What is Technological Literacy?
Research indicates that most people have a limited conception of technology. A Gallup poll conducted in 2004 asked 800 adults in the United States to name the first thing that came to mind when they heard the word technology. The answers were 60% said computers and 5% percent said electronics according to an International technology education association (ITEA) report.
Overall technology literacy is about human abilities to change the world: by cutting, shaping, or assembling together materials; to transport materials or people from one place to another; to reach the planets and explore our universe.
One way to conceptualize technology is to think of human beings as living in three dimensional surfaces where the ground water and air have their own environments interacting with each other to balance the wellbeing of the planet and its occupants. Technology is then a design that humans place on the natural world to accommodate and to satisfy their needs and wants.
In order to study technology, it is necessary to develop a catalog that classifies products and systems of technology into parts that can be analyzed individually. Cataloging is a continuing process parallel to the technological innovation that takes place. As an example, years past, information technology did not exist in our catalog of classes indicating that as new technologies are developed so are the classifications to name and catalog them. As students of science well know breaking things into smaller parts makes it easier to study and understand its functions like cells in the human body, atoms in particles and planets in outer space.
The committee Standards for Technological Literacy recognizes the following nomenclatures:
- Medical Technologies
- “Technologies associated with diagnosing, treating, and preventing disease and other damage to the body or mind.”
- Agriculture and Related Biotechnologies
- “Technologies that relate to raising crops and animals for food, feed, fiber, fuel, or other purposes.”
- Energy and Power Technologies
- “Technologies related to harnessing energy resources and converting energy to power.”
- Information and Communication Technologies
- “Technologies, including educational technologies, developed for gathering, manipulating, classifying, storing, and retrieving information.”
- Transportation Technologies
- “Technological processes and systems by which people or goods are moved from one place to another.”
- Manufacturing Technologies
- “Technological processes and systems that convert materials into finished products.”
- Construction Technologies
- “Technological processes and systems associated with the construction of buildings, roads, levees, and other structures.”
The International Technology and Engineering Educators Association (ITEEA), states in its introductory remarks a background for technological development:
Historical background
“Human beings have been adapting their environment to better suit their needs and wants since before recorded history. There have always been people who designed and built tools or other devices to solve problems or improve lives. As civilizations developed, people began reshaping their environment with farms, villages, ships, roads, and eventually great cities. With each advance came new challenges that required more complex and creative solutions. One early example of an activity that we now call engineering was the construction and improvement of the aqueduct system that transported water in and around Rome starting in the fourth century BC. A project of that scope today would be largely the responsibility of engineers. The profession we know as engineering today emerged during the 1500’s when specialists began using mathematics to design military fortifications. These special military architects would generally let craftsmen do the actual construction, thus becoming the first true engineers in the modern sense of the word. It was during the late 1800’s when inventors began identifying with the engineering process and the engineering profession began to divide into special disciplines, such as civil, mechanical, and electrical engineering. Up until the Civil War, United States engineers were trained at military academies or through industry apprenticeship programs. Since the 1860’s more emphasis has been place on formal training that includes significant courses in mathematics and science. For example, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology opened in 1865 with 15 students.”
In the U.S., science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) degree production is not keeping pace with the demand for STEM talent. Women, ethnic minorities, and persons with disabilities represent the largest untapped STEM talent pool. STEM outlook for the coming generations of students is to support continuous improvement and accountability and the teaching and learning needed for the 21st century skills that students need to thrive in the global economy.
In a webinar conducted in January 10, 2018 Sharon Bowers, Senior STEM Education Specialist at the National Institute of Aerospace (NIA) shared NASA and NIA engineering and design challenges and resources during this session. Ms., Sharon was introduced as the program manager for NASA in World OPTIMUS PRIME Spinoff Promotion and Research Challenge and she has designed and teaches graduate courses for McDaniel College that lead to a certificate in STEM instructional leadership.
PRE-K
PRIMARY (K-2)
UPPER ELEMENTARY (3-5)
MIDDLE SCHOOL (6-8)
HIGH SCHOOL (9-12)
ALGEBRA
ARITHMETIC
ART
CALCULUS
CHEMISTRY
EARTH & SPACE SCIENCES
ENGINEERING
GEOMETRY
LANGUAGE ARTS
LIFE SCIENCES
PHYSICS/PHYSICAL SCIENCES
ARTS
SOCIAL STUDIES/HISTORY
TRIGONOMETRY
Here is a list of achievements in the 20th century on technology and engineering that has shaped our world. Published by the International Technology Education Association (ITEA).
1. Electrification
2. Automobile
3. Airplane
4. Water Supply and Distribution
5. Electronics
6. Radio and Television
7. Agricultural Mechanization
8. Computers
9. Telephone
10. Air Conditioning and Refrigeration
11. Highways
12. Spacecraft
13. Internet
14. Imaging
15. Household Appliances
16. Health Technologies
17. Petroleum and Petrochemical Technologies
18. Laser and Fiber Optics
19. Nuclear Technologies
20. High-performance Materials
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