TECHNOLOGY IN THE PRIMARY SCHOOL.
WHAT, WHY AND HOW.

WHAT IS TECHNICS OR TECHNOLOGY

Five defining features of technics:

1.Technics is universal as a human activity, engaged in by boys and girls, children and adults.

2. Technics involves the locomotion or change of matter, energy and information. In the execution of these activities any damage to the environment or human beings is to be avoided.

3. Technics can be subdivided into the activities of design, production and use. Use also meaning applications and evaluation.

4. Technics and science affect one another. Science is applied in technics and the other way round.

5. Technics and society affect one another. Technics is meant to serve man and society, not the other way round. A positive attitude of man towards technics is desirable.


WHY TECHNICS AS A SUBJECT IN THE PRIMARY SCHOOL

Three theses on the role of technics:

1. Technics is part of the child's day to day experience. For instance, the methods and machinery applied in the building of houses, roads, bridges etc. There is a gap between this direct sensory experience of engineering and the world of abstract and highly complex technology characterizing modern civilization. It is desirable that this gap be bridged.

2. Political decisions in our democracy are often made on the basis of technical data. For instance decisions regarding a cleaner environment, decisions on the location of factories, the construction of railroads. Democracy is learned, and the learning begins in childhood. The gap between technology and politics should be bridged as well.

3. If the child takes an interest in technics the range of career options open to him is extended. This applies to girls as well. Technical education has an emancipatory effect as it helps the learner to overcome the disability the technical analphabet suffers.


HOW TO PRESENT TECHNICS IN THE PRIMARY SCHOOL

Three forms of technical education:

1. Integrated into existing subject areas
a. nature studies
b. social studies
c. art

2. As part of the exploration of the environment, using the methodology of thematic instruction.

3. As a subject in its own right, labeled "technics and technology", to be introduced into the curriculum.

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