Suggests that engaging students in designing and making play spaces for younger children makes meaningful learning fun and instills values of community service. (JOW)

Describes how a middle school teacher has implemented the Standards for Technological Literacy. Illustrates the evaluation of each lesson by national and state standards and benchmarks and district, program, and course outcomes. (JOW)

Describes visualization tools such as VRML, Tool Command Language, iPIX, QuickTIme, and Synchronized Multimedia Integration Language, which are increasingly used in manufacturing. Discusses their uses in technology education. (SK)

Effective professional development has the learning of all students at its core, focuses on expert and unique knowledge, recognizes that principles for improving student learning also guide professional learning, acknowledges learners' current understanding, and aligns with system-based changes. (JOW)

This keynote address at the FTE Spirit of Excellence Breakfast presented by Jack Wescott, describes his observations regarding the characteristics of those individuals who were influential to his career. Described in the address are what the author considers to be the six characteristics of a "somebody": (1) Being a "somebody" is dependent upon…

Designing standards-based assessment is a key component of a quality technology education program. For students to become technologically literate, it is important that the teacher understands how to measure student understandings and abilities in the study of technology. This article is written to help teachers and teacher educators recognize the…

The figures in this report reflect the financial year, which ended on June 30, 2003. The balance shown is the result of specifically planned activities on behalf of the Board of Directors and the headquarters staff to balance the budget. The Board monitors the financial condition of the association and foundation on an ongoing basis through its…

Technology educators are constantly in search of new tools and methods to enhance the education of their students. This article is an excerpt from a longer article published in "The Technology Teacher" that introduced the technology education community to a research- and knowledge-based methodology for design--invention and innovation. This…

In a continuous effort to teach real-world concepts and skills, community outreach projects can be one of the main avenues of student success in the field of technology. Employers are interested in students who have real-world exposure as well as a depth and breadth of academic experiences. This article provides the technology education teacher…

The authors describe the "central project" concept for implementing technology education while addressing education reform. The central project is a topic around which students, teachers, administrators, and the community focus their energies as a team. At McCullough High School (Texas), the central project involved design and…

Discusses current issues and work on the planned manufacturing Space Station. Such topics as human resources, energy sources, and types of products to be manufactured in space are covered. The possibility of mining other planets for raw materials is considered. Student activities and a quiz covering the article are included. (CH)

Describes a plan for providing leadership to the field of technology education. Techniques include formation of an entrepreneurial task force with concrete goals to facilitate change. (CH)

Moving from a consideration of the purposes and requirements of doctoral programs in general, the author focuses on discipline-oriented degrees and presents the goals and characteristics of the doctor of industrial technology program at the University of Northern Iowa. (SK)

Provides the background of the International Technology Education Association's Technology for All Americans Project and the process used to establish standards for technology education. (JOW)

Describes how the British use museum visits as an opportunity for young people to place themselves in a wider context of time and place while learning about their technical heritage. (JOW)