What Koreans Think About Technology

This study purposed to survey Korean people��s thought about technology and to derive
meaningful implications related to technological literacy. In order to collect data, the
questionnaire developed by ITEA(2004) was translated and conducted a questionnaire survey
rather than a telephone survey due to the circumstance of research. The questionnaire was
composed of 16 questions mainly on technological literacy. The questionnaires were
distributed to citizens aged over 18 in the Incheon area, Korea, and 680 of them were
recovered.
From the results of analyzing the questionnaires were drawn conclusions as follows.
First, Korean people recognized the necessity of technology education in school and the
necessity of technological literacy. This result suggests that technology education in daily life
is demanded although the status of technology education is getting lower in school.
Second, Korean people recognized the necessity of knowledge about various
technology-related works. In addition, they regarded technological abilities in daily life as
important but could not distinguish among technology, science and engineering clearly.
Third, Korean people lacked accurate knowledge of technology in daily life, so they were
in need of technological literacy education. That is, they had some misconceptions in their
basic knowledge about daily used goods such as mobile phone, microwave oven, radio,
pharmaceuticals, Internet, and fuel cell.
Lastly, Korean people perceived that decision making on technology and technological
literacy would have huge impacts on society and environment, so they recognized the
necessity of technological literacy. They were interested in many technological issues, but
their knowledge of such issues was not sufficient.