Philosophy of Technology Education
Technology education is the study of human innovation, which challenges students to discover and create solutions to real-world problems. Through an integrated, experience-based program, students develop skills for the application and management of knowledge and resources related to the human made world. A strong technology-based curriculum incorporates collaborative, application-oriented, activity-based strategies in which students apply engineering principles. Students utilize a variety of tools, machines, computer systems, materials, processes and technological systems to research, design and problem-solve. Students become lifelong contributing members of our technological society who comprehend the impact of technology and are empowered with the ability to invent and innovate systems to improve quality of life.
We further believe that:
- Technology literacy empowers students to participate in a complex world in order to identify and solve the problems that face society.
- Technology competencies are best applied in meaningful activities that are integrated into classroom instruction and applied to real world situations.
- It is essential for classroom resources to keep pace with real-world advances in technology.
- Technology education prepares students to use and create the high-tech tools of tomorrow.
- Technology education helps students acquire valuable interdisciplinary and applied skills in real-world situations.
- Technology drives invention and innovations and is a thinking and doing process.
- Technology education provides opportunities to build on learning experiences through exploration of technology pathways.
- Students develop the skills to work individually and collaboratively in teams to communicate effectively, identify problems and design solutions.
- Technology education students develop positive work attitudes, general employability skills, and occupation-specific skills that prepare them for a skilled 21st century workforce.
- Technology education empowers students to make informed decisions as citizens, consumers, and employees in a technological society.
- Technology education creates innovative students who can successfully investigate and design solutions to real problems, make connections and transfer technological understanding to new and unique situations.
Technology education provides a foundation of higher-order reasoning and knowledge for advanced education in engineering, math, science and technical programs.
Goals of Technology Education
As a result of this 6-12 Technology Education Curriculum students will:
1. Apply design principles that solve engineering and technological problems that extend human potential.
2. Extend creative abilities using technology.
3. Become educated consumers of technology for personal, professional and societal use.
4. Use technology to solve problems.
5. Develop abilities to live in a technological world.
6. Describe relationships between technology and other areas of knowledge.
7. Use technological systems and devices.
8. Troubleshoot and repair technological systems and devices.
9. Describe social, ethical and environmental impacts associated with the use of technology.
10. Develop an appreciation for the role technology plays in the designed world.
11. Describe the relationship between technology and other areas of knowledge.
12. Make informed career choices related to the designed world.