Shepp EdTech - Technology Education Blog

Stephen Downes comments (http://www.downes.ca/cgi-bin/page.cgi?post=45475) on the report from the Canadian Council on Learning entitled “REPORT ON LEARNING IN CANADA 2008” (pdf).  I found the following excerpt from the report interesting:

While most Canadians receive a solid foundation of formal education, many lack sufficient competencies to succeed in an increasingly complex and uncertain future. Employers seek employees with a more sophisticated array of capabilities, beyond the basic job requirements.These skills include: decision-making, teamwork, problem solving, entrepreneurship, leadership, information and communication technology (ICT) skills, the ability to communicate effectively and a desire to learn (p. 41).

Notice the list of skills?  As a technology teacher, I was struck with how these skills fit so perfectly into the technology curriculum.  I have noticed the last few years a shift in educational priorities away from the technology curriculum.  Recently, a skills-based curriclum (akin to a new and improved industrial arts) has been integrated in the Newfoundland and Labrador school, which is a great start.  My concern is that we may be pushing computer technology skills aside assuming that our students already know the basics.  My question is what are the skills that high school chidren already have?  What are we assuming and is it accurate?  I have my own opinions about this but I would like to hear from you so please comment.

I did an online Lego robotics course a couple of years ago through Carnegie Mellon University’s Robotics Academy (http://www-education.rec.ri.cmu.edu/). Through the course I learned about the building and programming (using Robolab software) of Lego robots using the RCX-based Mindstorms for Schools kit.

With the introduction of the new NXT-based robotics kits this year, I have been looking into doing a similar course. The Robotics Academy is selling an NXT robotics curriculum (two-cd set) entitled, Robotics Engineering: Introduction to Mobile Robotics, Vol. 1 (http://store.robomatter.com/roenvoiintom.html) for $225.00 (US). With the purchase of the cd set you get an online teacher training course free (8 weeks).

I am considering this option so I thought I would pass along the information to anyone out there that may also be interested. The price is steep, but I learned a lot on the last course and I used the cd that I purchased the last time to teach my students.

BTW, they are still offering the RCX-based online training (8 weeks but no cd) for $55.00 (US).

Thomas