Introduction to Engineering and Technology Concepts Unit One Chapter One – What is Technology?

Introduction to Engineering and Technology Concepts

Unit One

Chapter One – What is Technology?

Instructions for Success:

• Each chapter of every unit will begin with a “Mindjog.” This is a warm up question that you should answer in your workbook in the proper chapter.

• Please take notes as you move through the presentations in the notebook that has been provided.

• Sections will come up in each presentation with an assignment notice. Turn to the section detailed on the slide in your workbook and complete the assignment before proceeding.

• Good luck!

Objective

• Students will generate definitions for the term “technology” and will develop an understanding of the nature of technology.

Mindjog!

• On your worksheet, please respond to the following question: 

• “In your own words, please define the term technology.”

Definition of Technology

• Consider what you wrote for the “Mindjog’s” answer. Now, have a look at the accepted definition of technology:

• Technology – humans using objects to change the natural and manmade environment (Wright, 2004) .

The Subject of Technology

• It is important to note that technology has heavy roots in natural scientific laws, such as gravity.

• That technology developed in one area of the world and/or point in time was developed because of that group’s needs and wants.

• If that technology is transferred to another group, it can change the culture, society, economics, and politics of said group.

• That technology will go through constant evolutions, but that earlier technology was based on technological know-how, not science itself…as we will see in this first

Chapter (Wright, 2004).

Think about this…

• Some people consider technology to be computers and other high-end products.

• In truth, technology can be anything from the pen in your hand to the computer you are working on.

• All technology has FOUR basic features (Wright, 2004) .

Four Features of Technology

• Technology is human knowledge.

• Technology uses tools, materials, and systems.

• Any application of technology results in artifacts and other outputs.

• Technology is developed by people to modify or control the environment (Wright, 2004).

Other Outputs?

• On the last slide, it was stated that one of the features of technology is the result of other outputs.

• What does this mean?

• First, if artifacts are human-made things, then the other outputs are the leftovers.

• These outputs can include things like pollution and scrap (Wright, 2004).

Dynamics!

• Think about a piece of technology that has changed dramatically over the years.

• Consider video games…they used to be basic dots and squares with beeps and noises; now they are interactive three dimensional worlds with special effects and orchestrated music.

• What does this mean?

Dynamics (continued)!

• It means that technology is constantly changing and evolving.

• This means that technology, by nature, is a dynamic process.

• Technology is changing and it also causes change (Wright, 2004).

Assignment #1

• Please turn to the section in your workbook entitled, “Unit 1, Chapter One – What is Technology?”

• Complete the extension questions under the “Assignment #1” header before moving onto the next section of slides.

BEFORE MOVING ON:

• Did you complete the “Assignment #1” Section under the “Unit 1, Chapter One – What is Technology” section of your workbook?

• If you have, please proceed to the next slide.

Technology’s Evolution

• We have already established that technology is dynamic.

• The earliest piece of technology has been around as long as humanity has walked this Earth – 2.5 million years ago! (Wright, 2004).

• Can you guess what it is?

• The first piece of technology was A ROCK!

Technology’s Evolution (continued)

• How is a rock a piece of technology?

• While not manmade, a rock makes our life easier.

• Technology can also be defined as anything that makes a human’s life easier.

• Our decedents used this early technology for cutting and pounding (Wright, 2004).

The Timeline

• The evolution of technology can be divided up into seven “ages.” They are:

• The Stone Age• The Bronze Age• The Iron Age• The Middle Ages• Renaissance• The Industrial Revolution• The Information Age (Wright, 2004).

The Stone Age

• The earliest period of technology occurred between 1,000,000 and 3,000 B.C.

• Important technologies used and invented during this time include: stone tools, cave paintings, pottery, and fire (Wright, 2004).

• Populations became more productive, meaning that more people could live in a given area (Wright, 2004).

The Bronze Age

• The bronze age lasted 3000 – 1200 B.C.• As populations grew, new technology was

needed to support the masses.• Copper was discovered, melted down with

other ores to produce the strong metal known as bronze.

• Technologies invented include: copper and bronze tools, smelting, frescoes, writing, paper, ink, and irrigation systems for agriculture (Wright, 2004).

The Iron Age

• The Iron Age began in 1200 B.C. and ended in 1300 A.D.

• Iron and steel became the primary source for creating technology, due to its lower cost in comparison to copper and bronze.

• The iron age saw the development of iron tools, furnaces, aqueducts, body armor, ox-drawn plows, spinning wheel, windmill, the alphabet, and coins (Wright, 2004).

The Middle Ages

• The Middle Ages lasted from 500 – 1500 A.D.

• The Middle Ages saw the advent of the printing press, magnetic compass, paper money, and waterwheel (Wright, 2004).

The Renaissance Age

• The Renaissance lasted from 1300 – 1600 A.D.

• This period is known for being a time for advancements in art, literature, history, and other socio-cultural subjects.

• Technologies included the telescope, hydraulic press, and the calculating machine (Wright, 2004).

Industrial Revolution (continued)

• The revolution excelled due to the process of manufacturing:

• Manufacturing sees longer lasting machines due to the use of interchangeable parts.

• Jobs are divided to different workers.

• Machines now bring work to the workers.

• The emergence of “management.”• (Wright, 2004)

The Information Age

• The Information Age is happening all around us.

• The technologies include the desktop computer, robots, solar energy, cell research, satellites, and lasers.

• (Wright, 2004)

Information Age (continued)

• This period has several characteristics:

• Wide use of automated machines and information-processing equipment.

• High demand for trained positions.

• The line between management and workers becomes blurred.

• There is constant, job-related training for improving and keeping workers.

(Wright, 2004)

What Age is Next?!

• Be assured that our current technologies will be improved upon.

• This will bring about a whole new age!

Assignment #2

• Please turn to the section in your workbook entitled, “Unit 1, Chapter One – What is Technology?”

• Complete the extension questions under the “Assignment #2” header before moving onto the next section of slides.

BEFORE MOVING ON:

• Did you complete the “Assignment #2” Section under the “Unit 1, Chapter One – What is Technology” section of your workbook?

• If you have, please proceed to the next slide.

Chapter One Completed!

• Please close this presentation and launch the file entitled, “Chapter 2 – Technology as a System.”

References

• Wright, R. (2004) “Technology” The Goodheart-Willcox Company, Inc.