From the Editor

What's in the Purpose, Mission, and Scope?

In 1978, the Technology Student Association (formerly the American Industrial Arts Student Association) was formed. Today's mission statement of the Technology Student Association (TSA) is to

...foster personal growth, leadership, and opportunities in technology, innovation, design, and engineering. Members apply and integrate science, technology, engineering and mathematics concepts through co-curricular activities, competitive events and related programs.

The TSA motto is clear and concise "Learning to live in a technical world". Further, the creed for TSA is as follows:

I believe that Technology Education holds an important place in my life in the technical world. I believe there is a need for the development of good attitudes concerning work, tools, materials, experimentation, and processes of industry. Guided by my teachers, artisans from industry, and my own initiative, I will strive to do my best in making my school, community, state, and nation better places in which to live. I will accept the responsibilities that are mine. I will accept the theories that are supported by proper evidence. I will explore on my own for safer, more effective methods of working and living. I will strive to develop a cooperative attitude and will exercise tact and respect for other individuals. Through the work of my hands and mind, I will express my ideas to the best of my ability. I will make it my goal to do better each day the task before me, and to be steadfast in my belief in my God, and my fellow Americans.

As I complete my second issue and first volume of the Journal of Technology Education , I find myself reflecting on the purpose, motto, and creed of the TSA and comparing that organization's written words to that of the JTE (in addition to being Editor of the Journal of Technology Education , I am Executive Director of the Illinois Technology Student Association). For example, the mission (labeled the "scope") of the JTE is to "Provide a forum for scholarly discussion on topics relating to technology education." The forum for scholarly discussion comes in the form of manuscripts focused on technology education research, philosophy, and theory. In addition, book reviews, editorials, guest articles, comprehensive literature reviews, and reactions to previously published manuscripts also help to fulfill the mission of the JTE .

The TSA motto is clear. The TSA creed highlights such terms as technical world, work, tools, materials, experimentation, industry, initiative , and hands and mind . As Editor of the JTE , I believe our mission is also clear, but certainly has been expanded, much like that of the TSA, to include science, engineering, and mathematics as these disciplines relate to, or are integrated with, technology education. As our world continues to be shaped by the advancements in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, the Journal of Technology Education will also reshape itself, but the mission should not change from publishing appropriate research, philosophy, and theoretical manuscripts dedicated to topics relating to technology education.

In this issue of the JTE, you will find two international manuscripts (1) development of technological competence from adolescence to adulthood and (2) using traditional cultural examples to explain modern technology education; a book review on creativity and human innovation; an historical examination of the yearbook series that is central to the Council on Technology Teacher Education; a study examining the effects of solid modeling in technical problem solving; and a study focusing on collaborative information and multimedia in technology teacher preparation. All manuscripts published in this issue relate to the purpose and mission of the JTE . Further, all manuscripts directly relate to the scope of technology education even though each manuscript is different in nature. So, what's in the purpose, mission, and scope? I believe that the purpose, mission, and scope define an organization (or journal in this case) - nothing more and nothing less.