Instructional Strategies
The instructional strategies suggested in this IRP include techniques, ideas, and methods that illustrate a variety of approaches to the prescribed curriculum for a diverse population of students. Teachers determine the best instruction methods for their students, the best way to group students for particular studies, and the best way to present material to make it relevant and interesting.
Context Statements
Each set of instructional strategies in this IRP starts with a context statement, followed by several examples of instructional activities. The context statement links the prescribed learning outcomes with instruction. It states why these learning outcomes are important for the student's development and suggests some ways to integrate the learning outcomes into various subject areas.
Strategies
The suggested instructional strategies may be undertaken by individual students, partners, or small groups. Technology education emphasizes the skills needed in a continually changing workplace. Emphasis is given to the following:
- Strategies that foster the development of individual and group skills. The workplace requires that people work effectively, individually and with others, to solve problems and to complete tasks. Students need to experience the dynamics of group work to enhance their understanding of the problem-solving process. Group work focusses on such skills as collaboration, communication, leadership, and co-operation.
- Strategies that develop applied skills. In order to see technology education as relevant and useful, students must learn how it can be applied to a variety of real-world situations. Technology education helps students to understand and interpret their world, and to identify and solve problems that occur in their daily lives.
As students access, synthesize, and present information, they apply their skills in various subject areas. They listen, read, write, and present ideas for various purposes, find specific information and summarize it graphically and in writing, and apply their knowledge of mathematics and science to the projects they develop.
- Strategies that foster research and critical-thinking skills. In order to make informed and responsible choices about the appropriate use of technology, students need to listen, view, and read critically.
- Strategies that use technology. The ability to use technology to solve problems is becoming a mandatory skill in the workplace and is an important "new basic" in postsecondary education. Students use technology to access information, to calculate, and to enhance the presentation of ideas.
- Strategies that require the solving of problems involving design. Students identify needs, pose real or invented problems of their own, and respond to problems presented by the teacher.
To develop decision-making and problem-solving skills, students need to be challenged to identify problems and present appropriate design solutions. The problems students identify or are assigned in technology education involve the development of new or improved products and systems.
Problem-Solving Models
Models that describe problem-solving processes should be developed with students so they understand the recurring nature of solving real-world problems (as part of a problem is solved, new problems arise and some steps in the processes recur). The following diagrams present a variety of approaches to describe problem-solving in technology education. They are intended to provide teachers with ideas. They are not intended as prescribed models.
A Simple Linear Model
Some models suggest that problem solving is a set of clearly defined and prescribed steps. This is rarely the case.
Identify
Problems
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Research
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Generate
Ideas
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Revise
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Make
Product
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Evaluate
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Designing, Troubleshooting and Social Impact Models
Some specialized problems are approached in unique ways
Troubleshooting
Troubleshooting is a method of solving problems used to isolate and diagnose a malfunction.
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- Identify purpose of system (inputs and outputs)
- Identify purpose of subsystems (inputs and outputs)
- Test subsystems
- Identify cause and implement solution
- Test solution
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Social Impact
This a method of solving problems used to appraise the social, environmental, and ethical implications of technological decisions.
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- Identify consequences and effects
- Develop a value system through critical thinking
- Judge benefits and disadvantages of technological applications
- Make ethical decisions
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Some models suggest a continuous flow of activity, from problem identification to the development of a refined product.
Interactive models illustrate the complexity of a process, where at any time you might move to any point in the process in order to figure something out.
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Maintained by: Technology Education Coordinator
Revised: February 27, 1996
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