Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Problem Solving in Real-Life Contexts: An Alternative for Design in Technology Education

  • Published:
International Journal of Technology and Design Education Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This article focuses on one way to study technology, through technological problem solving situated in real-life contexts. In problem solving for real-life contexts, design processes are seen as creative, dynamic and iterative processes that engage exploration; join conceptual and procedural knowledge-both thought and action; and can encourage considerations to technology, human and environmental interactions. This approach is a demarcation from what is typically found in schools; design, make and appraise cycles based on closed design briefs that are teacher assigned and unrelated to the students' world. An interpretation of technology education as problem solving for real-life contexts using design processes as tools for creation and exploration offers an alternative approach to design in technology education. Alternative curriculum and instruction then emerge. Elementary and secondary school programs in technology education and teacher education can all be seen through this kind of design lens. Episodes from case studies are reported with the intent to briefly describe technology education programs in elementary and secondary schools that interpret technology education in this way. Educational implications of this approach are offered.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

REFERENCES

  • Anning, A., Jenkins, E. & Whitelaw, S.: 1996, Bodies of Knowledge and Design-based Activities: A Report to the Design Council, The University of Leeds, Leeds.

    Google Scholar 

  • Beakley, G. C.: 1975, Introduction to Engineering Graphics, MacMillan, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cross, N.: 1983, Design: Processes and Products Course Units, Open University Press, Buckingham.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dewey, J.: 1977, Experience and Education (20th printing), MacMillan Collier, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dunn, S. & Larson, R.: 1990, Design Technology: Children’s Engineering, The Falmer Press, Lewes.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eggleston, J.: 1992, Teaching Design and Technology, Open University Press, Buckingham.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ferguson, E. S.: 1993, Engineering and the Mind’s Eye, The MIT Press, Cambridge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Franklin, U.: 1990, The Real World of Technology, Anansi Press, Toronto, ON.

    Google Scholar 

  • Friesen, D.: 1997, ‘Exploring Self-Study from a Postmodern Perspective’. Paper presented to the Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association, 24-25 March, Chicago, IL.

  • Gardner, H.: 1983, The Theory of Multiple Intelligences, Basic Books, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gardner, H.: 1993, Multiple Intelligences: The Theory in Practice, Basic Books, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hill, A. M.: 1994a, ‘Perspectives on Philosophical Shifts in Vocational Education: From Realism to Pragmatism and Reconstructionism’, Journal of Vocational and Technical Education 10(2), 37-45.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hill, A. M.: 1994b, ‘Technology in the Elementary School’, MSTE News 4(1), 1-4.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hill, A. M.: 1994c, ‘Technology in the Elementary School’, Technology Teacher 55(5), 19-23.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hill, A. M.: 1997, ‘Reconstructionism in Technology Education’, International Journal of Technology and Design Education 7(1-2), 121-139.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hill, A. M. & Hopkins, R.: 1997, ‘Two Paths Converge: A Story of University and School Collaboration in Teacher Education’. Paper presented to the International Study Association on Teacher and Teacher Thinking (ISATT), 8th Annual Conference, 1-5 October, Kiel, Germany.

  • Hill, A. M. & Smith, H. A.: 1996, ‘The Evolution of an Exemplary Secondary School Program in Technological Education: An Ontario Perspective’. Paper presented to the 8th Symposium of the International Organization of Science and Technology Education (IOSTE), 17-24 August, Edmonton, AB.

  • Hill, A. M. & Smith, H. A.: 1997, ‘Bringing Classroom Design and Community-based Projects Together: Attributes of an Innovative Technology Education Program’. Paper presented to the Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association, 24-25 March, Chicago, IL.

  • Jenkins, E.: 1993, ‘Knowledge and Action: Science as Technology?’, in R. McCormick, P. Murphy & M. Harrison (eds.), Teaching and Learning Technology, Addison-Wesley for The Open University Press, Wokingham, pp. 3-14.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jones, A.: 1997, ‘Recent Research In Learning Technological Concepts and Processes’, International Journal of Technology and Design Education 7(1-2), 83-96.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jones, A.: 1997, Know How 2, Video Modules, Copeland Wilson, Wellington.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jones, A. & Carr, A.: 1994, ‘Students Technological Capability: Where Do We Start?’, SAME papers 1994, 165-186.

