Critical Issues and Problems in Technology Education

Summary:
This article addresses the concern for technology education as a whole in school curriculum. The most obvious conclusion from this research highlights the concern for adequate technology educators and sufficient quantities of these educators. In the study, the critical issue of highest priority is the Recruitment of students/teachers in to teacher education programs and insufficient quantities of qualified technology education teachers. This is extremely vital to the future health of the technology education profession. Along with this issue, the lack of understanding for what technology education is by administrators and counselors proves to be adding to the entire problem. As stated in the article, “serious efforts need to be directed at developing a clear and distinct description of the profession that can be easily grasped and understood by those inside and outside of the profession.”

My Thoughts:
I only wish that everyone could read this article and take it seriously. It seems that everyone can be in agreement that technology is the way of the future. I now ask, why aren’t we making technology education a priority in school curriculum? Why are there not incentives for people to go in to technology education? If we want to take technology education seriously, a complete overhaul needs to happen with forming a curriculum, recruiting teachers, and gaining a good understanding for what technology education is.

References:
Wicklein, R. (2004, December). CRITICAL ISSUES AND PROBLEMS IN TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION. (Cover story). Technology Teacher, 64(4), 6-9. Retrieved June 8, 2009, from Academic Search Complete database.