What is Technology?

Technology

Technology is the process by which humans modify nature to meet their needs and wants.

Technology vs. Science• Technology

– Study of our human-made world

– Deals with “what can be”

• Science– Study of our natural

world– Deals with “what is”

Technology vs. Science continued• Technology

– Made up of sub-categories:

• Information• Communication• Bio-related and

Agriculture• Medical• Environmental• Production

– Manufacturing– Construction

• Transportation• Energy and Power

• Science• Made up of sub-

categories: • Earth Science• Biology• Chemistry• Physics• Astronomy• Other specialty areas

– Quantum Physics

– Computer Science

Needs vs. Wants

• Technology addresses human needs and wants• What are human needs?

PHYSICALNEEDS:

• Basic shelter

• Basic clothing

• Can you think of more?

BIOLOGICAL NEEDS:

• Water

• Food

• Can you think of more?

PSYCHOLOGICAL NEEDS:

• Family

• Friends

• Can you think of more?

Needs vs. Wants continued

• Technology addresses human needs and wants• What are human wants?

PHYSICALWANTS:

• Nice house

• Nice car

• Nice clothes

• Can you think of more?

BIOLOGICAL WANTS:

• Fresh water

• Fancy food

• Healthy living

• Can you think of more?

PSYCHOLOGICAL WANTS:

• Talk with family

• See friends

• Entertainment

• Can you think of more?

How does Technology address human needs and wants?

Information

Communication

Bio-Related andAgricultural

- Manufacturing

- Construction

Transportation

Technology

Production

Energy and Power

Medical

Environmental

Through the use of these technologies, often the meeting of human needs and wants is accomplished.

Information TechnologyInformation Technology is the process of

gathering and storing data to be used in various forms: It has:– Streamlined access to vast sources of

information – Allows us to produce more accurate forms of

communication– Expanded resource choices– Enabled us to retrieve data in seconds

Examples of Information Technology

• Data collected on paper

• Data stored in computers

• Data stored in books• Data stored in

equipment or machines

Impacts of Information Technology

POSITIVE IMPACTS

NEGATIVE IMPACTS

COMPUTERS – use of a computer to gather data easily and store

INTERNET – using to store information for easy access

OBSCELENCE – machines need to be maintained and upgraded INTERNET – information is not always accurate or reliable

Communication Technology

Communication Technology is a process of giving or exchanging information.

It has:– Streamlined publishing techniques and allows

us to produce more accurate drawings– Expanded entertainment choices– Enabled us to contact people thousands of

miles away

Examples of Communication Technology

• Cell Phones• Computer Aided Drafting• Video Cassette

Recordings• Internet• Radio• Television• Graphic Arts

Impacts of Communication Technology

POSITIVE IMPACTS

NEGATIVE IMPACTS

CAD – using a computer to generate drawings

INTERNET – a means of communicating quickly and inexpensively over long distances

PAPER USAGE – people tend to create and print more documents INTERNET – people tend to misuse the internet for personal gain

Bio-related and Agricultural Technology

• Biotechnology is the application of the principles of biology to create commercial products or processes.

• Agricultural Technology is the application of processes that make it possible for food to be available year-round and to conserve resources.

• Both deal with living things – Plants– Animals– People

Examples of Bio-Related and Agricultural Technology

Bio-related Technology• Pharmaceuticals• Artificial limbs• Genetic engineering• Hydroponics• Imaging devices• Cardiovascular devices• Ethics

Agriculture • Food, Fiber, and Fuel• Plant growth• Machines• Production of ag

products• Transportation of ag

products• Storage of ag products

Impacts of Bio-Related and Agricultural Technology

POSITIVE IMPACTS NEGATIVE IMPACTS

HEALTH – improves quality of life

HEALTH – Drugs may cause birth defects

ENVIRONMENTAL – can produce more food per acre than before

ENVIRONMENTAL – Chemicals have found their way into ground water, polluting good drinking water

Medical Technology

Medical Technology is the study of medicine through the use of and advances of technology, such as medical instruments and apparatus, imaging systems in medicine, and mammography.