  • Jones, A., Mather, V. & Carr, A.: 1995, Issues in the Practice of Technology Education, Centre for Science and Mathematics Education Research, University of Waikato, Hamilton.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kimbell, R.: 1986, Craft Design & Technology, The Open University Press, Milton Keynes.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lave, J.: 1988, Cognition in Practice: Mind, Mathematics and Culture in Everyday Life, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lave, J.: 1991, ‘Situated Learning in Communities of Practice’, in L. B. Resnick, J. M. Levine & S. D. Teasley (eds.), Shared Cognition: Thinking as Social Practice, Perspectives on Socially Shared Cognition, American Psychological Association, Washington, DC.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lawson, B.: 1990, How Designers Think, Butterworth Architecture, London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Layton, D.: 1993, ‘Science Education as Praxis’, in R. McCormick, P. Murphy & M. Harrison (eds.), Teaching and Learning Technology, Addison-Wesley for The Open University Press, Wokingham, pp. 3-14.

    Google Scholar 

  • McCormick, R.: 1997, ‘Conceptual and Procedural Knowledge’, International Journal of Technology and Design Education 7(1-2), 141-159.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McCormick, R., Murphy, P. & Hennessy, S.: 1994, ‘Problem Solving Processes in Technology Education: A Pilot Study’, International Journal of Technology and Design Education 4(1), 5-34.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McCormick, R., Murphy, P., Hennessy, S. & Davidson, M.: 1996a, ‘Research on Student Learning of Designing and Problem Solving in Technology Activity in Schools in England’. Paper presented to the Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association, 8-12 April, New York.

  • McCormick, R., Murphy, P., Hennessy, S. & Davidson, M.: 1996b, ‘Problem Solving in Science and Technology’. Paper presented to the Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association, 8-12 April, New York.

  • Milgram, R. A.: 1990, ‘Creativity: An Idea Whose Time Has Come and Gone?’, in M. Runco & R. Albert (eds.), Theories of Creativity, Sage Publications, London, pp. 215-233.

    Google Scholar 

  • Miller, M. D.: 1985, Principles and Philosophy for Vocational Education, The Ohio State University, The National Center for Research in Vocational Education, Columbus, OH.

    Google Scholar 

  • Norman, E., Riley, J., Urry, S. & Whittaker, M.: 1990, Advanced Design and Technology, Longman, Essex.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ontario Ministry of Education and Training: 1995, The Common Curriculum, Queen’s Printer, Toronto, ON.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ontario Ministry of Education and Training: 1995, Broad-based Technological Education, Queen’s Printer, Toronto, ON.

    Google Scholar 

  • Raizen S. A., Sellwood, P. Todd, R. D. & Vickers, M.: 1995, Technology Education in the Classroom: Understanding the Designed World, Jossey Bass Publishers, San Francisco.

    Google Scholar 

  • Runco, M. & Albert, R.: 1990, Theories of Creativity, Sage Publications, London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Taylor, C.: 1991, ‘The Dialogical Self’, in D. R. Hiley, J. F. Bohman & R. Shusterman (eds.), The Interpretive Turn: Philosophy, Science, Culture, Cornell University Press, Ithaca, pp. 304-314.

    Google Scholar 

  • Taylor, I.: 1975, ‘An Emerging View of Creative Actions’, in I. Taylor & J. V. Getzels (eds.), Perspectives in Creativity, Aldine, Chicago, pp. 297-325.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tickle, L.: 1990, Design and Technology in Primary School Classrooms: Developing Teachers’ Perspectives and Practices, The Falmer Press, Lewes.

    Google Scholar 

  • Waetjen, W. B.: 1995, ‘Technology and the Humanities’, in G. E. Martin (ed.), Foundations of Technology Education, 44th Yearbook, Council of Technology Teacher Education, Glencoe/McGraw/Hill, Peoria, IL.

    Google Scholar 

  • Walker, D. & Cross, N.: 1983, An Introduction to Design, Open University Press, Buckingham.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wallas, G.: 1926, The Art of Thought, Harcourt, Brace and Co., New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wallas, G.: 1973, ‘The Art of Thought’, in P. E. Vernon (ed.), Creativity: Selected Readings, Penguin, Harmondsworth, pp. 91-97.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wiener, N.: 1993, Invention: The Care and Feeding of Ideas, The MIT Press, Cambridge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Williams, P. H. M.: 1990, Teaching Craft, Design and Technology: Five to Thirteen, Routledge, London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yin, R. K.: 1994, Case Study Research: Design and Methods (2nd ed.), Sage, Thousand Oaks.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario

    Ann Marie Hill

Authors
  1. Ann Marie Hill
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Hill, A.M. Problem Solving in Real-Life Contexts: An Alternative for Design in Technology Education. International Journal of Technology and Design Education 8, 203–220 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1008854926028

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1008854926028

Search

Navigation