These standards apply equally to all academic areas, and often are not taught / practiced in any particular class or subject, rather utilized and assessed among a wide variety of subject areas.
STANDARD 1: Nature of Technology
Students develop an understanding of technology, its characteristics, scope, core concepts and relationships between technologies and other fields.
Students learn that technology extends human potential by allowing people to do things more efficiently than they would otherwise be able to. Students learn that useful technological development is a product of human knowledge, creativity, invention, innovation, motivation and demand for new products and systems. They learn that the natural and human-made designed worlds are different, and that tools and materials are used to alter the environment. Students learn that the development of emerging technology is exponential, driven by history, design, commercialization, and shaped by creative/inventive thinking, economic factors and cultural influences.
STANDARD 2: Technology and Society Interaction
Students recognize interactions among society, the environment and technology, and understand technology’s relationship with history. Consideration of these concepts forms a foundation for engaging in responsible and ethical use of technology.
Students learn that the interaction between society and technology has an impact on their lives and that technology may have unintended consequences which may be helpful or harmful. They learn that interaction of technology will affect the economy, ethical standards, environment and culture. Students evaluate the impact of products or systems by gathering and synthesizing information, analyzing trends and drawing conclusions. Students analyze technological issues and the implications of using technology. They acquire technological understanding and develop attitudes and practices that support ethical decision-making and lifelong learning.
STANDARD 3: Technology for Productivity Applications
Students learn the operations of technology through the usage of technology and productivity tools.
Students use computer and multimedia resources to support their learning. Students understand terminology, communicate technically and select the appropriate technology tool based on their needs. They use technology tools to collaborate, plan and produce a sample product to enhance their learning and solve problems by investigating, troubleshooting and experimenting using technical resources.
STANDARD 4: Technology and Communication Applications
Students use an array of technologies and apply design concepts to communicate with multiple audiences, acquire and disseminate information and enhance learning.
Students acquire and publish information in a variety of media formats. They incorporate communication design principles in their work. They use technology to disseminate information to multiple audiences. Students use telecommunication tools to interact with others. They collaborate in real-time with individuals and groups who are located in different schools, communities, states and countries. Students participate in distance education opportunities which expand academic offerings and enhance learning.
STANDARD 5: Technology and Information Literacy
Students engage in information literacy strategies, use the Internet, technology tools and resources, and apply information-management skills to answer questions and expand knowledge.
Students become information-literate learners by utilizing a research process model. They recognize the need for information and define the problem, need or task. Students understand the structure of information systems and apply these concepts in acquiring and managing information. Using technology tools, a variety of resources are identified, accessed and evaluated. Relevant information is selected, analyzed and synthesized to generate a finished product. Students evaluate their information process and product.
STANDARD 6: Design
Students apply a number of problem-solving strategies demonstrating the nature of design, the role of engineering and the role of assessment.
Students recognize the attributes of design; that it is purposeful, based on requirements, systematic, iterative, creative, and provides solution and alternatives. Students explain critical design factors and/or processes in the development, application and utilization of technology as a key process in problem-solving. Students describe inventors and their inventions, multiple inventions that solve the same problem, and how design has affected their community. They apply and explain the contribution of thinking and procedural steps to create an appropriate design and the process skills required to build a product or system. They critically evaluate a design to address a problem of personal, societal and environmental interests. Students systematically solve a variety of problems using different design approaches including troubleshooting, research and development, innovation, invention and experimentation.
STANDARD 7: Designed World
Students understand how the physical, informational and bio-related technological systems of the designed world are brought about by the design process. Critical to this will be students’ understanding of their role in the designed world: its processes, products, standards, services, history, future, impact, issues and career connections.
Students learn that the designed world consists of technological systems reflecting the modifications that humans have made to the natural world to satisfy their own needs and wants. Students understand how, through the design process, the resources: materials, tools and machines, information, energy, capital, time and people are used in the development of useful products and systems. Students develop a foundation of knowledge and skills through participation in technically oriented activities for the application of technological systems. Students demonstrate understanding, skills and proficient use of technological tools, machines, instruments, materials and processes across technological systems in unique and/or new contexts. Students identify and assess the historical, cultural, environmental, governmental and economic impacts of technological systems in the designed world.
