Technology, Learning, and Instruction

Technology - Technology is the manipulation of nature to meet humanity's needs and wants.  When man learned how to create and control fire, fire became a piece of technology.  However, this means that something can stop being technology if it no longer meets someone's needs or wants.  A forest fire raging out of control is no longer technology.  A computer that an indiviudal is too afraid to use is nothing more than an expensive bookend to that person.  The stated goal of CTE programs in Utah is to improve technological literacy in students.  This means that we attempt to teach students skills that will allow them to be comfortable witn and take advantage of all kinds of technology.

 

Learning -  Learning is the ability to retain knowledge of a concept.  This can be done through instruction or through personal experience.  Once something is learned, the subject's reaction to that thing becomes more predictable.  They are also able to make connections between the newly learned concept and concepts learned in the past.  Time can dim the ability of learning to affect the behavior of the learner, so many concepts need to be re-learned or periodically refreshed in the mind of the learner.

 

Instruction - Instruction is a purposeful effort to increase the learning of the subject of the instruction.  Instruction can range from rote memorization to project based learning.  In general, I feel that instruction is more effective when it involves real world experiences, whether real or synthesized.  The goal of instruction is to change the behavior of the learner in regard to the object of instruction.