Evaluating the Professional Development Landscape for Digital Technology Teachers in New Zealand

Mahsa Mohaghegh, Jitty Varghese

Abstract: The rise of digital technology has made it clear that many individuals lack the technical knowledge and skills to navigate this increasingly digital world. To address this, many countries, including New Zealand, have been working to incorporate digital technology education into their school curriculums. However, a significant challenge in this endeavour is ensuring that teachers have the knowledge and skills to effectively teach these subjects to their students. This study evaluates the effectiveness of professional development programs for digital technology teachers in New Zealand, specifically examining the CS4HS workshop through survey and interview data. The research also aims to understand the factors influencing digital technology teachers' participation in these programs and how it impacts their students.