An example would be to consider the implications of replacing work- ers with automated equipment. No longer can any one person be expected to master a body of knowledge, with available information doubling every six years. As an example, an industrial designer in the 1950's might have needed to be expert in mechanical design, steel fabrication and hydraulics. The ability to function effectively in a project group involves skills that are often addressed by technology education. However, the skills are not unique to technology, but broad based and applicable to many endeavors in an increasingly complex society .
Group dynamics includes leadership, com- munication, presentation, and persuasion skills.
These skills are vital in business or academia, in industry or politics, from committee work to designing. We should com- pel students to use them. For example, if a group of students will be evaluated on a final cooperative product, and no one member can manage all the work, persuasion, communi- cation, and cooperation will develop. The group must find ways to organize and communi- cate internally and externally to accomplish a common goal. The second category, problem solving strategies, includes the design process, in- formation management, and learning skills.