TECHNOLOGY: What does it mean to be a technology school?

When I think of a technology school, I like to think we as a "technology school" is really defined not  by the way we deliver curriculum or the way our students express gained knowledge through technology.  I like to think that we are more a school that sees technology through the "Critical Studies" lens.  When I think back at how The School of The Future delivers curriculum, I like to think that is the direction we are headed eventually as a "technology."  As we talk about the direction of our school as being technology-driven, we often talk only about using technology but sometimes I think media literacy and critical studies about technology is not discussed.

CONSUMING TECHNOLOGY

I think that it is very important to gain the knowledge needed to use emerging technology such as PowerPoint, Google Docs, Web Design, Film Production and the like, but is that what makes us a technology school.  Does the use of technology make us a "technology school."  Is having a computer in every classroom define us as a "technology" school.  For me, that is only an appetizer to being a "technology school."  After all, you can make the most beautiful PowerPoint presentation and still say nothing.

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TECHNOLOGY AS A MEDIUM

It's a natural step that when you learn to use technology, you would use it to express one's thoughts and create new and innovative way to express ideas.  But does the delivery of ideas through new medium really define us as a "technology."  If a student critically expressed themselves in "old media" such as skits, poster boards and the like, would that not be equally valid?  I'm not sold that ethnology just means emerging new media.  I think technology is also about the old school technology that worked.  I understand that as we send students to the workforce, they need "new media" skills in order to function in college and in the working world.  Let's face it, computer knowledge is truly a must in the 21st Century.

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CRITIQUING TECHNOLOGY

I think a lens that we often don't discuss when we talk about technology is the "Critical Studies" aspect.  I think that a part of being a "technology" school is to help students critically look at how they consume technology, how technology plays a part in their world, how they shape the direction of technology and how they can use technology to further the goals of social justice and environmental stewardship.  I don't think it is enough to simple consume technology or express oneself through emerging technologies, I think as a "technology" school, we have to help students understand technology from a critical standpoint.

To learn more about the School of the Future, check out their website:

http://www.sof.edu/