Technology Education
Technology Education is the means by which we teach students the
Technology and Engineering components of Science, Technology,
Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education which is found in the Pennsylvania Academic Standards for Science and Technology, Science and Technology
(PDF). Technology Education is a body of knowledge separate from but
related to the sciences, with specific content, curriculum and specific
certification requirements. Technology is the application of tools,
materials, processes and systems by humans to solve problems and
provide benefits to humankind. We use technology in an attempt to
improve our world in which we live. These improvements may relate to
survival needs (e.g., food, shelter, and defense) or they may relate to
human aspirations (e.g., knowledge, art, control). They can include
unexpected benefits, unexpected costs and unexpected risks. Technology
Education involves a broad spectrum of knowledge and activities.
Effective Technology Education combines knowledge of content, processes
and skills to provide students with a holistic approach to learning.
Technology Education offers unique opportunities to apply numerous
academic concepts through practical minds-on/hands-on applications
giving these academic concepts relevance. Instructional Technology on
the other hand, deals specifically with use of computers and different
software to solve problems and communicate effectively. Knowledge of
content, processes and skills should be used together to effectively
engage students and promote a complete understanding of the sciences,
related technologies and their interrelationship. The relationship
between science and technology is one where science builds principles
or theories and technology provides the practical application of those
principles or theories to produce human made products and systems to
improve our lives..
Pennsylvania Engineering by Design (PA-ebD) Stem Network
Pennsylvania is a member of ITEEA’s STEM Center for Teaching and
Learning (SCTL) Engineering byDesign (EbD) State Consortium through a
partnership between Lancaster-Lebanon IU13, the Technology &
Engineering Education Association of Pennsylvania (TEEAP), Millersville
University, and California University of Pennsylvania. Through
membership in the EbD State Consortium, eligible educators in
Pennsylvania are provided online access to Engineering byDesign, a
collection of K-12 standards-based STEM curricula. Eligibility is
available through a number of options including: 1) Membership in TEEAP
http://www.teeap.org ),
2) Current student in a technology and engineering education or STEM education
program at a partner PA college or university, and 3) Participate in EbD
professional development at a partner PA intermediate unit.
In 2012, the Pennsylvania Engineering byDesign (PA-EbD) STEM
Network to aid in communication and to create six regional centers for
EbD professional development. Each PA-EbD STEM region has a lead
organization that is licensed to be an exclusive provider of EbD
professional development within the designated region utilizing
authorized EbD trainers. The six PA-EbD STEM regions in the statewide
network follow intermediate unit boundaries:
- North West – IUs 4, 5, 6, 27, and 28
- South West – IUs 1, 2, 3, and 7
- Central – IUs 8, 9, 10, 11, 16, and 17
- South Central – IUs 12, 13, and 15
- North East – IUs 14, 18, 19, 20, 21, and 29
- South East – IUs 22, 23, 24, 25, and 26
Pennsylvania Safety Guide
This Safety Guide is intended to alert technology education
teachers, teacher educators, school administrators and technology
education supervisors to the
importance of a strong safety program. It is also intended to provide
the
instructional resources for instituting safety instruction in the public
schools, for the in-service training of technology education teachers
and for
the education of undergraduates in the teacher education programs of
Pennsylvania.
Disclaimer
This Safety Guide is intended to be a convenient reference for
Elementary and Technology Education teachers. The Pennsylvania
Department of Education has
carefully considered applicable industry practices in the development of
this
guide. However, the standards provided herein are by no means absolute.
The Department hereby disclaims all liability incurred through the use
of this
document.
FAQs
What is Technology Education?
Technology Education
is the means by which we teach students the Technology and Engineering
components of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education
which is found in the Pennsylvania Academic Standards for Science and Technology.
Technology Education is a body of knowledge separate from but related
to the sciences, with Specific Programs Guidelines and certification
requirements (CSPG 65 - Technology Education). It should also be understood that
Technology Education offers unique opportunities to give relevance to numerous
academic content areas.
To understand why Technology Education is
important it is recommend that you read the report done in 2002 by the National
Academy of Engineering and the National Research Council titled Technically
Speaking: Why all Americans Need to Know More About Technology. *(The link is
located in the emphasis box.)
At what grade levels is Technology Education
required?
According to the state education regulations found in
Chapter 4 (Academic
Standards and Assessment) “planned instruction aligned with academic
standards in the following areas shall be provided to every student”.
Technology Education is included as one of the noted “following areas” being
included under area “(3) Science and Technology” and is listed in each specific
subsections dealing with K-12 education (§ 4.21. Elementary education: primary
and intermediate levels, § 4.22. Middle level education, and § 4.23. High school
education). It should also be noted that “planned instruction may be provided
as a separate course or as an instructional unit within another course or other
interdisciplinary instructional activity” and this is true for all content
areas. It is recommended that to have a full understanding of the education
needed for all students in Pennsylvania one should review § 4.11. the “Purpose
of public education” component of Chapter 4.
Biotechnology Curriculum Framework
The Biotechnology Curriculum Framework K-12 is a team effort supported by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.