Literacy, technological

Scientific and Technological Literacy. There is increasing concern within the business community about the effectiveness of the precoUege education system (K—12) in preparing students for an increasingly technically sophisticated workplace. This issue is of special importance to the chemical enterprise, which will find it more difficult to operate effectively in a society that does not understand science and the scientific process (42). 

Scientific literacy is different from technological literacy and many times people are not clear about this. A survey indicated that less than 7% of adults, 22% of college graduates and 26% of those with graduate degrees are scientifically literate. These numbers are not encouraging. In order to rectify this problem, more emphasis has been placed on science education in K-12 and at the college level. 

Technological Literacy ZU graduates will be able to effectively imderstand, use, and evaluate technology both ethically and secmely in an evolving global society. 

How can one claim to be literate if she does not understand how 95% of her environment works, or how it was made Technological literacy is simply basic literacy. It is no less important than understanding US history or trigonometry. Understanding how an engineer designs is just as important as understanding how a scientist thinks. 

Committee on Assessing Technological Literacy, National Academy of Engineering, National Research Council. Tech Tally Approaches to Assessing Technological Literacy. Elsa G. and Greg P., editors. Washington, DC National Academies Press, 2006. 

Sneider, C. Promoting Technology Literacy in Schools A Museum of Science Initiative, ASTC Dimensions, Association of Science Technology Centers, May/June 2007. 

Sneider, C., and Brenninkmeyer, J. Achieving Technological Literacy at the Secondary Level A Case Study from Massachusetts, Professional Development for Engineering and Technology A National Symposium, Illinois State University, February 2007. Available online at www.conferences.ilstu.edu/NSA/homepage.html. 

Correlation grid ITEA Standards for Technological Literacy... 

Modern fields such as bioengineering and biotechnology have evolved out of the solid foundations of physics, chemistry, and, more importantly, biology. Despite the trailblazing advancements, society still experiences an imbalance in the scientific and technological literacy of citizens. This has serious implications for public policy formulation, especially for developing countries. 

Louca, P., Riges, P, Eilks, 1., Valanides, N. (2006). Prospective science teachers conceptions of science teaching A cross- cultural study. Paper presented at the 1st Joint North American European South American Symposium Science and Technology Literacy in the 21st Century , Nicosia, Cyprus. 

Todd, R.D. Technological Literacy, an International Perspective Proceedings, Technology Education Symposium Blacksburg, VPI. 1986. 

Olson, David R., and Michael Cole, eds. Technology, Literacy and the Evolution of Society Implications of the Work of Jack Goody. Mahwah, N.J. Lawrence Erl-baum Associates, 2006. An interdisciplinary look at Goody s work on modes of communication in societies and their influence. 

Keywords Engineering profession Engineering method Engineering management Technological literacy Public perception... 

It is a widely accepted premise that the public needs to be more technologically literate for a variety of reasons that will benefit both individuals and society. For individuals, technological literacy will enhance the potential to acquire technology related jobs (Barus 1989), to make wise consumer choices, and to participate in public discourse about the pros and cons of technologies. Society benefits from... 

Bams, C. (1989). On technological literacy. In Delicate balance Technics, culture and consequences (pp. 292-298). Torrance Los Angeles Chapter IEEE SSIT. 

Wacker, G. (1991). Societal technological literacy is essential for sustainability. ISTAS 91 Preparing for a sustainable society. Post Conference Edition. Proceedings of the 1991 international symposium on technology and society, Ryerson Polytechnic Institute, Toronto, Canada, June 21-22,1991, pp. 311-317. 

Winzker, M., Schwandt, A. Teaching embedded system concept for technological literacy. In IEEE International Conference on Microelectronic System Education 2009, pp. 89-92... 

Holbrook, J. (1998). Operationalising scientific and technological literacy — A new approach to science t SiQhmg. Science Education International, 9, 13-18. 

Eilks, I. (2000). Promoting scientific and technological literacy Teaching Bio esel. Science Education... 

Dr. Rachel Mamlok-Naaman worked as a chemistry high school teacher and later became researcher and coordinator of the chemistry education group at the Weizmann Institute of Science (Israel). She is engaged in development, implementation, and evaluation of new curricular materials, and research on students perceptions of chemistry concepts. She also focuses on scientific and technological literacy, cognitive aspects of students learning, assessment, teachers professional development, and action research. 

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