Teknologikonferanse – tilrettelegging for tverrfagleg undervisning om elektrisk energi

Abstract

This study presents the Technology Conference, a didactical design aimed to facilitate cross-disciplinary teaching about how to produce electrical energy without climate gas emissions. The teaching unit is developed based on research literature and on experiences from four previous implementations in a pre-service teacher education course. Students’ discussions during a fifth implementation are recorded to investigate how different values are expressed when the students discuss and argue about different energy production methods. Transcriptions from the discussions are analyzed thematically. Ten categories developed to describe the student discussions focus on environmental protection, economics, and technological optimism. The students express concerns about environmental protection and how technological development should benefit countries and persons with less financial opportunities. However, the students also express a pragmatic view on how nature should be used and an optimistic view how technology can solve future challenges. This view is discussed in relation to the concepts of hope and doubt, and it is also argued that the didactical design might stimulate this pragmatic view. Based on this, an adjusted didactical design is suggested that aims to stimulate more focus on the challenges and dilemmas new technologies might bring.