Technology – the application of knowledge and skills to extend human capabilities and to help satisfy human needs and wants – has had profound effects on society.
Scotland has a strong tradition of excellence and innovation in technological research. This is especially true in areas such as engineering, electronics, optoelectronics, biomedical research, genomics and cell engineering. Scotland’s people need to be skilled in technologies and to be aware of the impact of technologies on society and the environment, now and in the future. Learning in the technologies provides a strong foundation for the development of skills and knowledge which are, and will continue to be, essential in maintaining Scotland’s economic prosperity.
These significant aspects of learning, listed here, ensure that learning is coherent for children and young people:
- Finding, discussing, organising and evaluating information through the Technologies
- searching and retrieving information to inform thinking Technologies 1
- Understanding how technological products work and how they affect people
- critical thinking through exploration and discovery within a range of learning contexts
- discussion and debate, skills in collaboration, leading and interacting with others
- problem solving skills through exploration.
- Planning and organising technological activities
- planning and organisational skills in a range of contexts
- skills in using tools, equipment, software and materials
- creativity and innovation, for example through ICT, computer-aided design and manufacturing approaches
- making connections between specialist skills developed within learning and skills for work evaluating products, applications, systems and services presentation skills.
