Technology Education is More Than Just Computers Ken Volk, Ph.D. Masdar Institute of Science & Technology.

Technology Education is More Than Just ComputersKen Volk, Ph.D.

Masdar Institute of Science & Technology

Technology Defined

Engineering uses the design process to produce workable solutions.

Technology is output of engineering.

Science focuses on the natural world, with the output being knowledge.

Technology Education is not Educational Technology

Technology Education Experiential Learning

More than hearing & seeing!

Hands-on problem solving!

Applies math and science!

Use of tools, materials and engineering design techniques!

Solar Hotdog Cookers

Attitudes & Technology A person’s negative or

positive feelings that influence their behavior

Based on: Knowledge, Experience Ideas

Shaped by interactions with technology(parents, teachers, friends, culture, etc, too!)

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Pupils’ Attitudes Toward TechnologyPATT-UAE Grade 8 students in the UAE 21 public and 12 private schools Over 1800 students participated

Are there differences that exist between boys’ and girls’ attitudes toward technology?

Are there differences between pupils’ attitudes toward technology from UAE public and private schools?

PATT-UAE

Interest I like to read technological magazines

Role Pattern Boys are able to do practical things better than girls

Difficulty You have to be smart to study technology

Consequences The world would be a better place without technology

Curriculum Technology lessons are important

Career I would enjoy a job in technology

Demographics and technological home climate 58 Statements about technology Example statements:

Cross Comparisons of Gender with Student Characteristics and Home Environment

Public Private Schools (in %) Schools (in %) Boys (n=449)Girls (n=608) Boys (n=411) Girls (n=375)

Extent father’s job has to do with technology Very much 9.4 13.2 24.1 29.6 Much 19.9 26.5 57.3 57.2 Little 22.6 28.3 15.6 12.6 Very little 19.9 20.7 1.9 0.3 Not working 28.2 11.3 1.1 0.3

Extent mother’s job has to do with technology Very much 5.5 7.2 9.5 11.0 Much 6.6 8.1 11.9 18.5 Little 10.7 13.0 16.8 18.5 Very little 16.8 14.2 16.8 10.1 Not working 60.3 57.5 45.0 42.0

Will choose a technological profession Yes 63.4 61.9 64.8 50.9 No 36.6 38.1 35.2 49.1

PATT RESULTS - DEMOGRAPHICS

t Tests on Student Characteristics - Public Schools

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Gender Boys (449) 2.32 3.00 3.09 2.27 2.38 2.41 Girls (608) 2.37 2.64 3.08 2.12 2.42 2.42 Significance ** **

Choose technological profession

Yes (653) 2.21 2.75 3.11 2.09 2.24 2.17 No (376) 2.58 2.87 3.04 2.36 2.87 2.86 Significance ** ** ** ** **

**p<=0.05

Public Schools

NOTE: Lower number = more positive attitudes

t Tests on Student Characteristics - Private Schools

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Gender Boys (414) 2.36 2.65 2.65 2.29 2.35 2.40 Girls (375) 2.67 1.99 2.73 2.35 2.44 2.66 Significance ** ** ** **

Choose technological profession

Yes (440) 2.30 2.37 2.74 2.22 2.29 2.21 No (331) 2.79 2.33 2.64 2.44 2.65 2.97 Significance ** ** ** ** **

**p<=0.05

Private Schools

NOTE: Lower number = more positive attitudes

Discussion Students from public schools

Generally not as positive as private schools about- Difficulty Role pattern School curriculum Consequences of technology

Girls from private schools not as positive about-

Interest Career aspirations

Constructing working model Wind Turbines

To Teach About Technology (#1) Have Technology Education as separate subject

Traditional: Communication Power & Energy Graphic Communication

Sustainability Class project to tackle sustainability challenge Build, test monitor photovoltaic system

Robotics and Control Technology LEGO Robotics Robot Olympiad competition

To Teach About Technology (#2) Have Technology Education as STEM

Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics Integrate instruction and activities Encourages

Creative-problem solving Hands-on experiences Use of variety of tools, materials, processes, etc

Emphasizes Process and design of solutions Rather than solutions themselves!

To Teach About Technology (#3) Have Technology Education - Modified STEM

Concentrates “T” & “”E’ in Science Science already has lab approach Study of scientists and grad students

recommended- More hands-on learning More real and applied problem

ConclusionCannot assume technology education will influence attitudes, but.....

... has potential as a subject, through hands-on creative problem-solving activities, to provide meaningful interdisciplinary learning experiences about technology to all students.

KV