ERIC Number: EJ813297
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2007-Sep
Pages: 18
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0957-7572
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Learning Elemental Structures and Dynamic Processes in Technological Systems: A Cognitive Framework
Barak, M.; Williams, P.
International Journal of Technology and Design Education, v17 n3 p323-340 Sep 2007
An important objective of science and technology education is the development of pupils' capacity for systems thinking. While in science education the term system relates mainly to structures and phenomena in the natural world, technology education focuses on systems designed to fulfill people's needs and desires: examples include systems to control the local environment, or the position or motion of objects. Despite the centrality of the system concept to technology and technology education, issues relating to the teaching and learning of systems within the technology curriculum have been little addressed. This paper explores some elemental structures common to technological feedback control systems, and highlights the relationships between the structural nature and the dynamic behavior of these systems. It is argued that the study of systems and control concepts in technology has the potential to promote higher learning skills such as interdisciplinary thinking and modeling, and an instructional framework for achieving this goal is proposed. Questions and research issues on the fostering of systems thinking in technology education are identified.
Descriptors: Feedback (Response), Technology Education, Systems Approach, Systems Development, Systems Analysis, Interdisciplinary Approach, Thinking Skills, Technology, Models, Curriculum Development
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
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Authoring Institution: N/A
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