Most broadly, technology means “human innovation in action.” We are used to thinking of computers and other high-tech machinery as technology, but what about bicycles, books, and basic tools? In all societies for thousands of years, people have depended on technologies to adapt to their environments. Though we design technologies for certain tasks, they can often bring about unintended consequences. What makes the modern world different, perhaps, is the incredible speed of technological change, coupled with the unprecedented expansion of our power to manipulate the world around us.

Given this, it is not unusual for people to feel helpless in the technological world. Students must therefore be introduced to the nature of technology through both design and use. They should also be exposed to the latest advances in an empowering way. This goes beyond using technology in classrooms, although this is also important. A successful technology education prepares students to be confident participants – users, designers, and decision makers – in a rapidly changing technological society. Since modern technology depends on (and advances) knowledge in science and mathematics, technology education requires strong preparation in those areas as well. 

• What is technology?
• Why teach technology?
• What should technology education look like?
• How does technology education in my state compare?
• How has technology education come up in other districts?
• How can I get my board talking about this?

What is technology?

• A brief definition from the National Academy of Engineering
• A description from Barry Burke of the International Technology Education Association (ITEA). [VIDEO]

The nature of technology

• An in-depth look at the nature of technology in Chapter 3 of AAAS’s Science for All Americans.
• A brief discussion from the National Academy of Engineering.

Why teach technology?

What does technology education look like?

• A description of technology education based on programs in Montgomery County, MD
• Standards from AAAS’s Benchmarks for Science Literacy. In particular, see Chapter 3 (“The Nature of Technology”) and Chapter 8 (“The Designed World”)
• Technology standards from ITEA
• A description of technology education from Barry Burke of ITEA.
• Science magazine examines how education is changing in the face of technology including what one can learn from video games, the value of digital libraries, how large-scale testing might be improved by technology, where cognitive science meets education, and more.
• The International Technology Education Association's blog,"Advocating Technology Literacy",  delivers news and commentary about technological literacy using text, images and links to other sources.
• An article from the March issue of The Technology Teacher describes a symposium that provided an opportunity for teachers and administrators in South Carolina to discuss ways to promote technological literacy through STEM education.

How does technology education in my state compare to other states?

• The 2008 State Technology Report by the publisher of Education Week examines how well each state addresses technology education

• A technology education program in Howard County, Maryland that is required for all students and that faced some initial resistance due to a lack of understanding regarding the nature of technology. 
• An award-winning California district offers a class that uses technology to solve school and community problems

How can I get my board and community talking about this?

• PowerPoint slides with talking points to help begin a conversation about technology. Choose "save" to access talking points.