Home > Resources > Guidelines

TECHknow Project Overview

NSF# 0095726 - 2001

The purpose of the project is to develop 20 instructional modules based upon selected TSA Competitive Events. Each of you has the responsibility to develop instructional materials for one event. This initial developmental phase is a two-year effort. A subsequent field testing and refinement phase will result in a high quality textbook with a companion CD containing materials for teachers and students.

Purpose of the Text

The purpose of the text material is to provide an engaging/interesting materials for students to read and learn content related to the topic. The text part is 30 pages. One important purpose of the grant is to develop instructional materials that address the standards. It is essential that the sections in the text relate to the math, science, and technology standards and also correlate with the lesson plans.

The flavor of the standards must be captured in the text. The text also provides a context for the competitive event. Through the sections in the text, connections are made between the experiences of a particular TSA event and a larger world with rich applications of related content. The text contains "how things work" information with exploded view diagrams, illustrations, and real world examples that help students to demystify and understand technology. The text also provides insights into the impact of technology on society and stories about people that students can be inspired by.

The content section is particularly important. This section provides the foundational information that students need to know in order to be successful in the competitive event. This information takes its cue from the event, but takes one step back from the event. It is not a step-by-step instruction in how to win the event. It is the identification of the important theories, principles, and content that the event is founded upon. It's the content that students might miss if they just built the project. It's the academic information that makes the competitive event an important and complete educational effort. It's the learning that demonstrates the true educational value of TED and TSA. This section addresses the question-- what is the important content that students should be learning as a result of participation in this competitive event?

Sections of the Text

The Nature of Technology: this section is designed to address this part of the STL.
Scope of the Technology
This is a brief introduction (no more that one page) to the topic. It contains a photo/illustration that represents the topic. It gets middle or high school interested in the topic.

Key Terms
This contains only the essential concepts/terms and definitions associated with the topic. It contains a photo or two to make the page attractive and interesting.

Summary objectives from the Standards for Technological Literacy
These objectives need to address the content of the unit. They should also use some of the language from the appropriate standards--Math, Science, and Technology. Need a few photos to illustrate the objectives, too.

Science that Works
The idea is to identify one example of the science embedded in the topic and elaborate. It shows students how science theories are applied in a real world example of the topic. From this section students learn that science has application and there is science that is fundamental to their competitive event. Use some science standard language where possible. Also need photos.

Math that Works
The idea is to identify one example of the mathematics embedded in the topic. It shows students how mathematics concepts are applied in a real world example of the topic. From this section students learn that mathematics can be applied and that mathematics is fundamental to their competitive event. Use some mathematics language from the standards where possible. Also need photos.

Need contemporary photos and graphs, charts, curves, etc. to illustrate the math connection. Provide a specific story/example related to the topic.

Technology that Works
The idea is to identify one real-world example of the technology embedded in the topic. It shows students how technology is used and explains some aspect of technology that is used in the event i.e. a digital camera for digital photography. Perhaps use an exploded view diagram to explain how the technology works.

Mind Map
This page is designed to show in one illustration all of the connections and interconnections of the topic. Rather that have students read all the information this provides everything at a glance. This is also an opportunity to include education/training and technology education teacher as a part of the mind map.

Technology and Society: this section is designed to address this part of the STL.

Technology and Society:
Cultural, Economic, Environmental, Ethical, Political, and Social
This section is an opportunity to address this STL standard. It provides the context for the competitive event and the opportunity to establish how the competitive event connects with the big picture of society in the USA and globally.

Historical Perspective
This section is a concise timeline of only the most significant developments related to the competitive event. The timeline should also include current and future projections. Need some photos/illustrations to make it attractive.

Design: this section is designed to address this part of the STL.

Case Study
This section provide an interesting real world story from industry from beginning idea to final product. A real story that provided some insight into the topic and how industry approached the topic, problems encountered along the way and how they were solved. Also the evaluation of the final product--how was it successful and what would be done. An example that students could read and connect their experiences with the real world.

Abilities for a Technological World: this section is designed to address this part of the STL.

Connections-resources
Some challenging ideas/resources that would encourage kids to explore and see the connections on their own. This section also addresses STL standards 11-13.

Design Brief related to the competitive event
These materials are designed for Technology Education teachers and students who participate in TSA. However the materials also must be able to be used by TED teachers who do not participate in TSA. Science teachers, math teachers and home school students are also potential users of the units.

The design brief should paraphrase the TSA competitive event for those teachers/students who will not compete in a TSA event. It is not the TSA event, but is one step back. It develops a problem that students could substitute for the TSA competitive event and still retain the problem solving character of the unit.

The Designed World: this section is designed to address this part of the STL.

Content/information
This is the most important part of the text. It is the guts of the content. The essential content that students need to know to be successful is contained here. It's the academic material that is connected to the competitive event.

It is not step by step instructions on how to do the event. It should correlate with language in the STL and the lesson plans as much as possible. Examples and tie-in with real world applications.

Everyday People
I would like for this section to be a story about a real person that kids can identify with. Someone within reach with a message that would inspire them. Someone about whom they could say "I could do that …" An interview with a real person with insights about what it took for them to get where they are now and be successful.

Sections in the Teacher Resources

Implementation Method
Suggestions for how to teach this unit. Also ideas for having students elaborate/develop their ideas for competition.

Lesson Plans for the teacher including the Standards
Standards addressed must be identified. One foundation of the project is correlation of the instructional materials with the standards. The STL are essential. Appropriate Science and Math standards are also important.

Activities related to the concepts and building up to the TSA competitive event
Ideas, tips, and information related to how students can be successful in academic competitions.

Resources and Materials needed
Need to limit the outside resources. Teachers can't be expected to go to other materials to get the information. The essential content to teach the unit needs to be contained in this text. A list of supplies and software/equipment should be included in this section.

PowerPoints
Essential concepts/information related to concepts in module.

Student Worksheets
Essential worksheets to compliment the lesson plans and help students gather information relevant to the event.

Pre-test/ Posttest based on the Standards
15 technology based (STL) questions related to the content in the unit.
5 science based (standards) questions related to the content in the unit.
5 math based (standards) questions related to the content in the unit.

Rubric for grading
Grading rubrics that also address STL concepts.
Metacognitive questions.

Background information to be successful
Is this section redundant? i.e. (see above … ) Ideas, tips, and information related to how students can be successful in academic competitions.