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Chris Williams Columbus State University. (future Dr. J. Christopher Williams). Three Questions For Technology Education Teachers. Why Is Technology Education Important ?.
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Chris WilliamsColumbus StateUniversity (future Dr. J. Christopher Williams)
Why Is Technology Education Important? • From the beginning, problems led to solutions (discoveries/inventions/innovations) which led (and continue to lead) to the development of our civilization (Devore, 1980). • Technology is a primary driving force in global economy (Bybee & Starkwater, 2006). • Losing our technological edge.
Why Is Technology Education Important? (cont.) • Business & Industry • Costing them & to retrain new hires (Roman, 2001). • Need competent and capable 21st Century workforce. • Problem solving skills; Team mentality; Multi-dimensional (broad range) thinking to make connections; Planning skills; Mechanical aptitude (Ritz, 1994). • Tech Ed offers structured environment.
What Do Technology Educators Need To Know? • We DO make a difference in kid’s lives (Foster, 1994). • How to defend against “it’s just an exploratory class” mentality. • Tech Ed should be taken by all students, not just the ‘non-college’ bound (Eredson & Shumway, 2002; Kellam & Kelley, 2009). • What kids like about Tech Ed… • Environment where they feel comfortable, accepted, appreciated, happy, motivated, confident, competent, worthy…(Baylor, 2000).
What Do Technology Educators Need To Know? (cont.) • How the brain develops and learns! • Environment; experience; emotion • If the child is enjoying what they are doing, the brain will see it as important and retain it (Baylor, 2000)!
What Do Technology Educators Need To Do? • Teach the right stuff! • What industry is calling for; • What is representative of our culture (Hoepfl, 1998). • Take time for reflection… • How is my teaching affecting students? • What is working best and why (Merrill, 2004)? • Research! • Follow-up on grads (tech and non-tech) and compare current jobs/careers (Ritz, 1994). • Present learning opportunities that develop: • Critical thinking skills and teamwork!
Conclusion • Technology and technology education is important because: • Essential to the global economy • Losing our technological edge • Business & industry needs… • Technology Educators must know: • What to teach and how the brain learns and retains that knowledge • Who should take Tech Ed and why • How to represent the field… • Technology Educators must: • Teach what is needed and relevant • Reflect • Research
References • Baylor, S. (2000). Brain research and technology education. Technology Teacher, 59(7), 6. • Bybee, R., & Starkweather, K. (2006). The twenty-first century workforce: A contemporary challenge for technology education. Technology Teacher, 65(8), 27-32. • Devore, P.W. (1980). Technology, an introduction. Worcester, MA: Davis Publication, Inc. • Erekson, T., & Shumway, S. (2002). Technology education as college prep. Technology Teacher, 61(6), 10. • Foster, T., & Ritz, J. (1994). Educator to educator: A panel of educators answers your questions. Technology Teacher, 53(8), 13. • Hoepfl, M. (1998). Education for a technological world. Technology Teacher, 57(5), 29.
References (cont.) • Kellam, N., & Kelley, T. (2009). A theoretical framework to guide the re-engineering of technology education. Journal of Technology Education, 20(2), 37-49. • Merrill, C. (2004). Action research and technology education. Technology Teacher, 63(8), 6-8. • Ritz, J. (2009). A new generation of goals for technology education. Journal of Technology Education, 20(2), 50-64. • Roman, H. (2001). Why the business world likes technology education. Technology Teacher, 61(2), 29.