The Design of an Instrument to Assess Problem Solving Activities in Technology Education

Literally millions of dollars have been spent during recent years to build and equip new or renovated technology education laboratories and to implement contemporary instructional strategies (R. Barker, personal communication, February 14, 1997). For instance, in the state of Georgia alone, over $23.9 million dollars has been spent since 1989 on modular-type programs (Gossett, 1997). Modular curriculum designs have been widely adopted and the integration of math, science, and technology explored. Modular designs typically provide students, working in pairs, opportunities to progress through a series of guided learning activities with an emphasis on problem solving and a hands-on, minds-on approach to learning about technology. Modular lessons are available to address over twenty different specific technological topics and more are being developed on a regular basis.