Technology and Efficiency: Competencies as Content

Abstract

Technology Education in the Classroom, is a timely book.Drawing from a large number of examples, the authors discuss technology education's potential contribution to the K-12 curriculum.The sweep of the text is broad, including references to technology education in other countries in addition to numerous program examples in the United States.The reader can see how technology education is used at different levels of schooling; how the subject field can be integrated with the teaching of science, math and design; how activities can be used to enhance and enrich learning; and how interest and motivation can be an instrumental part of a teaching strategy.The authors present ways to structure curricula which are rich in purpose, expansive, alive, and relevant to kids.The text is a good guide to what technology can be.This is also a useful book.Reference is made throughout the text to how technology education concepts can be applied in the classroom setting, and the text is crammed with program examples.Although grades K-12 are covered, the main emphasis is on K through the middle school grades.There are 30 separate "classroom vignettes" tightly written descriptions of specific classroom activities used to introduce various technological concepts.These range from such diverse topics as "A Solar Hot Water Heater: Using Science in the Technology Classroom," and "Building Model Bridges: A Design and Technology Challenge," to "The 'Best' Jar Opener," an activity intended to engage students in investigating a practical problem, "Little Whizzers," the construction of a simple toy demonstrating physics concepts, "Green Gunge," a study of water treatment, and "Beyond Occupational Specificity and Gender Bias," a discussion of curriculum reorganization to eliminate gender separation.Each vignette is designed to address a specific student group, and each has a specific instructional purpose.The vignettes are used by the authors to illustrate the instructional ideas presented.The authors discuss why technology education is important and how it can be used in the school.Attention is given to curriculum design, teaching and learning strategies, and program planning and implementation.Throughout, the discussion is practical and useful.

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