Technology 7–8 Syllabus (2023) – information for school leaders
The Technology 7–8 Syllabus (2023) replaces content in the Technology Mandatory 7–8 Syllabus (2017). Planning and preparation will commence from 2024 with implementation in 2026.
The NSW Technology 7–8 Syllabus (2023) recognises the importance of practical experiences and design and production processes in the development of technological knowledge, understanding and skills.
What you need to know
- In 2024 and 2025, teachers engage with the syllabus and plan and prepare for implementation of the curriculum.
- In 2026, implementation commences in schools.
- The syllabus requires students to undertake practical learning and project work for most of the course time.
The Technology 7–8 Syllabus includes:
- four focus areas that can be delivered flexibly
- no specified hours for each focus area, allowing projects to be created to suit students and schools
- Life Skills outcomes have been mapped to the Stage 4 outcomes to facilitate integrated delivery.
Overview image is from the Technology 7–8 Syllabus (2023) © NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) for and on behalf of the Crown in right of the State of New South Wales, 2023.
Prior to implementing the Technology 7–8 Syllabus, leaders will need to consider the following:
- supporting teachers’ understanding of the changes to the syllabus structure and familiarisation with the digital curriculum platform to ensure the syllabus is taught as intended.
- logistical complexities including
- coordination of rooms, technologies, and resources
- prioritising practical demonstrations and project development as evidence of learning
- updating the name of the subject in published documentation, subject selection information, and assessment schedules.
- complexities for out-of-field staff teaching Technology 7–8 and ensuring adequate support and professional learning where relevant
- suitability of a Life Skills (staff only) pattern of studies for students
- collaboration with staff and learning support teams to ensure appropriate curriculum planning
- explore ways to adapt the sample materials provided by the department and curriculum materials developed in school to support consistency of syllabus enactment between mainstream and special education settings.
The syllabus for Technology 7–8 is based on evidence summarised in the Bibliography: Technology 7–8 published by NESA.
Technology 7–8 (2023) © NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) for and on behalf of the Crown in right of the State of New South Wales, 2023.
- Does the school have enough qualified Technology teachers?
- What processes are in place to support out-of-field teaching if this is not the case?
- What evidence is there that staff have understood syllabus changes and familiarised themselves with the new syllabus, including the research it is based upon?
- How will Technology 7–8 classes be structured?
- Do these structures provide students with opportunities to develop their technological literacy through the design and production of creative solutions?
- What school practices and systems are in place to support teacher professional learning?
- How are these evaluated to maximise support for teachers?
Further support
See the NSW Department of Education Curriculum Reform webpage for updates and additional information.
- Technological and Applied Studies (TAS) Curriculum
- Join the Technological and Applied Studies (TAS) Statewide staffroom
- Email: TAS@det.nsw.edu.au