TECHNOLOGY:An Introduction

TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION is . . .

“A study of technology, which provides an opportunity for student to learn about the processes and knowledge related to technology that are needed to solve problems and extend human capabilities.” (R1, pg.242)

AREAS OF TECHNOLOGY

• COMMUNICATION• CONSTRUCTION• MANUFACTURING• POWER AND ENERGY• TRANSPORTATION• BIOTECHNOLOGY

TECHNOLOGY IS . . .

“Human innovation that involves the generation of knowledge and processes to develop systems that solve problems and extend human capabilities.” (R1, pg.242)

TECHNOLOGY IS NOT . . .

These things are impacted by technology, but not examples of

technology

• Things from Nature– trees– birds– fish

TECHNOLOGICALLY LITERATE means . . .

“The ability to use, manage, understand, and access technology.” (R1, pg.242)

Communication Systems

Systems that change information into messages that can be transmitted. These systems include a sender, message, receiver, and feedback.

Communication Systems Model

The message is encoded (made into a symbol) so it can be transmitted through a channel. The message is then received and decoded so it can be understood. Interference or noise can cause a breakdown in communication. Feedback allows

you to determine if the message that was sent was communicated accurately

Structural SystemsSystems that use goods and materials to build structures that will resist external force, support a load, and hold each structural element in a relative position to other parts.

Manufacturing Systems

Systems using materials and processes to produce usable products.

Energy, Power and Transportation Systems – Systems that convert energy into mechanical, fluid, electrical, radiant, chemical, and thermal energy.

Science tells us that energy can neither be created nor destroyed. However, a great deal of human action is devoted to converting energy from one form to another form. For example, we burn fuels to change water into steam, which contain energy in the form of heat.

IMPACTS OF TECHNOLOGY

• Society• Culture• Economy• Environmental• Politics• Ethical

Considerations

Society -Having to do with the ways in which communities of people live.

For example, Communication technology has changed the way people spend their leisure time. (TV, Internet, and ipods.)

Culture - Having to do with the skills and arts developed during a given period.

For example, What about our attitudes toward violence? Have they changed because of TV. When we see battles in bloody detail on the evening news each night, does it have an impact on our feelings about war?

Economy - Having to do with the economy.

Today, businesses rely on computers, high tech telephones, fax machines, and local area computer networks. These systems have a real effect on the economy.

Environmental - Relating to our physical environment.

Communication tends to be a “clean” technology. Compared to “smokestack” industries, like steel production, communication industries are easier on the environment. However, this does not mean there are fewer environmental impacts involving communication technologies. A cleaner environment is an impact.

Politics -Relating to the government.

Long ago someone wrote, “The pen is mightier than the sword.” His point was that the written word could bring about more political and social change than violence or war. The mass media (TV, radio, newspaper, magazines, and books) have a real impact on our political system.

Ethical Considerations –Relating to matters of right and wrong

Things that are unethical may not necessarily be against the law. However most people agree they are wrong. You can now copy music without paying for it. Is this ethical?

Impacts of Technology

• Technology is increasing at an exponential rate.

• Impacts can be positive or negative and intended or unintended

Trade-off is accepting the benefits of a technology despite negative or undesirable aspects.

For instance cars pollute, but we love having the independence to travel where we desire.

Questions about Impacts of TechnologyCutting down trees to build a parking lot is an example of how technology affects the:

EnvironmentSocietyCultureEconomy

Determining whether or not cloning is right is what type of concern?

MoralEthicalEconomicEnvironmental

Questions about Impacts of TechnologyJohn’s religion does not allow medical intervention. This is an example of what type of impact?

EnvironmentalCulturalEconomicSocietal

The assembly line enabled various products to be mass-produced. This is an example of what type of impact?

AestheticCulturalEconomicEthical

Questions about Impacts of Technology

Laws that govern human cloning are:EnvironmentalPoliticalBiotechnicalHistorical

The fact that we tolerate some technologies, even though they have negative impacts on us is a:

Trade-offSocializationObstacle of processProduct obsolescence

Questions about Impacts of TechnologyAn unexpected impact of technology might include which one of the following?

• Birth defects caused by industrial pollution.• A positive impact of technology.• Improved fuel efficiency in a newly developed automobile.• Production cost override.

Weighing the tradeoffs to determine if the technology is feasible, or for the best, refers to which part of technology?

• impacts.• negative aspects.• positive aspects.• steam power

Questions about Impacts of Technology

Which of the following is an example of a desirable impact of technology?

