Planning for safe teaching and learning activities in technology classrooms
Factors that influence the safety of teaching and learning activities
Schools are complex and dynamic environments. The implementation of the syllabus and the safety of students and staff at any given time are influenced by the interplay of the following factors:
- the nature of the teaching and learning activities offered by the school, and
- the school situation including
- the staff involved in the activity
- the students involved in the activity
- the equipment used in the activity
- the materials and substances used for the activity
- the learning facility used for the activity.
The interrelationships that exist between the syllabus (what you must teach), the school situation (where you teach) and the teaching and learning activities (how you teach) are outlined in a diagram below.
Factors that influence the provision of safe teaching and learning activities in your school
The diagram below represents the interrelationships that exist between the syllabus (what you must teach), the school situation (where you teach) and the teaching and learning activities (how you teach).
Changes in the school situation to any one of the factors identified in the diagram may influence safety. It is essential that the procedures that are implemented in the school provide the technology teacher with a range of strategies to identify and respond effectively to changes in the school situation.
Effective risk management procedures occur through a combination of formal, structured strategies as well as ongoing day-to-day monitoring by all the technology staff. Both short-term and long-term strategies and responses need to be included in the health and safety procedures. For example, it is important that formal site inspections of each technology learning facility should occur on a regular basis, perhaps once per term. It is also essential that all staff have a clear understanding about the immediate action which should be taken when a specific hazard is identified such as a faulty piece of equipment.
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