Thread: Technology?

Seems to me that when one talks about "technology" in education, the term has been hijacked by computers.

Technology is in fact "the application of practical or mechanical sciences to industry or commerce", and the curriculum designers who originated this subject terminology intended it to be applied to all areas, not just computers.

Schools are all to ready to buy a room full of computers but ask them to buy a CIM centre like the one supplied by [url="http://www.appliedresolution.com.au"]http://www.appliedresolution.com.au[/url] and there is great hesitation. This machine is on the preferred contract list in most Australian States. Installed in NSW (the most populated state) schools - 0. Main reason - cost.

The offshoot is that "boys education" is a worry. "How do we engage boys?" Is the big question being asked, and they pour money into research when the answer is evident. Boys don't want to make pencil cases, design cover sheets, send greeting cards, or design a presentation, they want to make things that work.

I had a year 12 kid that completed a little steam engine. He powered it up and chug chug it worked perfectly. He held it lovingly in his hands and, with a little tear in his eye said, "gee I'm proud of that".

Should have happened to him in year 7 or 8. Real motivation to learn about how things work, the maths and physics of the construction, the english to question and report, the history of invention and more.

Technology to me is the "how" of things working not working them.

Glenn