• Air pollution from automobiles• Waste disposal of obsolete products• Affordable products for the masses• Development of ozone gases

The Technology Student Association is a non-profit national student organization devoted to teaching technology education to young people. TSA's mission is to inspire its student members to prepare for careers in a technology-driven economy and culture. The demand for technological expertise is escalating in American industry. Therefore, TSA's teachers strive to promote technological literacy, leadership, and problem solving to their student membership

Major Historical Developments

Stone Age

Approximately 250,000 B.C.- 3,000 B.C. During the Stone Age most tools were made of stone. Shaping rocks into sharp edges for arrows, spears, and knifes was very time consuming and the tools would easily wear with use. Most tools were used for agriculture and hunting

Major Historical Developments

Bronze Age

Approximately 3000 B.C. - 1200 B.C. Bronze is a metal alloy made of copper and tin. People found it easier to shape tools if metal was melted then shaped by using a mold. The metal tools were not only easier to shape, but were more durable and useful than stone tools. Most technological developments were for improved agriculture practices, growing industries and military applications

Major Historical Developments

Iron Age

Approximately 1200 B.C. - 500 A.D. Iron is metal, and when alloyed with other materials is stronger than bronze. Again, most technological developments were brought about to improve agriculture, trade and military weapons.

Major Historical Developments

Middle Ages

Approximately 500 A.D. - 1500 A.D. The Middle Ages brought about a number of technological developments that led to industrialization. The agricultural advances produced a surplus of crops, which led to increased trade. Increased trade created bigger markets with more products. The spinning wheel was one of the jumpstarts of a growing textile industry.

Major Historical Developments

Renaissance

Approximately 1450 A.D -1700 A. D. the Renaissance was a time of rebirth in the arts. Gutenburg invented the printing press with moveable type, which enabled information to be disseminated throughout the world. At first, the printing press was used for the distribution of the Bible, but as time progressed, it was used to produce other literature. Leonardo da Vinci created drawings and written descriptions of things that were later developed in the 20th Century. The first screwdriver was invented as gunsmiths tried to adjust their gun mechanisms. The camera obscura, telescope, the submarine, and hydraulic press were also developed during this time period.

Major Historical Developments

Industrial AgeApproximately 1700 - 1940. The Industrial Age marks the point in history in which factories took over the production of most products. People began to buy items and migrate toward cities for jobs. The growing number of factories drove the need for technological improvements in machinery and systems. Trade over long distances increased which created a bigger demand for fast, reliable, efficient transportation systems. Communication advances accelerated information and coordination systems at an alarming rate. Structural systems were forced to improve as cities began to grow up instead of out.

Major Historical DevelopmentsInformation AgeApproximately 1940 - present. The Information Age is a period of time where technological developments have and will continue to occur at an exponential rate. New developments are often outdated before the finished product arrives at the store for purchase. The microchip revolutionized the world of electronics and has made communication systems faster, cheaper, and more powerful than ever. Constant research occurs in energy systems to make them more efficient and less harmful to the environment. Manufacturing systems are highly technical and require specialized education. Structural systems are constantly changing to incorporate new materials and creative approaches to efficient building.

Stone Age250,000 B.C. - 2500 B.C.Development Approximate Date SignificanceControl of fire 500,000 B.C. Cooking, making pottery, lighting, heatHand ax 500,000 B.C. Used for huntingBow and arrow Unknown Used for huntingSpears Unknown Flint rock or bone and used for hunting

and fishingAnimal oil lamps Unknown Lamps that burn on animal fatNeedles 18,000 B.C. Made of bone to produce clothingAgriculture 8000 B.C. Humans planned the growth of plants

and animals for foodBricks 7000 B.C. Building materialsIrrigation 5000 B.C. Humans planned the watering of

agricultural cropsWheel 3500 B.C. Increased human power for agriculture

and transportation of goods

Bronze Age3000 B.C. - 1200 B.C.Development Approximate Date SignificanceWooden ships 3000 B.C. Used for trade and

transportationPyramids 2700 B.C. Remarkable applications

of architecture and mathematics

Improved wheels 2000 B.C. Spokes made wheels lighter, thus easier to transport goods.

