Essential Need
Growth in technology, its applications in industry and society, and the changing nature of the workforce makes it imperative for all Virginians to be technologically literate and confident. No matter what a person’s occupation – whether it be a newspaper reporter, homemaker, engineer, sales person, or architect, he or she will be faced with a variety of technological decisions each day. To prosper in this environment, they must be equipped with the skills to maintain control over their daily life and to make responsible decisions in a democracy influenced by technology. Technological studies must be a major partner in meeting the essential needs of citizens and in securing the economic prosperity of Virginia.
Technological Studies in Elementary School
Technology should be integrated throughout the elementary curriculum. At this level, students learn about the fundamentals of technology and how it relates to their family and neighborhoods. Through drawing, planning, designing, problem solving, building, and testing, students become involved in the kind of active learning that they need and enjoy. These experiences enable them to apply their technological knowledge to real life experiences and to develop critical thinking skills.
Technological Studies in Middle School
Throughout middle school, students will continue to develop an understanding of the breadth of technology in their society. They will study technology from a systems perspective through the application of resources to create processes to solve a problem or meet a need. Students will simulate, model, or sometimes create real technological solutions. They will learn to rely on principles of engineering, design, problem solving, and knowledge to synthesize a technological understanding. Studying the breadth of technology allows the early adolescent to begin forming ideas about work, careers, and consumerism. Middle school students will have experiences in units of study like Inventions and Innovations and Technological Systems.
Technological Studies in High School
During high school, students in technological studies should develop the capacity to make responsible judgments about technology’s use. Curriculum options should allow individual students to extend their technological knowledge in specific processes and technological courses, such as Technology Transfer, Introduction to Engineering, or Technology Assessment.
Curriculum Integration
Technological studies promotes an interdisciplinary learning environment. It enriches all aspects of a student’s educational experience – from science to the humanities. It helps students to understand an apply concepts learned in mathematics and principles studied in science, as well as communication skills developed in humanities with concepts and principals of technology. The results are students who are able to address the important question of “Why do I need to learn this?”
Technology is inherently linked to mathematics and science and is viewed as essential in preparing the engineers, architects, and scientists of the future. “It is the union of science, mathematics, and technology that forms the scientific endeavor and that makes it so successful. Although each of these human enterprises has a character and history of its own, each is dependent on and reinforces the others,” stated the American Association for the Advancement of Science (Rutherford, 1990, p.1) in its Benchmarks for Science Literacy. Of course, language arts is vitally linked to all of these.
Commitment and Responsibility to a Mission
All citizens of the Commonwealth have a responsibility for improving our – and our future generation’s – quality of life and Virginia’s economic prosperity. To achieve this, it is imperative that every Virginian have the opportunity to gain a technology education that will help prepare them to be a successful and productive citizen. The rapidly changing nature of the workplace, industry and commerce, and technological innovation mandates implementing a specific plan in which all Virginia students receive a quality education.
To achieve this goal of technological studies for all Virginia students, a commitment is needed from industry leaders, governmental decision-makers, and educators. Leaders in industry have a firsthand stake in the preparation of the future workforce. Politicians and government officials through service to their constituents must formally expand the role of technological studies. Educators should also apply their expertise in implementing this initiative.
Each of these groups of Virginians must unite around the goal that technological studies must become a part of every student’s education. Comprehensive programs from preschool through adulthood must provide instruction that ensures all students have the opportunity to achieve technological literacy and focus on life long learning.
This effort must be sustained over a period of years through the united effort of individuals from many sectors of our society. Funding, consultation, advocacy, and curriculum development require a concerted effort for a difference to be made. Our citizens of the Commonwealth deserve no less. Our students deserve much more.
The links below provide a quick way to communicate with your legislators to express support of the need for every child to study technology.
Legislative Information Systems
Joint Committee on Technology and Science (JCOTS)
"The Commission is charged to generally study all aspects of technology and science and to promote the development of technology and science in the Commonwealth of Virginia through sound public policies (Chapter 11 (§ 30-85 et seq.) of Title 30 of the Code of Virginia)."
House Joint Resolution 25
Joint Subcommittee Studying Science, Math, and Technology Education in the Commonwealth at the elementary, secondary, and undergraduate levels.
Contact Your Congressman!
Jesse W. White, Chair
VTEA Governmental Relations
Email: jeswhite@hampton.k12.va.us