Panel - the technological literacy of undergraduates: identifying the research issues

This panel reported the results of a workshop and symposium on the technological literacy of undergraduates convened at the National Academy of Engineering on April 18-19, 2005. This National Science Foundation sponsored workshop sought to identify and define the current research issues regarding the broad understanding of technology by all undergraduates. Participants included individuals who successfully implemented courses on technological literacy for undergraduates, representatives other disciplines such as Science Technology and Society (STS), history of technology, education, and the humanities, and representatives of the National Science Foundation and the National Academy of Engineering. The symposium included: a review of successful implementations, obstacles to courses on technology, learning objectives and student outcomes, relevant assessment tools and techniques, strategies for developing a scholarly community in the area, potential means of stimulating growth of interest in the topic, implementation in different types of institutions including community colleges, perspectives and issues concerning women and underrepresented minorities