Creating a Sustainable Future for Technology Education

Janel M. Kerr, M.Ed., M.Ed., Ed. S. P.-T. Ed.University of Idaho

March 18, 2010

Grant Info Internal UI grant, aimed at

“faculty- or staff-led projects that revise curriculum to include environmental, economic, or social sustainability. “

My course

PTTE 449 Appropriate Technology and Alternative Energy

Undergraduate, upper division

Currently an elective Open to all students

on campus

How did we get here?

Student interest

Personal Interest

Sustainability Center Grant Opportunity

Genuine need for change

Course Aims and Philosophy “Real things that people can/will actually

do”

Separating the hype from materials and techniques that actually work

Generating an understanding of individual impact

Making a positive change

Place-based Education

Community

Science and Math

Technology Education

Environment Sustainabil

ity

A little context

Idaho

•Agriculture•Timber•Recreation and Tourism

Moscow

Our home campus

Prior Knowledge

Considers family and cultural background

Education Experience

Student Population

What is “Appropriate Technology”?

Consideration of:

cultural and social issues, politics and ethics Economics the natural environment.

Reading and Discussion

Social Sustainability

Considering the impact on others Classroom Community “life expectancy” of pre-service

Technology Education teachers Practicing what we preach

Research and Evaluation

Transformational Learning

Changes in emotion or beliefs as shown through actions (Mezirow, 2000, p. 8).

Investigation Reflection Action

Usability

Alternative to what?

Activities

Movies and Presentations Research and Discussion Field trips Application

Culture of Sustainability

Learning Outcomes Application of STEM concepts Informed citizens and consumers Increased research Agents for change

Where do we go from here?