Abstract:
This paper documents findings from a Masters’ thesis study. For the first time in New Zealand’s history, a College of Education is regularly teaching children on site. This paper briefly outlines how and why the partnership developed. The research recorded the initial and final views of the children, parents, lecturers, school and college. However the major focus of this paper is on the views of the parents. Numerous people have stated “What our community wants is…” This research shows that there is a major difference between what parents expect for their children, with regard to Technology Education, and what they hope for. It became apparent, after the programme commenced that parents were evaluating the partnership between the College and the school on different criteria than those initially stated in their expectations. This paper outlines what these differences were and parents’ final reactions to a programme they did not fully expect.
