What is Technology?

Seems Obvious, Right?

Definition“The branch of knowledge dealing with engineering or applied sciences.”

Dictionary.com

What Happened to “Shop”?For many, many years, this class was called “Shop” or “Industrial Arts”. It attracted students who wanted to build things out of wood or metal. Rooms were huge, large tools were required, and students learned skills that could help them get a job working in a factory or small shop.

Introducing….Computers!When computers came into the schools in the 1980s, Typing class became “Computer Applications” and Shop classes….didn’t change.

In the late 1990s, computers were added to shop classes and the shops were half full of computers and half full of tools.

Cough...cough...hack...coughHaving woodworking tools in the same room as expensive computers, scanners, cameras, and printers, was not a good idea. Sawdust filled the room and settled onto (and into) the computers.

In the early 2000s shop classes became “Technology” classes and the larger, messier tools were isolated and/or vented and students began using smaller, hand-held tools.

TECH CENTERThe more traditional skills, such as wood working, metal working, automotive, etc. were moved to specialized centers that were designed for those programs and taught by certified professionals in those industries.

The Dennis Tech Centers offers those programs in Boise.

Why “Technology?”New products and systems can be developed to solve problems or to help do things that could not be done without the help of technology.

Creativity is a large part of the process.

Examples?What worldy problems have been solved with technology?

How does technology HELP you in your life?

Inventions & InnovationsInventions are completely new products that have not been seen before!

Innovations are changes (usually improvements) to existing products.

Inventions & Innovations

List 10 things invented during your lifetime.

List 10 things innovated during your lifetime.

Supply & DemandCompanies can create demand for a product just by offering it for sale and using creative advertising.

Can you think of any products that you bought more because of its image or advertising than what it actually does?

Creations Cause CravingsNew inventions and innovations often create new needs and wants for a society.

Before there was recorded video (DVDs, YouTube, Netflix, Vudu, cable TV, etc.), did people even want to watch videos that weren’t at a movie theater?

Motivation to Innovate● Most technologies are profit

motivated and created with specific goal-directed research.

● Experts in many subjects work together to develop new products and systems.

● Technology often causes the advancement of science and math.

PatentsGood ideas are often protected with a “patent”.A patent is:“A government authority or license conferring a right or title for a set period, especially the sole right to exclude others from making, using, or selling an invention.”

Dictionary.com

The TOP State for Inventions?

● IDAHO!!● 3.96 patented inventions per 1,000

people.● Micron is #1 in the state.● Hewlett Packard is #2.● Individual inventors are #3.

Location, Location, LocationThe need to invent or innovate is largely

dependent upon the SETTING.

Can you think of an invention that came about because of where the people lived?

The Speed of Change

The rate of invention and innovation is increasing rapidly!

Some technological changes are rapid while others are more gradual.

Open Loop SystemThis system is used to create something simple. Because there is no automated feedback, human intervention is required for quality control.

Open Loop Example 3D Printing

Must be watched to catch any errorsduring the “print”.Even then, it can usually only be re-printed.

Closed Loop SystemIncludes methods of monitoring and adjusting.

Closed Loop ExampleModern car factories.

Robots can build, monitor, adjust, and produce nearlyperfect products over and over again, 24/7.

“Optimization”An ongoing process of always trying to make something better for less money.

Good or Bad?Technology, by itself, is not good or bad but can be used for good or bad. There are often ethical, political, economic, and cultural issues involved.

Name one way technology is used for good.

Name one way technology is used for bad/evil.

Technology and This Class!We will solve problems, take on challenges, design things, build things, test things, and break things in this class…

We will use the design process to explore technology and have FUN doing it!

Technology and YOU!Technology affects us in many ways. How does it affect you?

Starting when you wake up on a typical morning, make a list of every technology you use or interact with right up until you go to bed that night.