Most students entering or graduating from high school have taken few if any courses in technology education, but they should!
Technology education is the study of the human ability to create and use tools to shape the natural environment to meet their needs (Wikipedia). Technology Education has evolved from Industrial Arts and Manual Training. Industrial Arts programs were also known as “shop classes”. Today, technology education students generally work in labs and perform laboratory-type activities, such as developing solar-powered race cars or designing bridges. It is problem-based learning that utilizes math, science and technology principles. Studies Involve:
* Designing, developing, and utilizing technological systems
* Open-ended, problem-based design activities
* Cognitive, manipulative, and effective learning strategies
* Applying technological knowledge and processes to real world experiences using up-to-date resources
* Working individually as well as in a team to solve problems
Although organizations such as the ITEA (International Technology Education Association), NASA, and the National Science Foundation are pushing for more hands-on, technology education courses to be integrated into the ‘normal’ high school curriculum, it is not occuring. If they do exist, they are electives that compete with the required curriculum.
Every year the list of required classes grows larger and funding for all courses seems to dwindle. Technology education classes often have material costs associated with them, so they tend to be one of the first electives cut. When the University first required a second langauage, for example, we watched technology education and “shop” classes get replaced by language classes at nearly every high school in the state. (Drafting, even though it is a language known world-wide, didn’t count as a language.)
It makes me wonder, what would happen if technology education classes were required in high school and our electives were reading, writing and arithmetic? Tell me what you think?
John Hartman, A.S., B.S., M.S.
Northwest Technical Institute
October 30th, 2006 at 11:20 am
Great insight, The challanges are many but doable.
November 14th, 2006 at 3:03 pm
“what would happen if technology education classes were required in high school and our electives were reading, writing and arithmetic?”
Interesting question. First, some incoming college students don’t have a firm grasp of reading, writing and arithmetic. Over 50% of students in this state, for example, must take remedial math classes before taking college level math. So I worry about making the basics electives.
At the same time however, I still use all those things I learned taking wood shop and drafting in high school. I have designed and built several decks, remodeled a few houses (including wiring and plumbing), and general contracted a major addition to another home. I can calculate the amount of paint and wallpaper I need, the size and quantity of lumber for deck that will hold a hot tub, and the rise, run and stringer size for a winding staircase. All this I learned in high school.
In addition, I never would have thought of becoming a tool designer without exposure to mechanical drafting in high school. Without this experience, I would have never went to tech college. I would not have been able to support myself by the age of 21; and would not be who I am today.
So, taking all that into account, I want all HS grads to be competent in reading, writing and arithmetic, and still have opportunities to learn all those hands on skills that last a lifetime.