What Studying Technology Looks Like . . .

The International Technology Education Association (ITEA) partnered with the National Science Foundation a few years ago and wrote a comprehensive outline of student progression called the Standards for Technology Literacy: Content for the Study of Technology.  These standards do not dictate any specific curriculum, but they, "present a vision of what students should know and be able to do in order to be technologically literate."

As more and more emphasis is placed on the study of STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education, ATM has updated its program to meet the needs.  The 20 standards below are the ITEA standards, and each has been folded into the four-year ATM program.  By clicking on the ITEA file in the locker to the left, you can see what a student should know at the K-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12 levels.

1. Students will develop an understanding of the characteristics and scope of technology.

2. Students will develop an understanding of the core concepts of technology.

3. Students will develop an understanding of the relationships among technologies and the connections between technology and other fields.

4. Students will develop an understanding of the cultural, social, economic, and political effects of technology.

5. Students will develop an understanding of understanding of the effects of technology on the environment.

6. Students will develop an understanding of the role of society in the development and use of technology.

7. Students will develop an understanding of the influence of technology on history.

8. Students will develop an understanding of the attributes of design.

9. Students will develop an understanding of engineering design.

10. Students will develop an understanding of the role of troubleshooting, research and development, invention and innovation, and experimentation in problem solving.

11. Students will develop abilities to apply the design process.

12. Students will develop the abilities to use and maintain technological products and systems.

13. Students will develop the abilities to assess the impact of products and systems.

14. Students will develop an understanding of and be able to select and use medical technologies.

15. Students will develop an understanding of and be able to select and use agricultural and related biotechnologies.

16. Students will develop an understanding of and be able to select and use energy and power technologies.

17. Students will develop an understanding of and be able to select and use information and communication technologies.

18. Students will develop an understanding of and be able to select and use transportation technologies.

19. Students will develop an understanding of and be able to select and use manufacturing technologies.

20. Students will develop an understanding of and be able to select and use construction technologies.