Bobby Washington
ETEC 424
November 19, 2011
Technology Education
CITATION:
Lee, Kerry. (2011). Looking Back, to Look Forward: Using Traditional Cultural Examples to Explain Contemporary Ideas in Technology Education.
Digital Library and Archives. Journal Technology Education
42-52.Retrieved from http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/ejournals/JTE/v22n2/pdf/lee.pdf
This article is about a research that was conducted in different countries. It provides justification and examples emphasizing how historical, societal, cultural, and environmental emphases can be used to design and create a technology program. Over the last decade, change has been constant in education. Technology education is the same way. Providing justification and examples educators can see the strength and the ease with which they should include technology into their curriculum.
The study showed that the Swedish technology curriculum requires students to be able to describe important factors in technology development, both in the past and present. The South African technology curriculum requires a third grade learner to find out about the historical context when given a problem, need or opportunity related to structures, processing or systems and control. The New Zealand curriculum requires students to appreciate the nature of technology and become familiar with current and historical issues.
An authentic learning environment allows students to develop knowledge using real world examples. In doing that teachers are able to close the gap between technology in the real world and technology education in schools. Children will be able to see that yes, technology is used in the real world such as viewing the latest I-phone or playing online games. They will also be able to see they could use it in education by looking up news articles online or browsing the web to find something they need for class.
When it comes to my vision with education and technology I view it as a very beneficial tool. In my opinion teaching reflects these changes.
Providing historical and cultural examples will not only value students’ cultural understanding, but also it will also help them develop a broader understanding of technology. Education is constantly changing. They are either adding to the curriculum or taking away. I feel the same when it comes to technology. More technology is being incorporated into the classrooms. When I think about the online classes I am now taking the importance of education speaks for itself. This would not be possible with out technology. I work and have a life outside of school. My online classes are allowing me to finish up school and not give up my outside activities. Technology will continue to grow.
As teachers and students of today’s world we need to look at yesterday in order to design a better tomorrow.
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