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AAI Technology Principles

All Aspects of the Industry Aspect Concerned with Technology Basics

May 23, 2008

Underlying Principles of Technology Aspect, © AarinFreePhoto.com

Underlying Principles of Technology is the All Aspects of the Industry aspect that provides educators guidelines to teach about basic business technology devices.

The Underlying Principles of Technology aspect of the All Aspects of the Industry guidelines is designed to prepare students entering industry-based careers for the technological systems used in the workplace. The Underlying Principles of Technology aspect does not promote training for a specific career; instead it gives a framework for students to learn how an industry operates. This includes concepts such as the academic background and technical training needed and both the current technology in use and how it might change in the future. For most technical and career courses, this is the aspect that comes most naturally and typically is addressed in most of the course topics.

Potential Topics

Underlying Principles of Technology can be explained as what technology is used get the job done. It is closely related to the Technical and Production Skills aspect since the skills needed frequently involve the technology in use. These technologies include not only what is in use but also how they contribute to the product or service of the specific industry. In some industries, such as engineering and computer technologies, the mathematical and scientific principles of those technologies would be investigated. In other industries, such as marketing and food services, the social and economic principles would be investigated. Some potential topics for any industry include:

Safety concerns for use of the technology
Ergonomic considerations for safe use by people
Resources needed to operate the technology
Environmental concerns when using or disposing of the technology
Historical development of the technology and how it might change in the future

Implementing

Communication skills and team work are ideal for including the Underlying Principles of Technology aspect in the curriculum. These projects can be individualized or used as group projects. Students should be exposed to a variety of scenarios; consider using a case study or a specific scenario and having students create a final product to demonstrate understanding. Examples for activities include:

Create an organizational chart showing how an industry uses communication, production and transportation technologies
Create a flow chart to show how computing technologies are used in making a decision about production
Identify the OSHA or EPA requirements for specific technological devices in use within the industry
Use computing technologies to keep records, create a diagram of a system, or develop promotional material

Internships and Filed Trips

Classroom activities can be enhanced by internship or job shadow opportunities. A field trip could also provide students with the opportunity to tour a business and witness the technology as it is being used in an industry setting. Students should prepare questions in advance or a list of specific interactions to observe, such as how different devices are used daily for production, communication or transportation, how new technologies are affecting employees, or changes employees and managers expect to see in the future due to technological advances.

The copyright of the article AAI Technology Principles in High School Curriculum is owned by Tammy Andrew. Permission to republish AAI Technology Principles in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.