As you are aware, the latest round of consultation is taking place for the draft Level 2 Achievement Standards (due 26 September 2010).
In terms of the Technology matrix of Achievement Standards there is a significant change that has taken place to all the Design and Visual Communication standards (formerly Graphics) that you need to be made aware of. This is the change of Domain and Subfield names from the established ‘Design’ and ‘Design – Graphic Communication’ to ‘Technology’ and ‘Technology – General Education’.
This name change has been instigated by Ministry officials without any consultation with the contracted writers for Graphics. The rationale given was that because the DVC standards are part of the Technology matrix and should all have the same Domain and Subfield name.
This decision essentially renders these name classifications as meaningless, denying the recognition of the individual character of standards that sit alongside the established generic technology standards. It needs to be noted that there is no other learning area where all its standards have the same Domain and Subfield names. Furthermore, there are even recognised subject-based matrices that contain standards categorised by different Domain and Subfield names.
There is general agreement from the writers that the names remain with the original categories and should not be changed. The original names are considered more accurate descriptors of the Design and Visual Communication standards.
As part of the consultation it is important that you give your feedback about this re-naming. The Ministry needs to know what the community opinion is in this regard:
Should the Design and Visual Communication Standards’ Domain and Subfield be named:
‘Design’ and ‘Design – Graphic Communication’
OR
‘Technology’ and ‘Technology – General Education’
Good luck with the rest of the consultation and it is important that you have your say.
Max Maddison
President NZGTTA