Technology is the combination of any existing techniques, skills, systems, or procedures utilized in the production of products or services or even in the achievement of particular objectives, like scientific research. The use of technology in a certain context refers to the use of technology in a certain activity, whether it pertains to the production, maintenance, management, sale, or promotion of products and/or services. It also takes into consideration the use of technology in education, business, law and other areas. In business, it refers to the methodologies for the improvement of current and potential performance by improving organizational efficiency and by maximizing profitability. It also considers the ways and methods by which knowledge can be transmitted from one area of activity to another.
The process of technology education therefore, involves learning about, understanding, evaluating, and using all the various technological systems and tools that exist today. Teachers must be prepared to work with technology concepts and instructional methods that are continuously evolving. They need to know how to apply theory to technology and how to demonstrate their knowledge and skills in an instructional format that is easily understood, modified, and practiced. They must be able to constructively assess technology in their own classrooms and be capable of integrating technology in their lessons and assessments. Those who teach technology must be prepared to demonstrate their knowledge and ability to students. They need to use a variety of technical language and their teaching methods should be continually adaptable to the current technologies being used in schools and to the different kinds of students they will typically have to teach to.
Teaching practices need to be constantly adaptable to new technology concepts and methods. One of the most important steps teachers can take in this direction is through technological literacy. Teachers must become skilled at educating students about the current technologies in use in their classrooms. Students need to learn about the different technology concepts, how these concepts are used, and how these concepts can be applied to their everyday lives. Technology literacy is a critical component of the development of technology awareness for students.
Effective teaching technology concepts helps students understand technology from a broad perspective. They need to be able to see more than the individual parts of technology. They need to see how these parts relate to each other and how they are interrelated. This broad perspectives helps them make the leap of understanding needed to create meaningful and responsible decisions about technology and its impact on their lives as they grow up.
In order for a school to implement effective teaching technology concepts, teachers must know what they do and how they do it. The best way to begin this process is by having a clear understanding of the technology fields and their broad patterns and cycles. Teachers can gain this understanding through research, coursework, discussions, case studies, or any other method that helps them understand technology and its underlying principles and patterns. This information is essential to developing an effective curriculum that makes effective use of technology in all aspects of the curriculum.
Once teachers have an understanding of the broad patterns and cycles of technology, they can begin to develop a detailed curriculum around those technologies. Specific teaching technology concepts can then be developed based on that information. Curriculum can be developed that highlight specific types of media, types of information, types of interaction, types of formats, and other relevant areas. In doing so, teachers can teach their students all of the relevant and useful universal attributes that go along with technology.