1. Technology Education is More Than Just Computers
Ken Volk, Ph.D.
Masdar Institute of Science & Technology

2. Technology Education is not Educational Technology
Technology Defined
Engineering uses the design process to produce workable solutions.
Technology is output of engineering.
Science focuses on the natural world, with the output being knowledge.
Technology Education is not Educational Technology

3. Technology Education Experiential Learning More than hearing & seeing!
Hands-on problem solving!
Applies math and science!
Use of tools, materials and engineering design techniques!
Solar Hotdog Cookers

4. Attitudes & Technology
A person’s negative or
positive feelings that
influence their behavior
Based on:
Knowledge,
Experience
Ideas
Shaped by interactions with technology
(parents, teachers, friends, culture, etc, too!)
Chestnuthilllocal.com

5. Pupils’ Attitudes Toward Technology PATT-UAE
Grade 8 students in the UAE
21 public and 12 private schools
Over 1800 students participated
Are there differences that exist between boys’ and girls’ attitudes toward technology?
Are there differences between pupils’ attitudes toward technology from UAE public and private schools?

6. PATT-UAE Demographics and technological home climate
58 Statements about technology
Example statements:
Interest I like to read technological magazines
Role Pattern Boys are able to do practical things better than girls
Difficulty You have to be smart to study technology
Consequences The world would be a better place without technology
Curriculum Technology lessons are important
Career I would enjoy a job in technology

7. PATT RESULTS - DEMOGRAPHICS
Cross Comparisons of Gender with Student Characteristics
and Home Environment
Public
Private
Schools (in %)
Boys ( n
=449)
Girls (
=608)
=411)
=375)
Extent father’s job has to do with technology
Very much
9.4
13.2
24.1
29.6
Much
19.9
26.5
57.3
57.2
Little
22.6
28.3
15.6
12.6
Very little
20.7
1.9
0.3
Not working
28.2
11.3
1.1
Extent mother’s job has to do with technology
5.5
7.2
9.5
11.0
6.6
8.1
11.9
18.5
10.7
13.0
16.8
14.2
10.1
60.3
57.5
45.0
42.0
Will choose a technological profession
Yes
63.4
61.9
64.8
50.9 No
36.6
38.1
35.2
49.1

8. Public Schools t Tests on Student Characteristics - Public Schools
Interest in
Technology
Role Pattern
Technology is
Difficult
Consequences
of Technology
School
Curriculum
Career
Aspirations
Gender
Boys (449)
2.32
3.00
3.09
2.27
2.38
2.41
Girls (608)
2.37
2.64
3.08
2.12
2.42
Significance **
Choose technological
profession
Yes (653)
2.21
2.75
3.11
2.09
2.24
2.17
No (376)
2.58
2.87
3.04
2.36
2.86
**p<=0.05
NOTE: Lower number = more positive attitudes

9. Private Schools
NOTE: Lower number = more positive attitudes

10. Discussion Students from public schools Girls from private schools
Generally not as positive as private schools about-
Difficulty
Role pattern
School curriculum
Consequences of technology
Girls from private schools
not as positive about-
Interest
Career aspirations
Constructing working model Wind Turbines

11. To Teach About Technology (#1)
Have Technology Education as separate subject
Traditional:
Communication
Power & Energy
Graphic Communication
Sustainability
Class project to tackle sustainability challenge
Build, test monitor photovoltaic system
Robotics and Control Technology
LEGO Robotics
Robot Olympiad competition

12. To Teach About Technology (#2)
Have Technology Education as STEM
Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics
Integrate instruction and activities
Encourages
Creative-problem solving
Hands-on experiences
Use of variety of tools, materials, processes, etc
Emphasizes
Process and design of solutions
Rather than solutions themselves!

13. To Teach About Technology (#3)
Have Technology Education - Modified STEM
Concentrates “T” & “”E’ in Science
Science already has lab approach
Study of scientists and grad students recommended-
More hands-on learning
More real and applied problem

14. Conclusion
Cannot assume technology education will influence attitudes, but.....
... has potential as a subject, through hands-on creative problem-solving activities, to provide meaningful interdisciplinary learning experiences about technology to all students. KV