EdTech Avenue

I’ve been trying to include some of the McREL standards in my own technology standards for IHMCS because they include some basic engineering concepts. These standards appear to come from the “Standards for Technological Literacy” from the Internationa Technology Educaiton Association (ITEA) and address technology and design in a much broader way than ISTE’s standards.

As I see it, my students are missing out on the public schools’ industrial tech classes that are offered in 7th and 8th grades and I’m the closest equivilent to that teacher. (I really only have control of my own curriculum up through 6th grade, so it’s a busy year.)

Way back when, I taught in a public Jr. High school with a well-developed industrial tech program. Kids weren’t only learning about the basics of building materials and electrical work (typical industrial tech stuff), but also the basics of computer animation, photography, genetics, etc. More recent industrial tech syllabi show an emphasis on CAD basics, the design process, and hands-on projects that incorporate math/science/tech concepts. (drag/friction/force, geometry & graphing, invention/innovation, green technologies, etc)

I certainly don’t have the time or knowledge to teach everything that an industrial tech class offers, but I am trying to break away from a computer-only curriculum.  I’ve also been looking at including some engineering-ish stuff in the lower grades, too. There are a ton of resources out there, but I’ve only recently come across the ITEA standards as a way to organize and prioritize the curriculum. My 1 trimester of 6th grade engineering/design lessons are pretty hit or miss, but I look at it as a start. If anyone else is interested in nailing down a curriculum that works for our particular limitations (lack of a budget for starters), let me know! I see this as supplementing our ISTE standards, not replacing them. You can see some of the resources I’ve gathered on my Delicous page under STEM, STEMblog (ethics and discussion topics more than activities) and Design – http://delicious.com/m.white/STEM

I”m not sure why I feel so enthused about this topic, but I do think that it might engage those kids who need more hands-on learning (kinesthetic/tactile learners…we can all name them in our classes!) and give them a chance to be successful, creative AND learn something in the process.