Considering some big issues: and the role of technology education in transformational change

This chapter aims to encourage further exploration and consideration of some key issues for 21st century Technology Education. It discusses challenges with specific reference to implications of teaching and learning, the role Technology Education has the potential to take, and the contribution is has the possibility to make.

The intention is not to provide a definitive list of every issue facing us as Technology Education practitioners. Indeed, the rate of change in Technology, and by implication, Technology Education, renders such an idea impossible. There is also no intention of examining and discussing any individual national curriculum guidelines for Technology Education from the current international portfolios. These documents tend to be reviewed, revised, and may be fairly transient; subject as they may be to political and economic imperatives and interference.

Rather, this chapter intends to encourage educators to reflect on some of the broader, complex aspects of the purpose(s) of curriculum, pedagogy in the 21st century and the impact and influence on Technology Education.

For example, how does Technology Education deal with the exploration of values and ethics of actions and behaviors; emotional literacy; uncertainty and compromise; controversial and topical issues without due disorientation? What can be done through Technology Education to respect and value technological traditions, heritage and contributions to national cultures while responding to globalization, worldwide networks and shared concerns, and enable our young people to be active citizens in the international arena? Such questions serve to promote reflexive scrutiny and may lead to alternative models and pedagogies.