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Technological advances are affecting the way we live our lives, from recreational activities to vocational opportunities. These advances are occurring at a phenomenal rate with technical knowledge doubling every five years. Knowledge is power, and those that possess technological knowledge will hold the power of the future.
Technology education is a phase of general education that should acquaint the student with the origin and development of technology and industry and reflect changing technological advances. It should develop attitudes that promote understanding of these changes and provide insight in adjusting to our modern technological society. This technological literacy is the type of thinking that alters culture, forces a new way of life, a new morality, and a new purpose for human beings.
Technology education should promote proactive vice reactive thinking. Students should learn to examine all aspects of any problem and to devise appropriate solutions. This proactive approach teaches the student the critical thinking skills necessary to understand and control technology.
Technology education is interdisciplinary. Everything is interrelated. All academic areas such as mathematics, science, geography, social studies, English, foreign languages, etc., should be integrated in the teaching of technology. Failure to do so gives the student a narrow and inaccurate view of technology. Therefore, to effectively teach technology, teachers must incorporate this approach in their classrooms and laboratories.
Technology education should emphasize learning by doing. Classroom and laboratory work should be designed to maximize the use of hands-on activities to further learning. Attention to detail in this area will not only assist in the teaching of complex subject matter but it will also make learning fun.
Lastly, technology education should encourage life-long learning. For too long the K-12 years have been viewed as a schooling system instead of a learning system. The information age will allow this approach no longer. Technology changes swiftly, the novel device of today becomes the archaic gadget of tomorrow. The implementation of the above philosophy will help create this learning system in K-12 education, encourage life-long learning in our students, promote proactive thinking, provide an interdisciplinary approach to curriculum, make learning fun, and promote technological literacy. Since knowledge is power, technology education is the key that will give our students the power to shape the future.
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