Explore issues of land and sustainability
All technologies have positive and negative aspects which students can analyze and study as part of the learning process and for future design iterations. This deeper analysis of technologies advantages and disadvantages would greatly aid in ushering in a future where designers and developers will approach their work through a lens of responsibility regarding sustainability and environmental/ecological awareness and be in line with Indigenous teachings regarding issues of the land and sustainability. Focus on land and sustainability issues in technology education offers:
- a holistic, community, and environmentally focused approach to technological interaction within the technology education classroom/shop which could aid greatly in opening a different future for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous students, allowing for all peoples to share their culture and work towards a mutually beneficial future for all.
- to create an environmentally conscious classroom where educators prepare students to think critically about what they are designing and making, how they relate to themselves and their community, and the potential environmental ramifications they or others could create.
Examples: Students research how the local environment has changed throughout history and the connection(s) the technology may have had to that change. They can choose a technology used locally and research its evolution over time and its connection to the land and local environment. Identify local Indigenous practices and explore how new technologies may have changed those practices and discover the environmental impact those changes may have caused.
Practicing sustainability
Instead of just talking about sustainability, why not try and make a real-life difference? Encouraging students to participate in environmentally positive actions will help connect students to the land and give them a sense of ownership for their local environment. This can be done in ways such as:
- planting trees locally to offset the wood use from a woodwork course. A woodwork course uses many trees worth of wood for projects. Taking the time to have students plant some replacement trees can offset the wood used for the course.
- recycling electronics. This can have many benefits in an electronics or robotics course. Accepting electronics donations from the local community allows students to explore numerous technologies they may not have otherwise been able to look at. Students can harvest parts from the donations for other projects or fix/troubleshoot the device if it is not working. This may also present the opportunity to explore parts, components, devices, and technologies that a standard electronics/robotics class would not normally have access to. The remaining parts can be recycled at the nearest electronics recycling center.
- Exploring sustainable technologies and how they could be implemented in a local context. This can range from green houses for growing to electric vehicles to creating sustainable power systems (i.e. solar energy).
Explore local land and environment
The land and wildlife can also be teachers in their own way. Connecting students to them is important for their growth and understanding of the world around them. They are a place to relax, explore, and discover new things beyond what the classroom/shop can ever offer. Some approaches to connecting with the land and wildlife are:
- to take students to a local wild location and take the time learn the names and other information about trees, plants, and animals that you see. Students can take pictures or make sketches of what they see and later research what they are and what makes them unique and important to the ecosystem. (This may be dependent on where your school is located and the ability to transport students safely to a location off the school site.)
- explore nature at different times of the year, noting the changes that take place as the seasons progress. Discover the cyclical and interconnected ways nature and wildlife react to one another.