This article is an edited excerpt of the author's presentation at the Technology Education Symposium IV, Illinois State University. Technology education the author believes, has expended too much effort and energy on direction and not enough effort and energy on purpose; that is, on a meaningful purpose for change. (SSH)

The author argues that jobs in the future will depend less on manual skill and more on perceptual aptitude, formal knowledge, and precision. Industrial arts classes must include robotics in their curriculum if they intend to reflect accurately American industry. (Author/SSH)

The way documentation procedures are organized in society has a decisive influence on the democratization and dissemination of power. The impact of documentation and information processing systems, data banks, and telecommunications networks on third world development and democratization trends is discussed. (AM)

Discusses the advances in and prospects of success for computerized systems, such as teletext, involving electronic transfer to the home of information traditionally transmitted through the newspaper. The new technology's effect in the marketplace, its providers, content, and potential audience are surveyed with respect to the future role of the…

A line of biomedical devices based on aerospace expertise leads a sampling of spinoffs in the field of medicine. These include a National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)-developed computer program used by the Centers for Disease Control, medical products research, crawling aid, portable medical system, and human tissue stimulator.…

The research administrator's role is changing rapidly and becoming more demanding. Training will be restructured to promote professionalism, and administrators should spend some time considering their profession's nature and purposes. Four tasks are proposed: safeguarding staff's creative time, getting long-term resource commitments, fostering…

Reviews a publication that surveys recent curriculum developments at the secondary level in Europe. Covers information on the inclusion of new areas of knowledge in school curricula, the creation of interdisciplinary courses, and the promotion of more autonomous work by pupils. (Author/WD)

In a recently published article, it was suggested that program evaluation in teacher education is unsophisticated and poorly conducted. Arguments are presented to show that the article presents a limited view of program evaluation efforts being conducted in schools of education. (JN)

The role of industry in the planning and management of research is discussed. It is suggested that university research should be ahead of industry and industry should not try to influence academic programs in the basic sciences. (Author/SF)

Two questions are considered: "How do results of university research find their way into societal improvements?" and "What might enhance the flow and use of results of university research?" Perspectives of government sponsorship, institutional management, and institutional conservation are considered, as well as findings from studies of…

When agricultural innovations are not adopted, there is often a gap between what people know they ought to do and what they do. Extension practice needs to expand from technology transfer. The knowledge systems approach is useful in dealing with the introduction of innovation in increasingly complex and uncertain situations. (SK)

Legal questions involving conveyance of university-developed technology to the marketplace are becoming an increasing problem. This article discusses issues of intellectual property, including: university policies of ownership; faculty copyrights; university partnerships with the federal government; hidden costs of aggressive protection; and…

A survey of 78 small/medium-sized enterprises in Istanbul showed the majority were founded by their present owners (most are college graduates); 45% are not aware of national research and development; most lacked research capital; technological innovations are driven by consumer demand; and government and large enterprises are not supporting…

Describes existing and envisioned national system of innovation in South Africa; status of cooperative research in science, engineering, and technology; the government's Technology and Human Resources for Industry Programme; and future needs, such as closer higher education-business links and a greater market focus for research and development.…

Understanding research on innovation diffusion can help technology leaders in schools develop strategies to encourage the support and adoption of technological innovation. Discusses Everett M. Rogers' research on innovation diffusion, considers social systems and innovation, and describes group size and traits of innovators, early adopters, early…