At Tecumseh Middle School in Indiana the technology education teachers are part of a team consisting of language arts, math, social studies, and science teachers who work together on items of common interest and student needs. There is a scheduled period each day for instructors to meet to develop plans and activities to help students become more…

The author shares how his technology education students at Tecumseh Middle School help his former student from a Purdue class, Ryan Smith, who was called to active military duty. Ryan was teaching technology education at Lafayette Jefferson High School when he was called by the military in the fall of 2004 to report to active duty. Before…

Analysis of the typical training program provided to Japanese workers reveals a potential curriculum component that might be adopted by technology educators to teach quality control. The component focuses on the use of statistical techniques, participative problem solving, and creativity training. (CH)

Discusses the potential global and societal futures that will affect all of humankind, the implications of these futures for education and learning, practical action steps that technology education should take to better address the potential alternative futures, and the educational data available to assist staffs, students, and communities through…

The imperative for studying about technology becomes more urgent as time goes on, because technological systems, by their nature, continue to expand and become more complex. In deciding what knowledge is valued, educators must consider the natural world. (JOW)

A survey of 154 women who are professionals in technology education asked what can be done to improve the enrollment and retention of females in technology education in secondary schools. Suggestions include redefining the curriculum, educating guidance counselors, changing scheduling and requirements, trying single-sex classes, and establishing…

In August 2001, North Carolina State University received a four-year grant from the National Science Foundation to develop standards-based instructional materials for 20 Technology Student Association (TSA) activities. The TECH-know Project represents a significant collaboration between selected state departments, universities, businesses, and…

The technological systems of communication, production, and transportation provide the content for structuring technology education programs. State departments of education have produced curriculum materials based on these systems. To make programs meaningful, teachers must focus on technological systems and must study the technical and…

Describes a program funded by the Maryland State Department of Education that promotes interaction among technology, mathematics, and science programs. The program features a two-week workshop during which three teachers from each school prepare interdisciplinary lesson units, one-day workshops for all technology faculty, and a statewide…

Processing of the three major groups of modern glasses is described. Low-melting-point glasses and the roles of their ingredients are discussed. Other processes (calcining, melting, fining the batch, annealing, testing for stress, colorants) are explained. Finally, a secondary-level pilot program for glass technology is suggested. (CT)

Ways to encourage wider adoption of technology education include school-based management, more choice of schools and curriculum providers, greater use of instructional technology, alternative certification for teachers and administrators, and structural changes in time schedules, performance-based funding, and state and federal regulations. (SK)

Bridge construction is a popular classroom activity. However, the basic principles of tension, compression, and counterbalance are not always clearly represented and defined. The common materials used to construct model bridges, such as straws, toothpicks, Legos[TM], and building blocks, are often too flexible or stationary to demonstrate the…

Describes the technology curriculum for eighth graders at the Greece Central School District in New York. The curriculum features technology program/library cooperation to let students produce video programming. (CH)

Examines ways of meeting the needs of special education students in technology education. Discusses activity-oriented instruction, adding relevance to the instruction, the development of problem-solving and communication skills, the use of peer tutors, involving a special educator in industrial arts classes, safety concerns, and available…

An integrated unit for third graders expanded knowledge of geometry, geography, and social studies; taught construction technology principles; and increased cultural awareness. The activity involved hands-on study of the culture of Cameroon through cassava tasting and construction of a village. (SK)