Contexts of Technology 3 Contexts of Technology

Recall the major contexts in which technology can be viewed. Summarize the major ages in human history. Give examples of the positive and negative impacts technology has on society. Explain the seven common functional areas of technology. © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.

Technological Contexts Historical Societal Functional © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.

Historical Context Technology Has always been with humans Can always be improved Has gradually developed over time © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.

Stone Age Up to about 3500 BC Inventions were developed without knowledge of science Creativity was used to develop tools from stone Use of fire was mastered © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.

What do you think these stone tools were used for? © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.

Bronze Age About 3500 to 1000 BC Farming was developed People began to settle in villages and cities Metal tools replaced stone ones Building techniques were developed © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.

Iron Age About 1000 to 500 BC Iron became primary toolmaking material Agriculture techniques improved Large buildings and monuments were built Road systems were developed © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.

How does this street compare to today’s streets How does this street compare to today’s streets? What are the reasons for the differences? © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.

Industrial Age About 1750 to late 1900s Demand for craftsmen grew Focus shifted from farming to manufacturing Factories increased rapidly New transportation and communication technologies New power sources Division of labor was introduced © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.

How do you think everyday life changed as society moved into the Industrial Age? © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.

Information Age Late 1900s to present day Rapid changes in technology Computer was developed Information processing and automation became common People started to become very connected to technology © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.

What are some inventions that have contributed to the Information Age What are some inventions that have contributed to the Information Age? How have these changed the way we live? © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.

Societal Context Technology impacts society Society impacts technology Societal need Available resources Value placed on technology © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.

What are some reasons you value technology? © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.

Scope of Society Societies have grown over time Growth is due in large part to technology © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.

Technology and the Individual Technology changes the way we live and view the world Increasing demand for new technology Different views on: Communication Exchange of information Education © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.

How have cell phones and the Internet changed people’s expectations about information? © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.

Technology and Society First World countries Industrialized Have resources and desire for technology Third World countries Technologically delayed Poor in resources and human will © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.

Technology and Society (Cont.) Technology, by itself, is neither good nor bad Depends on how it is used Choices result in desirable or undesirable outcomes © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.

Green Technology Goal is to create new tools and products to meet people’s needs without taxing our environment Focuses on repairing damage already done to environment from creation and use of older technologies © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.

What impacts has globalization had on technological development? © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.

Functional Context Technology is developed for specific uses Common functional areas for technology Agricultural technology Communication and information technology Construction technology Energy and power technology Manufacturing technology Medical technology Transportation technology © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.

Agricultural Technology Planting, growing, and harvesting crops Raising livestock Producing technological products using living organisms Examples: Farming Fishing Biotechnology © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.

Communication and Information Technology Gathering and processing information Sharing ideas Examples: Radios Televisions Computers © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.

Construction Technology Erecting structures Building civil works Examples: Buildings Roadways Power transmission lines © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.

Energy and Power Technology Converting, transmitting, and using energy Providing power, heat, light, and sound Examples: Electricity Heating Water power © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.

Manufacturing Technology Finding and extracting natural resources Converting resources into materials Converting materials into products Examples: Mining Steelmaking Factory work © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.

Medical Technology Promoting health Curing illnesses Studying the human body Examples: Prosthetics Vaccinations Illness prevention © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.

Transportation Technology Moving people Moving cargo Examples: Vehicles Terminals Pipelines © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.

Construction Managers Plan and coordinate construction work Manage people, materials, equipment, budgets, and schedules Work at company office or construction site © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.

Construction Managers (Cont.) Need prior experience as construction workers, supervisors, or owners of contracting firms Need strong background in math, science, computers, building practices, and management © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.

What are the three major contexts in which technology can be viewed? Historical context, societal context, and functional context © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.

Name the major ages in human history, in chronological order. Stone Age, Bronze Age, Iron Age, Industrial Age, and Information Age © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.

What are two negative impacts technology has on society? Possible answers include: The potential for destruction, environmental problems, a decrease in human interactions © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.

Identify the seven common functional areas of technology. Agricultural technology, communication and information technology, construction technology, energy and power technology, manufacturing technology, medical technology, and transportation technology © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.

Agricultural technology Developing and using devices and systems to plant, grow, and harvest crops. This technology also includes raising livestock for food and other useful products. Bronze Age The stage in human history that took place after the Stone Age. Communication and information technology Developing and using devices and systems to gather, process, and share information and ideas. © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.

Construction technology Using systems and processes to erect structures on the sites where the structures will be used. Energy and power technology Developing and using systems and processes to convert, transmit, and use energy. First World country A region that has resources and a desire for technology. © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.

Industrial Age Information Age Iron Age A period in which most Western countries changed from rural to urban, as new machines and sources of power were developed to support the industry of the time. Information Age The period of time in which technology changed rapidly. Iron Age The period from 1000 to 500 BC. © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.

Manufacturing technology Developing and using systems and processes to convert materials into products in a factory. Medical technology Developing and using devices and systems promoting health and curing illnesses. Stone Age The period of time up to 3500 BC, when stones were the main material for making tools. © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.

Transportation technology Third World country A region where technological advancement is slow, due to poor resources and an absence of human will. Transportation technology Developing and using devices and systems to move people and cargo from an origin point to a destination. © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.