Technology

The field that studies technology, teaches students about the processes involved with technology and the knowledge behind it is called technology education. The field of study involves ways in which humans are able to change and shape materials by manipulating them to devices and products that meet our needs. In education, a student studies in order to gain a firm understanding of how technology works and techniques to develop a “technological literacy”. This is accomplished by providing students with field and laboratory work and activities to gain a first-hand account of technological studies. The term technology education is generally shortened and referred to as “tech ed”.

The History of Technology in Education Throughout the World:
Many countries have evolved their technology education programs as new technological advancements have occurred throughout the world. They have changed through their craft, technical skills, and education through programs such as industrial arts. Also known as shop classes, industrial arts is a simple, and long existing educational program where objects are created through the manipulation of wood and/or metal using powered machine and hand tools. Advancements has changed the structure of technology in education, as most learning is done through work in labs and laboratory activities. “Shops” is an old-fashion term used to refer to technology in education, but the most widely-used term today is “lab”. The hierarchy of science education is as follows:

• Science: discovering knowledge about the world in which we live;
• technology: applying the knowledge about the world to solve problems;
• engineering: using knowledge to create structure in the world.

Britain is thought of as the first country to implement technology in education as a general subject that is taught from first grade until grade 11. The subject of technology in British schools evolves and becomes more advanced as children moved up in grade levels. Early on, technology in education includes the craft and design of technology and “domestic science”, a subject similar to “home economics” (working with home appliances and food). Since problem solving is considered to be an integral part of the field of technology, Britain began implementing more problem-solving and analytical thinking courses to later grades and secondary schools. These were called technology colleges and took a problem-solving approach to the study of technology education.

What are the Goals of Technology Education?
The goal of technology education is to explore and discover concepts in many activities pertaining to the world. The idea is to give students the tools necessary to assess problematic situations and use knowledge and concepts learned from their education to solve those problems in the best way possible. Students are meant to develop a better understanding of how inventions work, have an appreciation for people that created those inventions, and understand how they have made lives better. Students in technology education are also expected to develop minor skills to a certain degree to understand how systems within the world work and co-exist.