Technical Education Networks launches teaching materials and research

Gatsby’s Technical Education Networks Programme launched the first set of teaching materials and research in the Digital route on 18 January 2024 on its new website. The Technical Education Networks (TEN) programme aims to support technical education teachers delivering an engaging and enriched curriculum for their students.

Gatsby’s Technical Education Networks Programme launched the first set of teaching materials and research in the Digital route on 18 January 2024 on its new website www.technicaleducationnetworks.org.uk  
 
The programme draws on the expertise of specialist teachers, employers and professional bodies. With insight from these groups free teaching materials are developed, research commissioned, and events hosted to support subject-specific pedagogy and sharing of practice through a network of specialist teachers, employers and industry professionals, with an early focus on T-levels.  
 
The first set of teaching materials released will support teachers delivering the Digital Production, Design and Development T-level Occupational Specialism. These resources have been created in partnership with the Raspberry Pi Foundation and includes a project brief and supporting assets including multimedia content, slide decks and worksheets. Joe Edwards, Partnership Manager at the Raspberry Pi - "We're honoured and excited to partner with Gatsby to create this brand-new content for the digital T-levels. We recognise this work as vitally important in helping young people to access the digital skills and qualifications needed to reach their full potential."  
 
James Culley, Chief Technology Officer, London Design Engineering UTC who has been a Curriculum Reviewer for the digital teaching materials added “It has been an honour to review and contribute to these incredible resources, the content is not only informative but engaging! The concepts covered embed opportunities to use free, often web-based emerging technologies such as interactive media portals, 3D browsers, and A.I. teachable engines. Most importantly content is exciting and relevant to industry and, as a leader and teacher, I know the importance of preparing students for the future. By integrating these advanced skills into our lessons, we can improve the awareness of emerging technology and help to bridge the gap between theory and real-world practice.” 
  
Bringing industry and the classroom closer together has been important when creating the teaching materials. Louise Doyle, CEO of Mesma who provided content for the industry focused films to support the Digital teaching materials added “99% of businesses in the UK are SMEs. We are the engine room of the economy. Therefore, it’s fantastic to see these resources recognising the importance of our voice alongside large organisations. Raising awareness of the diversity of who their future employer could be is a critical part of their education.” 
 
The Technical Education Networks (TEN) programme has also published some research on the macro-sequencing of Digital T-levels undertaken by the Association of Colleges including two supporting curriculum models for the Digital Production, Design and Development T-level. The research from 55 T-level providers includes feedback on diagnostic assessments, sequencing core and occupational specialism knowledge and skills in the curriculum and industry placements. 
 
Further resources and research to support teachers of Health and Science T-levels will be available in February 2024, with work in other routes including Construction and Engineering and Manufacturing already underway.  
 
To stay up to date on the research, events and teaching resources developed through the TEN programme please sign up for our newsletter.  
 
If you are interested in finding out more about the programme please contact us at TEN@gatsby.org.uk