Broad Patterns of Teaching Technology Concepts

Technology is an umbrella term that describes a myriad of human endeavors that have grown over time, creating new tools and technologies each day. The “push for the button” revolutionized communications in our society when cell phones with cameras were introduced and mobile computing devices such as laptops made it possible to see the world from nearly anywhere. Technology changes are nearly always accompanied by corresponding advances in technology. Just recently, we’ve seen incredible advancements in artificial intelligence, medical transcription, e-commerce, networking, and much more.

technology

Technological progress can be both steady and rapid. Technological change occurs as a result of continual improvement of particular fields such as computers, human engineering, software, electronics, telecommunications, and more. It’s important, however, to remember that technological progress doesn’t necessarily occur in a vacuum without social influence. Technological theories of progress are continuously shaped and defined by cultural understandings and perceptions of what is valuable and how society as a whole defines progress. In other words, technology education is not simply a matter of defining what technology is and then allowing students to pursue a particular course on technology.

Technological theories must be continually evaluated in light of changing societal expectations. Teaching curriculum needs to take into consideration the ways people perceive and understand technology, which means that instructors need to develop teaching strategies that foster understanding and acceptance of emerging technologies while incorporating current learning concepts and practices. Technology education is also influenced by technological literacy. Literacy refers to the capacity to use technology to enrich students’ lives and to learn new and creative concepts. Technological literacy is one of the most significant dimensions of contemporary technological society and one of the key factors why students are so avidly engaged in technology-based curricula.

Broad Patterns: Technology has developed into a pervasive part of our culture, including the way in which students learn, work, and interact with technology. Technology literacy allows teachers to build inclusive and adaptable educational practices that address the range of skills required for today’s learner. It helps teachers identify and promote these skills through building a framework for learning that is broad and flexible. Educators who successfully incorporate broad patterns of teaching technology to understand how their methods to help students achieve academic and career goals.

Specific Focus: In the context of broad patterns of teaching technology concepts, specific technology fields can be more easily understood and taught. Broad patterns of teaching technology concepts helps teachers identify and teach key technological perspectives that are relevant to today’s student populations. The key technology fields include those that pertain to media, computers, science, engineering, health, information technology, multimedia, video, networking, digital and graphic design, telecommunications, and others. Specific technologies can be taught in terms of how they contribute to these broad fields or in terms of applications that can be applied to all of these areas.

Broad and Specific Focus: The interplay between broad and specific patterns of teaching technology concepts is at the heart of effective instruction. When a teacher can clearly identify and teach the relevant broad patterns of technology concepts, they in effect provide a complete picture of how technology interacts with the world. This provides for a more complete and comprehensive understanding of technology. Such a teacher also uses technology concepts to teach universal attributes of technology and teaches students how these universal attributes contribute to society, culture, economy and culture. Universal attributes of technology include information, communication, transportation, work and other areas.