The guidelines are intended to provide additional information to teachers in interpreting the syllabus. The document is divided into eight sections. Because there is much more to teaching than the transmission of knowledge and skills, (Section 4), the other sections are intended to help teachers in the planning and organisation of their work.
Section 2 emphasises that the approach to the teaching of Technology may be different from that adopted in other subjects.
Section 3 endeavours to give some help in the use and organisation of the resources necessary for the teaching of Technology. This section does not give a list of the type or extent of the resources which a school should have to teach Technology. This will vary with the school. Further information can be obtained from the 'Resource Material for Junior Certificate Technology' already published by the Department of Education. Section 4 forms the greater part of these guidelines. Expansion is given on the Knowledge And Skills section of the syllabus together with an indication of the total hours which might be given. The hours stated are not prescriptive and are intended only as a guide to teachers. It is not intended that these guidelines be used as a textbook either for teachers or students. Consequently no reference is given to the underlying theory. Teachers are recommended to consult other sources for such information. It is accepted that the teaching of Technology is a complex activity and Section 5 offers some ideas on programme planning and organisation. If such planning and organisation is not undertaken the teaching in the classroom and specialist rooms will be ineffective.
Because of the emphasis on the doing of tasks by the students, Section 6 offers some advice on how to manage practical work.
As the student progresses through the course, the teacher will need to measure the students' performance. A few ideas are given in Section 7.
Section 8 is concerned with inculcating good practice in regard to safety and health at all times.
The guidelines conclude with a number of appendices.