Technology Education: A Kansas Curriculum Development Project.

Overview & Synopsis

A project was conducted to develop an articulated technology education curriculum for middle school/junior high school, high school, and teacher education levels in Kansas, based on the successful program developed at Pittsburg Middle School, Pittsburg, Kansas. Through a series of two-day meetings, a task force developed a rationale, basic definitions, program assumptions, typical technological concepts (content identifiers), an articulated program model, and a plan of action for developing, field-testing, evaluating, and implementing technology education in Kansas. As a result of the project, technological concepts were written, guidelines and technical assistance were provided, teacher education programs were conducted, and a plan for continual evaluation and upgrading was implemented. Each module of the delivery system was to include problem-solving opportunities, examples of technological impacts (social, political, consumer, educational, occupational, and environmental), and creativity. A program model was developed that can be adapted to various school situations. (KC)