INTRODUCTION TO TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION 8 TO 10

This Integrated Resource Package (IRP) contains prescribed learning outcomes and support materials for the Grades 8 to10 Technology Education curriculum. It has been designed to help teachers identify possible ways to link learning outcomes, instructional strategies, and assessment strategies.

Principles of Learning

Technology education should be guided by the principles of learning. These are:

Learning requires the active participation of the student.
People learn in a variety of ways and at different rates.
Learning is both an individual and a group process.

Rationale

Technology is embodied in devices that extend human capabilities. It provides the tools to extend our vision, to send and receive sounds and images from around the world, and to improve health, personal relationships, lifestyle, economies, and ecosystems.

Technology is a dominant force in today's society. Technological literacy is as essential to participation in modern society as is numeracy and the ability to read and write. A technologically literate person uses tools, materials, systems, and processes in an informed, ethical, and responsible way. Technology education helps young people prepare to live and work in a technological world.

The Aim and Approach of The Curriculum

The aim of the Grades K to 12 Technology Education curriculum is to help students develop the technological literacy and lifelong learning patterns that they need to live and work effectively in a changing technological society. To achieve this, the curriculum provides a framework for students to learn how to design and make solutions to real-world problems.

Preparing for the Workplace

To meet career challenges, students must be able to make independent decisions, solve problems, work independently and co-operatively with others, and become technically competent. Technology education helps students develop the types of learning patterns that are required in today's changing workplace.

Preparing the Citizen

To be responsible members of society, students must be aware of the ever-growing impacts of technology. They need to reflect critically on technology's role in society and consider its positive and negative effects. Technology education fosters the development of skills and attitudes that increase students' abilities to address the social and ethical issues of technological advancements.

Relevant to Everyone

The Grades K to 12 Technology Education curriculum is designed to provide learning opportunities for male and female students with a wide range of abilities. The instructional and assessment strategies described in this Integrated Resource Package encourage students to apply skills and knowledge gained in and out of the classroom to the design and making of solutions to real-life problems. As students study technology related to the materials, tools, and processes used in their design and practical work, they develop research skills and learn how to evaluate their work. Because of the changing nature of society and the workplace, the skills, knowledge, and attitudes developed in technology education are relevant to many other areas of life.

Preparing for Further Education

The technology education curriculum spans Kindergarten to Grade 12. It provides a framework for students to solve problems using a design process and make what they have designed. The aim of the curriculum is to develop technological literacy and lifelong learning patterns that will enable students to live and work effectively in a changing technological society. The following provides an overview of technology education, Kindergarten to Grade 12.

Grades K to 3

Students begin to appreciate that technology is everywhere. They become aware of the role of technology in their lives by exploring familiar devices. Through problem-solving activities, they develop group interaction and communication skills, and self-confidence in handling simple processes and products. Student activities are based on classroom themes and their own experiences and personal interests. In grades K to 3, students:
construct devices that are useful and relevant to them
explore materials, tools, and processes, independently and in groups
realize that there are several solutions to a single problem
learn the importance of using tools and materials safely

Grades 4 to 7

Students consider the personal, community, and global consequences in the use of technology now and in the future, and develop a concern for its responsible application. They investigate the historical development of technology and begin to appreciate its impact on society and individuals. By investigating a product from its inception to its completion, students learn to research, create, and communicate solutions to design problems. In grades 4 to 7, students:
gain experience using a variety of communication tools (e.g., modem, CD-ROM, video, overhead projector)
identify problems involving design and investigate possible solutions
use an expanding variety of tools, materials, and production processes
use objective tests and feedback to refine and modify designs
become increasingly responsible for managing their time and resources, and for planning and organizing their activities within a specific task
begin to recognize that a system is made up of parts and devices that interact to achieve a purpose

Grades 8 to 10

Students work in specialized environments to develop and use technological solutions to problems that they identify or that are identified for them. They continue to learn about the technical requirements of various careers. They consider the personal, local, and global consequences, and the cultural, ethical, and aesthetic implications of technology. They investigate the future applications of technology to improve the human condition. In grades 8 to 10, students:
set goals, develop plans, and assess their own ability to design products (individually and in groups)
use graphic designs and oral and written language to convey technical ideas
learn about the safe use of specialized tools and machinery
consider how they will use technology in daily life and in the workplace
study the characteristics and uses of materials and information while solving problems involving design that occur in daily life and in the workplace
learn to create and manage systems that energize and control products

Grades 11 to 12

Students work in a sophisticated technological learning environment designed to promote their skills, knowledge, and abilities to solve complex and varied problems. Students take advantage of opportunities to prepare for postsecondary training opportunities. In grades 11 to 12, students:
develop skills appropriate to the workplace
produce products and systems that meet community standards
work in co-operative groups to develop solutions to real-life problems
develop detailed understanding of materials, processes, systems, and information gathering
select appropriate technologies to solve problems
evaluate possible solutions using models, simulations, and prototypes

Table of Contents

Province of British Columbia
Ministry of Education
MOE Curriculum Branch

Maintained by: Technology Education Coordinator

Revised: February 27, 1996

Ministry of Education Home Page

Grades K to 3
Students begin to appreciate that technology is everywhere. They become aware of the role of technology in their lives by exploring familiar devices. Through problem-solving activities, they develop group interaction and communication skills, and self-confidence in handling simple processes and products. Student activities are based on classroom themes and their own experiences and personal interests.	In grades K to 3, students: construct devices that are useful and relevant to them explore materials, tools, and processes, independently and in groups realize that there are several solutions to a single problem learn the importance of using tools and materials safely
Grades 4 to 7
Students consider the personal, community, and global consequences in the use of technology now and in the future, and develop a concern for its responsible application. They investigate the historical development of technology and begin to appreciate its impact on society and individuals. By investigating a product from its inception to its completion, students learn to research, create, and communicate solutions to design problems.	In grades 4 to 7, students: gain experience using a variety of communication tools (e.g., modem, CD-ROM, video, overhead projector) identify problems involving design and investigate possible solutions use an expanding variety of tools, materials, and production processes use objective tests and feedback to refine and modify designs become increasingly responsible for managing their time and resources, and for planning and organizing their activities within a specific task begin to recognize that a system is made up of parts and devices that interact to achieve a purpose
Grades 8 to 10
Students work in specialized environments to develop and use technological solutions to problems that they identify or that are identified for them. They continue to learn about the technical requirements of various careers. They consider the personal, local, and global consequences, and the cultural, ethical, and aesthetic implications of technology. They investigate the future applications of technology to improve the human condition.	In grades 8 to 10, students: set goals, develop plans, and assess their own ability to design products (individually and in groups) use graphic designs and oral and written language to convey technical ideas learn about the safe use of specialized tools and machinery consider how they will use technology in daily life and in the workplace study the characteristics and uses of materials and information while solving problems involving design that occur in daily life and in the workplace learn to create and manage systems that energize and control products
Grades 11 to 12
Students work in a sophisticated technological learning environment designed to promote their skills, knowledge, and abilities to solve complex and varied problems. Students take advantage of opportunities to prepare for postsecondary training opportunities.	In grades 11 to 12, students: develop skills appropriate to the workplace produce products and systems that meet community standards work in co-operative groups to develop solutions to real-life problems develop detailed understanding of materials, processes, systems, and information gathering select appropriate technologies to solve problems evaluate possible solutions using models, simulations, and prototypes