This volume brings together significant international research in technology education by focusing on contemporary postgraduate research, elaborating on the findings with the aim of making the content relevant to researchers, teachers and other potential researchers in the field. The book shares with readers what the research means for classroom teachers through understanding different motivations for teaching technology in schools and observing the model of learning supported by the research. Each chapter in the book includes references to the digital edition of the respective full thesis, allowing readers to consult the research in detail if necessary.

This book continues the work done by 2017s Contemporary Research in Technology Education by the same editors.

Dr David Barlex is an acknowledged leader in design& technology education, curriculum design and curriculum materials development. He taught at comprehensive schools for 15 years, achieving head of faculty positions in Science and Design& Technology before taking university positions in teacher education. He directed the Nuffield Design& Technology Project and was Educational Manager for Young Foresight. David is well known for his interest and expertise in developing curriculum materials that support pupil learning from a constructivist perspective. He uses this approach to develop young peoples ability to understand and critique the design decisions made by professional designers and those they make themselves in design& technology lessons. This informed the Nuffield Design& Technology publications, which have been widely used in the UK and since emulated abroad in Russia, Sweden, Canada, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand.

Professor PJohn Williams is a Professor of Education and the Director of Graduate Research at the School of Education, Curtin University in Perth, Western Australia, where he teaches and supervises research students in STEM and technology education. Apart from Australia, he has worked and studied in a number of African and Indian Ocean countries, as well as New Zealand and the United States. His current research interests include STEM, mentoring beginning teachers, PCK and electronic assessment of performance. He regularly presents at international and national conferences, consults on Technology Education in a number of countries, and is a longstanding member of eight professional associations. He is the series editor of Springers Contemporary Issues in Technology Education and serves on the editorial board of six professional journals. He has authored or contributed to over 240 publications, and was elected to the International Technology and Engineering Education Associations Academy of Fellows for his contributions to the profession.

1 Introduction.- Curriculum Content.- 2 Technology education in Saudi Arabia in comparison with New Zealand: Lessons for Technology Education Teachers.- 3 The localisation of technology education curriculum in Botswana.- 4 What children are supposed to learn in primary technology education.- 5 Secondary pupils' perceptions of their experiences of practical work in Technology and Design.- Stories of Technology.- 6 Technology landscapes in Children's Literature.- 7 Using narratives for communicating the nature of technology.- Planning and Pedagogy.- 8 Teachers' assessment practices.- 9 Approaches to planning that encourage creativity.- 10 Enhancing the teaching of problem solving in technology education.- 11 The influence of task difficulty on student engagement, performance and self-efficacy.- Cognition.- 12 Design cognition and student performance.- 13 Design cognition: Strategies for teachers in practice.- Girls and Technology.- 14 Practical approaches to increase girls' interest in technology education.- 15 Where are all the students?? Factors that encourage female participants in Technology Education.- Information Technology.- 16 Using technology to support discussion in Design and Technology.- 17 The impact of mobile devices on self directed learning and achievement.- 18 Synopsis.