Mr. Van Horne's Technology Education

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Last Update: 3/26/09

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This We Believe

Technology Education...

Should be part of the learning experience of all students at all levels of grade and ability, in order that they may understand, function, and control their industrial/technological environment.

Requires the highest level of competence from its instructional staff. Teachers must possess creativity and ingenuity, enjoy working with people, and maintain a high degree of personal and professional integrity.

Uniquely contributes to students of all learning ability levels of both sexes and regardless of career choices. It provides equal opportunities for those of high or low economic status, and those who may choose a professional life or a future as an industrial worker. It’s equally important to everyone, as all members of society must learn to be aware and learn effectively in tomorrow’s technological society.

Fosters an awareness of industry and enterprise and their place in the world culture. It also provides opportunities for learners to discover their talents and abilities in the areas of technology, and applied science in the world of industry.

Activities form a continuum with other visual and applied arts, ranging from the free expressive forms to the more exacting demands of machine tools and applied sciences.

Is an organization of subject matter which provides opportunity for experiences concerned with developing insights into technology, its evolution, utilization, and significance; and industry, its organization, personnel, systems, techniques, and products; and their social/ cultural impact.

Provides technical skills and knowledge basic to most occupations and professions. Technology Education enables the future scientist and engineer to solve technical problems, and the future craftsperson or technician to develop knowledge, skills and the ability to obtain technical information.

Provides wholesome changes to learners. These may take the form of a developed interest in the human-made world - its materials, products and processes.& These changes may also involve self-evaluation of attitudes towards constructive work and how this work can be utilized for health and recreation, as well as economic value; they may involve the development of a favorable attitude toward character improvement-knowing and making the most of one’s environment.

Employs actual involvement of tools, machines and materials, which reinforces the written and spoken word. It enables all students to derive meaning from concrete experiences, which aid in the understanding of abstract ideas and the development of concepts.

(From the "International Technology Education Association", Reston, VA)

Good Things are Happening

3/26/09 - This school year has brought with it many changes to the department and classes. Right now good things are happening in the shop here, and next year we will have new classrooms and an additional computer lab and modeling lab as well! This spring has brought 2 classes back into action and our wood shop is full of activity when my classes are in there.

Students in manufacturing are currently working at an incredible pace creating parts for their Adirondack furniture line as well as working on a new addition to line in the way of a picnic table and bench combination. The shop is running full steam and students are putting forth their best effort using machines, jigs and fixtures to take rough sawn lumber down to finished sanded parts for chairs and tables. They are also learning the careful art of hand assembly with some help from fixtures and gaining an appreciation for HANDS-ON learning, while also taking pride in the final product. There is no better sound then that of a busy wood shop and no better sight than that of a class of students performing jobs, learning about mass production and getting some life skills out of the class!

Students in my Advanced class have spent a few weeks in the computer lab working on their first project. Before they were allowed to build anything they needed to make sure they had a complete orthographic drawing to build from, an isometric drawing that would show what their project would look like, and a materials list showing what they would need. After this, students spent several weeks in the wood shop, each one creating a beautiful custom sized picture frame with special inlay pieces as their first introduction project. They learned about the machines and how to use them, and how to correctly sand and finish their projects. The result; students have come to the realization that the computer can help aid in the design process, but that there is a higher level after that in which their computer work is used to actually create something. The HANDS-ON learning in this class gives students the opportunity to learn something new and see what happens after the paper leaves the printer, and it's used as a source of directions to create something with their own hands in a shop or construction-type environment. It gives students confidence and also a source of pride to be able to show the ENTIRE design process from start to finish. It shows that an idea in the mind of someone can become a reality.

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