Evaluating technical education in a spatially and temporally compressed world

Engineering and technology educators face potential limitations and problems should they neglect the diversity of social, cultural, and political environments in which their students find themselves despite the apparent compression of time and space brought about by technological changes that give the impression that the difference between individuals is getting smaller. This article looks at the evaluation of engineering and technology education from a social and cultural viewpoint and suggests that the evaluation should aim to be sensitive to local traditions and histories, and to particular wants, needs and fancies.