Technological skills refer to the skills pertaining to conversion of materials in certain useful forms. Its main object is to learn the dignity of labor and to empower learners to convert their ideas into visible material forms. Generally, kinesthetic children perform better in these skills. Some of the basic principles involved in designing activities for developing competencies for writing are as follows:
One of the serious defects of our teaching science lies in the fact that we teach science but fail to develop technological skills. The technological skills are expected to be taught after secondary and intermediate education in the form or polytechnic or engineering education. By the time engineering skills are attempted to be developed, it becomes too late. As a matter of fact, development of technological skills should be started early in life. This can be made the basis of learning science.
Technological competencies should be developed in the cultural context using local materials. Every society has certain traditional occasions and methods, which have been designed for development of technological competencies. Schools must make best use of them.
In Indian societies the concept of technological skill for construction of houses was passed on from one generation to another using games like Gharounda made on the occasion of Diwali. Children use various local materials like mud, thatch, wood etc. for making house designs. In this way, the local technological skill of house construction was learnt by children quite early in life. As Gharoundas are also decorated using local decoration materials, it also laid foundation of appreciation for aesthetic sense in technology, which is so crucial for development of technological creativity.
In the festival Sama chakeva, in North Bihar children are encouraged to make statues of different cultural heroes based on folk tales.
During Vishawakarma Puja, all technological machines are exposed for public display. Even big factories are closed for production. The machines are cleaned and are open for public to see the technological exhibition. On this occasion, items of simpler technology like typewriter, bicycle are also not used and general public is supposed to have exposure of technology.
All these cultural occasions should be used for exposing learners to various concepts of machine and technological development.
Different societies have their own folk arts and crafts. These crafts should be the basis of laying foundations of technological skills. One of the important features of these folk arts in that the are generally linked with social occasions and festivals. Further, as elders are engaged in the production of these crafts, children can be associated in the production to have a first hand experience of technological production.
It has been observed that in various production of such folk crafts basic formatting is done by parents are elders and children are expected to complete it. This kind of hands on experience is very helpful in the development of technological sense among the people.
As a first step, they learn the art of technological reproduction i.e. to learn the art of producing standard products. This should be distinguished from Creative Production, which empowers a learner to produce something new i.e. different from earlier production. Activities should be so designed that we have a proper mix of both kinds of production. In technological production, we must have exact replica of the standard product. It should be ensured that the learners are encouraged to fork out the details of the standard product and then try to make the replica as close to the original as possible. This empowers a learner to learn the intricacies of the standard product so that when they go for creative production, they can take care of their salient features into their creative work.
We have large number of toys and games, which promote technological skills. For example, Block Models, Models of Mechanical Sets, Electronic Sets, etc. Learners may be encouraged to play with those models and design standard and new designs.
Give such toys to the learners, which they are allowed to manipulate. Such activities are extremely helpful in development of technological skills.
Children love playing with sand, mud & water. So these things can be effectively used for initiation of technological skills. Learners may be taken to riverside or school can have a definite place, where sand can be kept. Learners should be encouraged to make various houses, group of houses, human body, bird, tree, garden etc. using sand twigs etc. These exercises should be done in-groups in presence of teacher/parents so that learner may not engage himself or herself into throwing sand on each other.
In Saraswati Puja (worship of Goddess of learning) fruits are used as prasad, which is distributed among the learners. At School of Creative Learning these fruits are used for learning innovative designing. Children are asked to prepare various designs from these fruits. They are also asked to use other vegetables. This results in an excellent exhibition of design from fruits and vegetables.
In Mithila region of Bihar dishes are beautifully designed before it is offered to honored guests. Hence fruits, animals, flowers etc. are carved out of rice. Salads and fruit vegetables are used to add color and variety to the whole show. This way, guests not only enjoy the dishes, but also appreciate the aesthetic outlook of the family. Such occasions should be used to lay the foundations of creative designing.
Wastes are a common phenomenon. Everywhere We have waste like
Packaging viz. Toothpaste, saving cream, salt products, milk, etc.
Broken furniture
Glass pieces
Toys
Clocks
Painting
Radio/T.V.
Hospital wastes
These wastes can be given to the children to make new designs. As there is no fear of wasting money these waste products can be excellent tools of developing technological skills.
Broken toys should be collected from the children to make a junk box. This collection should be given to children to make new toys. Teacher and parents should help them to find new combination. For example, using battery of one and wheel of another to design new car and so on.
There are several toys, which can be used teach science and scientific concepts. By manipulation of such toys many scientific principles can be learnt.
Contact Creative Learning Volunteers for details.
©2001-2009 APCL
Last changed:
Wed Jan 30 22:48:14 2013