Technology EducationTechnology Education

Neshaminy School DistrictNeshaminy School District

at

A Brief Overview of Technology A Brief Overview of Technology EducationEducation

Technology Education (TE or Tech Ed) has evolved from Industrial Arts (Shop).

The change in name and philosophy occurred in the 1980's.

Neither TE or Industrial Arts has everever been Vocational Training (Tech School).

Some Short Descriptions:Some Short Descriptions:

Industrial Arts - Evolved from Manual Training, IA concentrated on tools/ machines and their use.Vocational Education (Tech school) - An educational program that trains students for a specific trade or career.Technology Education - Evolved from IA as the need for Technological LiteracyTechnological Literacy became apparent in the 1970's.

Technological LiteracyTechnological LiteracyA technologically literate person understands - with increasing sophistication - what technology is, how it is created and its positive/negative effects on society and the environment.

A technologically literate person can hear a story involving technology on television, read about it on the web or study a product manual - then evaluate the information intelligently, put it into context, and form an opinion or plan based on it.

A technologically literate person is comfortable with, and objective toward, the use of technology.

Technological LiteracyTechnological Literacy

Technological Literacy benefits students who plan to pursue technological careers: engineers, architects, technicians, etc.

Students form an opinion on many career paths by taking exploratory TE courses.

Technological Literacy also benefits everyone: corporate executives, teachers, farmers homemakers and small business owners are all able to perform their jobs better if they are technologically literate.

A Few Definitions:A Few Definitions:

TechnologyTechnology - The use of resources to meet people’s needs and solve problems. TE differs from the old Industrial Arts by stressing design design andand problem solving with less emphasis on the details of tool use.ScienceScience - The study of nature and natural phenomena.ScienceScience and TechnologyTechnology work hand in hand. What scientists discover, technologists put to use.

Technology Education at Neshaminy

Neshaminy provides TE instruction to all students (both boys and girls) in grades 6-8 and is an elective for all students in grades 9-12.

At the high school alone, there are 29 sections of TE. These classes help students attain the required number of elective credits.

Technology Education at Neshaminy(continued)

The areas of TE taught at Neshaminy are:Graphic

Communication

Computer Aided Drafting/Design (CAD)

Power TechnologyVideo

Communication

Electronics

Manufacturing/ Construction

Technology Education at NeshaminyTechnology Education at Neshaminy (continued)

All of the areas of TE taught at Neshaminy fall under the PA organizers of Informational Systems and Physical Systems.

The pending PA Chapter 4 requirements state that TE be taught in the middle grades and must be offered at the high school level.

Technology Education and PSSATechnology Education and PSSA• Technology Education plays an important Technology Education plays an important

part in Neshaminy’s PSSA testing part in Neshaminy’s PSSA testing (Pennsylvania System of School (Pennsylvania System of School Assessment).Assessment).

The newest PSSA test assesses Science The newest PSSA test assesses Science & & TechnologyTechnology and was first given in the 06/07 and was first given in the 06/07 school year.school year.

TE addresses not only PA StandardsTE addresses not only PA Standards and Anchors for Science & Technology, and Anchors for Science & Technology, but also others for Literacy, Math, etc.but also others for Literacy, Math, etc.

SummarySummaryTechnology Education and Vocational Education (as Technology Education and Vocational Education (as is taught at the Tech School) are two separate is taught at the Tech School) are two separate programs with programs with completely differentcompletely different philosophies, philosophies, curriculums and goals.curriculums and goals.TE standards are addressed in PA’s Science and Technology Standards.TE at Neshaminy addresses about 65% of the State’s Science Anchors as well as anchors in Math and Reading.Technology EducationTechnology Education is part of general education and contributes to Neshaminy students’ comprehensive education and PSSA performance.