Chariots 2000 B.C. Ground transportation and military vehicles

Glass 2000 B.C. Used for jewelry and ornaments

Casting of metals 1400 B.C. Pouring hot metals in a mold to form shapes

Iron Age1200 B.C. - 500 A.D.Development Approximate Date SignificanceAlphabet 1000 B.C. Important for

communication and tradeArabic Numbers 800 B.C. Important for

communication and tradeWater Wheel 700 B.C. Grind grains such as

cornSpinning wheel 500 B.C. Used to make yarn and

thread for clothGreat Wall of China 221 B.C. Built to prevent invasionGlass blowing 100 B.C. Easier to shape glassCalendar 45 B.C. Important for

communication, trade and agriculture

Glass 50 A.D. First used in windowsCement 400 A.D. Used as a building

material

Middle Ages500 A.D. - 1450 A.D.Development Approximate Date SignificanceWindmills 600 Used to pump water for

irrigation and milling grain

Rockets 1232 Used as a militaryGunpowder 1242 First explosive with both

military and building uses

RenaissanceApproximately 1450 A.D -1700 A. D.Development Approximate Date SignificanceLeonardo da Vinci 1452 – 1519 Designed flying

machines, helicopter, machine gun, turbines

Printing press 1454 Improved communication through the mass production of books

Railroad 1500 Used in mining to transport heavy loads

Galileo 1596 – 1610 Heat measurement, laws of gravitation, observed the solar system

Newton 1600s Laws of gravitation, optics, and physics

Industrial Age1700 - 1940Development Approximate Date SignificanceFactory system 1700's Mass production

of productsSteam engine 1769 Changes steam

into mechanical energy to operate machines

Cotton gin 1793 Made cotton a profitable industry

Machine tools 1795 Made it possible to produce precision parts for manufacturing

Erie Canal 1825 Opened shipping routes between the Great Lakes & Atlantic Ocean

Industrial Age (cont.)1700 - 1940Development Approximate Date SignificanceTelegraph 1837 Improved long distance

communicationsTranscontinental 1869 Fast, reliable RailroadRailroad transportation for people

and goodsSuez Canal 1869 Shortened shipping

routes between east and west Africa

Telephone 1877 Improved communications without the use of coded messages

Phonograph 1877 Recording device

Industrial Age (cont.)1700 - 1940Development Approximate Date SignificanceRadio 1895 Long distance

(transatlantic) voice communications

Airplane 1903 Greatly improved long distance transportation of people/goods

Information Age1940 - PresentDevelopment Approximate Date SignificanceTelevision 1923 Fast visual

communicationsComputer 1940s Facilitates the processing

& control capabilities of people

Geodesic dome 1947 Structure of lightweight materials without reinforcing members

Transistor 1948 Smaller and more reliable than vacuum tube

Space exploration 1950s Responsible for countless technological advances through research

Information Age (cont.)1940 - PresentDevelopment Approximate Date SignificanceIntegrated circuit 1959 Contains thousands of

components that are cheap and efficient

Facsimile 1970s Transmits documents over telephone lines

Cellular telephone 1978 Mobile telephone communications

Internet 1984 Individual access to enormous quantities of information

Fiber optics 1980s Fast, frictionless communications through a glass tube

Solar energy Undefined Converting energy from the sun for use in modern energy systems

Nuclear reactors 1980s Alternative sources of energy

Technology and Other Disciplines

Discipline How Technology Relates to the Discipline

Language Arts a) Desktop Publishing

b) Computer support of oral presentations

c) Technical reports

d) Software used for grammar and spell check on word processors

Technology and Other Disciplines

Discipline How Technology Relates to the Discipline

Science a) Science uses technology to help make new discoveries. For example, the Hubbell Space telescope represents electronic, satellite, communication, and transportation technology that scientists have used to learn more about the universe than ever before

b) Genetic engineering of new agricultural products.

c) Development of anti-cancer products.

d) Application of electromagnetism

Technology and Other Disciplines

Discipline How Technology Relates to the Discipline

Mathematics a) Application and use of measurement techniques

b) Use of measurement tools

Technology and Other Disciplines

Discipline How Technology Relates to the Discipline

Social Studies a) Historical Developments

b) Impacts on Society

Technology Assessment

Describes a variety of techniques for determining the effects of the interaction of technology and society.

Process for determining trends

• Collect Information and evaluate Its Quality

• Compare and contrast the information

• Examine relevancy

• Investigate the background of experts

• Synthesize the Information and Draw Conclusions

Process for determining trends

• Takes into account the historical events, global factors, economic factors, risks that can be incurred, and tradeoffs.

• Assessment

• Choose the best course of action

• Forecast possible trend

Two types of Forecasting1. Normative forecasting: helps people determine a path to take in the development of

technology in order to arrive at an ultimate goal. Basically, the path is comprised of a series of subordinate goals to achieve the ultimate goal.

Flow Diagram: is developed from the relevance tree. It shows the steps needed to achieve the ultimate future goal via a path.

Two types of Forecasting

2. Exploratory: helps people look into the future buy using past and present conditions to predict future events and developments. Exploratory forecasting involves identifying trends and extending them into the future.