Curriculum Development for 7th Grade Technology

Authors and Contributors

• The book was written by a team of authors including: Dr. Jهاد زكارنة, Dr. محسن عدس, Ms. عارف الحسيني, Ms. ناصر قادوس, Dr. بسمة الضميري, and others.
• The team included educators, scientists, and curriculum developers.

Curriculum and Publication Details

• The technology curriculum for 7th grade in Palestinian schools was developed and implemented from the academic year 2014/2015.
• There were national committees, including curriculum designers, writers, editors, and graphic artists, to design and publish the curriculum.
• The document shows a review and revision process to adapt to advancements in science and technology.
• Funding for the curriculum development was provided by international and Arab organizations, especially the government of Belgium.

Introduction and Purpose

• The curriculum aims to reflect Palestinian identity and aspirations, fostering national pride and democratic values.
• It's intended to create a knowledgeable generation equipped for the future, promoting human development.
• The curriculum was outlined and developed under a phased approach of outlining, reviewing, writing, and approval.
• A diverse team of educators and authors were involved.
• The texts and activities aim for accessible, logical learning and opportunities for various learning modalities, including online resources, computers, local culture, and family learning.

Structure and Content

• The 7th-grade technology textbook has 4 main sections/units: Medical Technology, Communication and Information Technology, Considering Technology, and Agricultural Technology.
• Units are designed in a spiral model for continuity and connection to other subjects.
• There are specific lessons within the units, for example, medical technology includes surgical processes and ethics, while the electricity unit includes topics on safety and energy efficiency, and other subjects.
• A table of contents is provided to show the structure of the units and lessons.
• Learning objectives are also listed in the document.

Specific Examples (Medical Technology)

• The unit on medical technology explores medical technologies used in surgical operations, like heart catheterization and kidney disease treatment.
• It also touches on the ethical consideration behind using such medical technologies.

Activities and Exercises

• The document includes activities that demonstrate the technology used in various medical procedures, such as heart catheterization, to have students understand the procedure.
• The curriculum emphasizes hands-on activities to promote practical application and problem-solving skills and group work.
• Activities in this field involve using models or simulations to show medical technology.

Overall Educational Vision

• The curriculum aims to equip students with essential technological skills for successful participation in their communities.
• The goal is to facilitate a transition from theoretical learning to practical implementation, fostering active learning and problem-solving.
• The textbook is intended as a pilot edition , to be evaluated followed by improvements based on practical implementation in the future.