Technology education

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Technology education is a study of technology, which provides an opportunity for students to learn about the processes and knowledge related to technology. As a study, it covers the human ability to shape and change the physical world to meet needs, by manipulating materials and tools with techniques. As education, the goal is to teach the knowledge and techniques to develop technological literacy which is accomplished by bringing laboratory activities to students. Technacy education is an innovative approach to technology education in Australia, which differs in that it is accomplished by situating students in the context of the need. The term "technology education" is frequently shortened to "tech ed".

1 History of Technology Education
2 Objectives of Technology Education
3 Technology education versus technical education
4 See also
5 External links

[edit] History of Technology Education

In many countries, in the last century, technology education has evolved through craft, or technical skills, education - from Industrial Arts and Manual Training. Industrial Arts programs were also known as "shop classes", a derivation of "workshop". Today, technology education students generally work in labs and perform laboratory activities. In the past, many referred to the work areas used in technology education as "shops", however, many teachers have encouraged students to use the term "lab". That follows the hierarchy of science (knowing about the world) > technology (applying that knowledge to solve problems, ie to improve the world) > engineering (applying that knowledge on a large scale to develop systems and structures).

Britain was perhaps the first country to include the field of technology in the national curriculum for schools, from 1989 - compulsory for most learners from Year 1 (Grade 1, age 5) to Year 11). (At the same time, information technology was made compulsory for all from Year 1 to (more recently) Year 13.)

The school subject of technology in Britain includes the traditional craft areas of "craft, design and technology" (working with resistive materials and with pliant materials, and technical drawing) and "domestic science" or "home economics" (working with textiles and food). However, there is an explicit intention to view technology as the all-encompassing human activity of problem-solving; the Government introduced the concept of secondary schools (Years 7-11 or 7-13) called city technology colleges in the 1980s and technology colleges in the 1990s. This is to encourage a problem-solving approach to tech study of ALL subjects; even so, it is very rare to find that in practice.

The Association for Science Education (ASE) and the Royal Society were highly influential in these developments, as were some of the educational IT professional groups. The Design and Technology Association (DATA) is perhaps Britain's most influential association as regards technology education now.

The Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) is the largest American national education association dedicated to the advancement of education that prepares youth and adults for successful careers. ACTE's core purpose is to provide leadership in developing an educated, prepared, and competitive workforce.

[edit] Objectives of Technology Education

Technology education allows learners to explore a variety of activities related to many areas of human endeavor. Learners can develop problem solving strategies and work habits that will be useful in almost any career and or occupation. Learners should develop a greater appreciation for the work of craft workers and the skill required of that work.

Within the scope of this educational program is the effort to develop “soft skills” within the learner, as well as an opportunity for the learner to see how systems work together and the chance to put much of the academic class instruction to work in an applied way.

Many of the skills that are to be taught in technology education classes are identified in the 1991 SCANS Secretary's Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills Report. Many of these soft skills may be better developed in a lab, problem solving setting than in a typical academic classroom.

[edit] Technology education versus technical education

The goal of technology education is different from technical education. Technical education teaches specific skills directed toward a specific type of work, for example, carpentry, automotive maintenance, welding, or computer network administration, whereas technology education has a more generalized approach.

Technology education is often confused with the term educational technology, which denotes technological devices and methods of delivering or developing educational information.