Learning Award Nominees 2019
        • Outstanding Contribution to Teaching Award Nominees 2019
  • Teacher Stories
    • Teaching graduates meet tough standards
    • Rachel Downie
    • The importance of teachers
    • Marsden State High School has the answer to keeping beginning teachers in the classroom
    • Exceptional support for early career teachers in Far North Queensland
    • QBECT
    • 2018 Awards >
      • 2018 Winners
      • 2018 Finalists
      • 2018 Nominees >
        • Excellence in Beginning to Teach Award
        • Excellent Leadership in Teaching and Learning Award
        • Excellence in Teaching Award
        • Outstanding Contribution to Teaching Award
        • Outstanding Contribution to School Community Award
    • 2017 Awards >
      • 2017 Winners
      • 2017finalists
      • 2017 nominees >
        • Excellence in Beginning to Teach
        • Excellent Leadership in Teaching and Learning
        • Excellence in Teaching
        • Outstanding Contribution to Teaching
    • 2016 Awards >
      • Excellence in Beginning to Teach
      • Excellent Leadership in Teaching and Learning
      • Excellence in Teaching
      • Outstanding Contribution to Teaching
    • HAT and LT >
      • Meet the Assessors
      • Ruth Graham
      • Tracey Peden
      • Helen and Dwayne
      • Carly Sopronick
      • Jessica Roberts
      • Jessica Roth
    • OAM >
      • Kathryn George, OAM
      • Keith Graham, OAM
      • Dr Judith Grimes, OAM
      • Michael Goodwin, OAM
      • Steve Parle, OAM
      • Dr Lyn Bishop, OAM
      • Dr Catherine Day, OAM
    • Taryn Gollshewsky
    • Vanuatu
    • NAIDOC >
      • NAIDOC Week 2017
      • NAIDOC Week 2016
    • QLD Day >
      • Bundaberg East State School
      • St Catherine's Catholic College
      • Mornington Island State School
      • Queensland Week 2016
    • ANZAC
  • Claire Cummins
  • Anxiety and trauma―an expert’s advice