Related terms: Bio-medical Engineering

Medical Innovations.

Examples of Medical Technology

• Medical instruments and apparatus

• Vaccine

• Pharmaceuticals

• Artificial limbs

• Imagining equipment

• Ergonomics – the study of designing equipment to fit the human body, its movement & thinking patterns

Impacts of Medical Technology

POSITIVE IMPACTS NEGATIVE IMPACTS

HEALTH – improves quality of life

HEALTH – use of technology may hinder life span

DISEASE – research on controlling diseases and their spread is shortened

DISEASE – not all cultures embrace use of vaccines and thus disease spreads

Environmental Technology

Environmental Technology is study of the processes to control waste, soil erosion, reducing sediment in waterways, conserving water, and improving water quality, artificial ecosystems, and the effects of technology on the development of flora and fauna.

Examples of Environmental Technology

• Conservation • Synthetic energy• Waste management

Impacts of Environmental Technology

POSITIVE IMPACTS NEGATIVE IMPACTS

EARTH – improves quality of life

EARTH – use of technology may hinder life span of the planet

DISEASE – reduces chance of disease from bad air and chemicals

DISEASE – economical forces the need to make choices that are not easily made

Production TechnologyProduction Technology is the

manufacturing of physical goods on an assembly line and the construction of structures on a job site.

Manufacturing• Manufacturing is the process of changing

materials into usable products• Natural (found in nature) or• Synthetic (human-made)

– Most takes place in factories on assembly lines

– Results in items that are either consumer products (used up) or industrial products (used to make other products)

Examples of Manufacturing Technology

• Clothing• Entertainment

devices• Automobiles• Chemical products• Lumber• Steel• Food

Construction TechnologyConstruction Technology is the study

of the processes to

– Build a structure – made by joining parts to meet a certain need.

• Involves building a foundation, erecting the super structure, and finishing work.

– Support the load – external force on an object.

– Control the quality of construction using control systems.

Examples of Construction Technology

• Human-made structure:– Houses– High-rise buildings– Bridges– Roads– Dams– Schools

Impacts of Production TechnologyPOSITIVE IMPACTS NEGATIVE IMPACTS

MANUFACTURING – new products help to make our life easier and increase leisure time.

MANUFACTURING – many industries use materials that can harm the environment.

CONSTRUCTION – provides shelter, improves roads, creates employment opportunities.

CONSTRUCTION – noise and debris, traffic problems, accidents & injuries

Transportation Technology

Transportation Technology is the process by which people, animals, products, and materials are moved from one place to the next.

– Flight– Land Transportation– Water Transportation– Goods Transportation

Examples of Transportation Technology

• Air– Airplane– Rocket– Space Shuttle– Helicopter

• Water– Commercial ships– Cruise Ships– Utility vessels

• Land– Train– Subway– Automobile– Bicycle

• Goods– Conveyor Belts– Robots– Trucks

Impacts of Transportation Technology

POSITIVE IMPACTS NEGATIVE IMPACTS

Commuting is easier;

Traveling long distances faster

Pollution

Accidents

Use of energy

Energy and Power Technology

• Energy is the ability to do work.• Power is the rate at which energy is

transformed from one form to another or as the rate at which work can be done.

• Technological products and systems need energy to function.

• The availability of energy often determines the development of technology.

Examples of Energy and Power Technology

• Chemical Energy– Gasoline

• Mechanical Energy– Motion

• Thermal Energy– Steam

Power Measurement Examples:

• Horsepower• Kilowatt

• Electrical Energy– Electricity

• Radiant Energy– Light

Power System Examples:• Turbines• Portable generators

Impacts of Energy and Power Technology

POSITIVE IMPACTS NEGATIVE IMPACTS

Without energy and power, most technologies would not exist or work.

The overuse of natural resources is a concern of many people.