Miguel Aznar talks about technological literacy
at Santa Clara County Office of Education
Rock group Daft Punk talks about technological
competency in music video Technologic
Competency is...
Literacy is...
Typical computer classes
(for example)
ICE-9 curriculum
(for example)
Vocational
Conceptual
Designing, manufacturing, repairing
Critical thinking
Knowing which buttons to push
Knowing why we
push buttons and what impact that has
Technological literacy complements
technological competency by providing a context in which learning how to use a
specific technology makes sense. A classroom unit on technological
literacy, such as our curriculum, is
an important introduction (some describe it as an "umbrella") to classes on
technological competency. When you are learning how to do something,
don't you want to know where that skill fits in the big picture?
As rapidly as technology is changing, there are
concepts that endure. Applying these concepts and recognizing new ones
is basic to understanding and evaluating technology. They also provide a
cross-disciplinary thread to connect core content areas, which may stimulate
student interest in those areas (understanding a video game or a music
system will take you through history, science, math, and more).
Technological literacy complements
technological competency by providing a context in which learning how to use a
specific technology makes sense. A classroom unit on technological
literacy, such as our