I want to welcome you to the "Technology Systems" class and lab. This class has been designed to allow students to experience many of the new technologies that affect your daily life. Modules have been developed to allow students to interact with high-tech equipment and current software programs.
A self-directed set of student activity guides is part of each module. The activity guides explain each of the activities and allow the student to investigate the technologies without direct teacher direction.
Currently there are 15 different technologies offered in the class. On the technology introductory side we have modules of Flight Transportation and Flight Simulator, Laser Applications, Computer Animation, Computer Aided Design, Architecture, Engineering Structures, Graphic Design, Electricity, Electronics, 3D Modeling, CNC (Mastercam) Wood Production, and Precision Measure. Our advanced stations are currently Autodesk AutoCAD and two stations of Inventor with plans to add another Autodesk design program "Revit" in the very near future.

Each of our six week grading periods will be divided into two seperate three week rotations. This gives the students adequate time to complete the following list of requirements;
A. A 20 question pre-test; which test prior knowledge of the assigned technology. This is not a graded item, instead the students receive a bonus of one point for each correct answer and serves as a starting point for the final evaluation or post-test.
B. Normally there are nine seperate lab activities. Each of the activities serve to enforce the overall technology concepts of their current assignment.
C. Immediately after the successful completion of the lab activity, there is a five question computer generated test. The test relates directly to the concept supported by the previous lab activity. The computer grades the test, gives them a test result complete with missed questions. Then if the student is not satisfied with the grade, they may take the test again and again.
D. After completion of the activity test they answer one short answer question again relating to the previous lab. Many of the responses have no exact answer and may vary. They are evaluated not on correctness; but thought.
E. After the last activity, test and short answer response, the students then take their post-test. This is an evaluation to see if they grasped the concepts presented through each of the lab activities. Hopefully it will be better than the pre-test grade.
F. The next evaluation is a vocabulary test; which is simply an evaluation of terminology. Each of the stations have a glossary in either hard copy or computer desk top or both.
G. Each student is required to write up a simple career research report with material from our district wide career website bridges.com. The students retrive a form; which asks for information such as; Technology area, related career, description of the career, required education or training, possible training schools, salary and/or wages, employment outlook, and two fallback or associated careers.
H. Finally the students are required to perform or supply an end-of-the-module requirement or project. This shows me that they understand the concepts and can apply them to real world situations.
Each of the students are required to have a rotation grade sheet. This grade sheet is not only for the students benfit, so they may keep track of their progress; but for the parents benefit as well. If the parent wants to know how their student is doing in the class, they should ask for this paper. Many times our grades are not posted until the last few days of the evaluation period. Having this paper is a good way to track what is done and what is still required.

If the student gets in a situation where they need more time for success, the lab is open Monday-Thursday from 2:30-7::00 p.m. and most Friday's until 5:00 p.m. The student will need to inform the instructor that they are coming so if any special preparations are in order I can plan. On occasion early mornings and weekends can also be arranged.

PRINCIPLES OF TECHNOLOGY
PHYSICS IN CONTEXT

More than ever before, technology is changing the way we live, the way we work, and the way we play. We read about the rapid advantages of technology in lasers, telecommunications, and medicine. We sense the impact of technology on the changing workplace, where robots and automated manufacturing processes are becoming increasingly important. We see advancing technology in computerized offices and automobiles. And we stand back in awe when technology comes together in something as earth-shaking as a space vehicle. If we are to keep up with technology and to control it, we need to understand it. Principles of Technology is designed to help the student gain that understanding.

Principles of Technology is a course in applied physics for those who plan to pursue careers as technicians or possibly engineering or who want to keep pace with the advances in technology. It blends an understanding of basic principles with practice in practical applications. It will give the student a firm foundation for understanding today’s and tomorrow’s technology.

Principles of Technology is made up of ten (10) units. Each unit focuses on one of the important concepts that support modern technology – concepts such as force (The Prime Movers), work, rate, resistance, energy, or power. Each unit explains how that concept applies to mechanical, fluid, electrical, and thermal systems.

Each unit builds on the earlier units, and together the units will help the student understand the complex systems, like robots, in which mechanical, fluid, electrical, and thermal subsystems work together.

Principles of Technology is an opportunity to learn about modern technology and the basic ideas that control and shape technology.

If a science certified teacher teaches this course and the student successfully completes the course, science credit will be awarded. This instructor is science certified.

Math Overview

This course requires a great deal of math with most of it revolving around skills acquired in Algebra I. The bulk of the year will be spent solving three variable equations where one variable is unknown while the others are available through measurable data or given as part of a problem in the text. This situation will bring up several problems for the student to work through as they master the material in this course. Having a problem solving process in place for the students to use on a regular basis is very important.

Lab Overview

This course, PIC/ PT, is a special course as it is very engaging using hands-on techniques. The use of labs is crucial in this course as it helps reinforce math skills and concepts learned in the lecture. Not only does this course use the three types of learning skills: visual, auditory, and kinesthetic, but it also teaches real-world applications. Physics in Context or Principles of Technology focus on the 4 basic energy systems, mechanical, fluid, electrical, and thermal. Each subunit will end with a lab(s) to assist in the student’s knowledge and comprehension of the material.
The PIC course is structured to have only one lab per subunit.
Each lab is designed to fill a 50 minute class period. It is at the teacher’s discretion to either pre-set labs or have the students set them up themselves. It is recommended that the class is structured with no more than 3 students per lab table. The following are jobs that can be assigned during labs: group leader, secretary, technician, and technician assist. This ensures that all students are involved with the labs. To ensure all equipment is working, to foresee any problems that may occur during the lab, the instructor may complete the labs ahead of time.



Student Assessment

There are many assignments for this class and with the exception of class reading the work will be done during class time. If the student falls behind there will be multiple chances presented for make-up. The lab will normally be open from 2:30 p.m.-7:00 p.m. Monday thru Thursday and until 5:00 p.m. on Friday. If the instructor is absent on a school day, chances are the lab will not be accessible to the student.
Student assessment will be broken down into the following components;
 Attendance- 10%
 Lab Participation- 20%
 Quizzes- 10%
 Math Labs- 20%
 Performance Labs- 20%
 Unit Test- 20%
These grading assessments and assigned percentages may change as the year progresses. Since this is a new class adjustments may need to be made.

TEACHER SCHEDULE;
Period 1- Athletics/Swim
Period 2- Conference
Period 3- Pool Maintenance
Period 4- Tech Systems
Period 5- Tech Systems
Period 6- Principles of Technology/Applied Physics
Period 7- Athletics/Swim

CONTACTS
Phone- 832-764-7070 Direct to room
Email- rickm@springisd.org