The United States is facing a crisis in terms of meeting demands for a highly skilled technical workforce. Workforce preparation must begin in primary and secondary educational settings. Teachers are perfectly positioned to increase student awareness of and interest in careers in engineering and technology; unfortunately, they are often not well…

One of the most intimidating tasks faced by new or practicing technology education teachers is the challenge of creating new facilities or renovating current facilities for a new purpose. While the fourth program standard in "Advancing Excellence in Technological Literacy: Student Assessment, Professional Development, and Program Standards (AETL)"…

Research indicates that most Americans don't understand the technologies that surround them--the products and systems designed to fill a specific need. From water filtration to wheelchairs, from pens to PDAs, people use technology, often without fully comprehending how these tools are designed, developed, and function. In response, the Museum of…

The International Technology Education Association (ITEA) conducted research on the status of technology education in the United States in 2006-2007. This was the third study conducted by ITEA on the condition of the study of technology in all 50 states. The previous studies were completed by ITEA's Technology for All Americans Project in…

Discusses the Standards for Technological Literacy: Content for the Study of Technology and their importance to the professional development of teachers. Includes an activity to be used to illustrate the role of design technology, explain the standards, and solve a problem likely to be encountered by teachers. (JOW)

Effective professional development has the learning of all students at its core, focuses on expert and unique knowledge, recognizes that principles for improving student learning also guide professional learning, acknowledges learners' current understanding, and aligns with system-based changes. (JOW)

How can the teachers of today raise student achievement and prepare students to become the next generation of technologists, innovators, designers, and engineers? This article introduces new opportunities for professional development: a cadre of education professionals who are trained to deliver professional development for states, districts, and…

Discusses the place of standards in U.S. education, the development of the Standards for Technological Literacy, and the recent publication of "Advancing Excellence in Technological Literacy: Student Assessment, Professional Development, and Program Standards." (Contains 21 references.) (SK)

In March 2004, the International Technology Education Association (ITEA) will introduce a series of addenda to the technological literacy standards documents that will provide concrete tools for making technology programs standards based. Standards for Technological Literacy (STL) provides the content for technological studies. Advancing…

In this message from the ITEA president, he states that it is imperative that ITEA convey a shared mission and philosophy, foster leadership, and grow a large audience of supportive professional members while remaining agile enough to withstand generational and political changes that naturally occur over time. The strategic plan of ITEA focuses on…

"Realizing Excellence: Structuring Technology Programs" (International Technology Education Association, April 2005) is a pivotal addition to the ITEA Addenda to Technological Literacy Standards Series. In ITEA's graphic model of an educational program, first introduced in the standards document, Advancing Excellence in Technological Literacy:…

In October 2005, the Technology for All Americans Project (TfAAP) came to an end, having far exceeded its goals. TfAAP delivered a philosophical basis of the need for technological literacy (ITEA, 1996); content, student assessment, professional development, and program standards for technological literacy (ITEA, 2000/2002; 2003), and practical…