Chapter 8: Designing With Technologies

I like the way designing takes problem solving to the next level. Instead of just selecting the solution students get to plan and make a solution. With design I see students getting the opportunity to carry out their solutions in a concrete form. Also, the chapter states how students get to process multiple solutions instead of just a single right answer. I felt that this was rather effective because there are so many learning opportunities in trial and error. It is also stated that design problems often require the designer to make judgments and defend the problem or express personal belief or opinion about it. I agree with this because in order to develop personal beliefs or opinions students must have good understanding of the problem they are solving.
I like the thought of being able to use this across different discipline like mathematics and media art. The mention of things like the FIRST Robotic and Lego design competitions reminds me of ways to get students to see things they are good at in life besides the conventional math, science, or social studies. There aren’t many opportunities within the everyday classroom for students to learn that they may want to be an electrician or engineer. Students starting out early with Computer-Aided Design Programs can be developed into students that may go on to build technological software for computers, electronically developed blue prints for structures, or even a whole new computing software all together. If students start out with little activities or software like “Architectural Design with Sketch-Up” from the school age just imagine where they may be at the college or young adult level. Also, so many students get to college and may spend about a year or more on exploration before deciding where they really want to be but if they have programs like these, students get an earlier change to explores those options or more time to learn about what may become their future career. I see these CAD’s as early job practice opportunities and I hope that I get firsthand experience in today’s presentation.
*B.C.*