Description
This book discusses the teaching and learning about technological systems in technology education and adjacent curriculum areas. It describes, analyzes and synthesizes contemporary research on technological systems in technology education. By delving into the philosophy, sociology and history of technology, technology education and the learning and teaching of technological systems, it summarizes prior research and analyzes new research. This book thereby serves as a resource and reference work for professionals in this area of research and education.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction.- 2. The notion of a system compared to an artefact.- 3. The evolution of technological systems.- 4. The "impacts" of technological systems.- 5. Technological systems in some national standards and curricula.- 6. Systems theory, systems thinking, and systems concepts in relation to technology education.- 7. Central concepts and models of systems, in technology compared to other fields.- 8. From component to systems: Fostering systems thinking via electronics studies.- 9. Students' perceptions of control systems and autonomous systems.- 10. Functional analysis and its tools: How teachers use them to study technical systems with pupils 11-14 years old in France.- 11. Defining "qualities of knowledge" about technological systems.- 12. Central educational models and modes for teaching about technological systems.- 13. Postscript and synthesis.
