Application of the design process in the light of the Anthropocene: A conceptual study

• The ability to influence the environment began during the Palaeolithic as technology amplified and extended human skills from using stones as tools to lethality attainable through a pointed projectile. Technology became a progressively critical component in a system of artefacts leading to an increase in the likelihood of human survival and enabling population growth. All technology has an essential impact on society, nature and sustainability as a tool for building capacity for living and learning but also as a problem for sustaining the planet. Education is the key to awareness of the consequences of technology. The question is to what extent these environmental issues are part of the design process where technology solutions are developed in technology education today. We investigate examples of how the design process is used in technology education in South Africa and Sweden in relation to the environmental situation in the Anthropocene. What is emphasised in the technology classroom in relation to sustainability? A conclusion is that learners are not aware of the effect of their actions. The culture of recycling and reuse is a springboard for sustainability and the phenomenon, cradle-to-cradle, ought to be embraced by technology teachers in education.

Ämnesord

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Utbildningsvetenskap (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Educational Sciences (hsv//eng)

Publikations- och innehållstyp

ref (ämneskategori)

kap (ämneskategori)