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Technically Speaking: Why All Americans Need to Know More About Technology
BOX ES-1Characteristics of a Technologically Literate Citizen
Knowledge
Recognizes the pervasiveness of technology in everyday life.
Understands basic engineering concepts and terms, such as systems, constraints, and trade-offs.
Is familiar with the nature and limitations of the engineering design process.
Knows some of the ways technology shapes human history and people shape technology.
Knows that all technologies entail risk, some that can be anticipated and some that cannot.
Appreciates that the development and use of technology involve trade-offs and a balance of costs and benefits.
Understands that technology reflects the values and culture of society.
Ways of Thinking and Acting
Asks pertinent questions, of self and others, regarding the benefits and risks of technologies.
Seeks information about new technologies.
Participates, when appropriate, in decisions about the development and use of technology.
Capabilities
Has a range of hands-on skills, such as using a computer for word processing and surfing the Internet and operating a variety of home and office appliances.
Can identify and fix simple mechanical or technological problems at home or work.
Can apply basic mathematical concepts related to probability, scale, and estimation to make informed judgments about technological risks and benefits.
affect many others, sometimes the entire nation. These leaders would benefit from a comprehensive understanding of the nature of technology—a recognition, for example, that all technology involves trade-offs and can result in unintended consequences.
From a philosophical point of view, democratic principles imply that decisions affecting many people or the entire society should be made with as much public involvement as possible. As people gain confidence in their ability to ask questions and think critically about technological developments, they are likely to participate more in making decisions. Increased citizen participation would add legitimacy to decisions about technology and make it more likely that the public would accept those decisions. Citizen participation would also give policy makers and technical experts a better understanding of citizens’ hopes and fears about technology.
Democratic principles imply that decisions affecting many people or the entire society should be made with as much public involvement as possible.
Because our economy is increasingly being driven by technological innovation and because an increasing percentage of jobs require technological skills, a rise in technological literacy would have economic impacts. For example, a technologically literate public would generate a
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