Defining technology

Students learn about: Technology as hardware (appliances, gadgets), technology as software (appliances, databases, websites), technology as organisation of knowledge (communications, media, internet, home entertainment)

Students learn to: Describe both primitive and complex technologies

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Defining technology involves referring to the various examples of technology, which includes technology as hardware, technology as software, and technology as organisation of knowledge. Within these, both primitive and complex technologies exist.

Technology can be defined as a study, system, process, program, approach, tool or piece of equipment that is used to solve, create, improve, communicate and develop.

Technology is the application of knowledge, experience and/or tools and resources in response to a human need or want.

From the clip: discuss your feelings, thoughts and issues raised.

Defining technology:

Defining technology involves referring to both primitive and complex examples of technology, which include technology as hardware, technology as software, and technology as organisation of knowledge.

Create your own definition of technology

1_defining technology.pdf

TECHNOLOGY AS HARDWARE:

Hardware includes any tangible tool, piece of equipment or machinery that is used to do or make something. Examples include toys, appliances and gadgets.

Toys are used for children's entertainment and include rocking horses, porcelain dolls and elastics (primitive) and electronic cars, lego technic and Xbox (complex.

Appliances are everyday household goods tha enable families to complete household tasks and include stove top kettle, Hills hoist and hammer (primitive) and automatic kettle, smart dryer and electric drill (complex)

Gadgets are smaller, often handheld practical devices or tools that serve a particular function and include spear, abacus and bell alarm clock (primitive) and air fryer, calculator and Podcast microphone (complex)

Examples of Primitive Hardware

Includes tools for agriculture and household tasks eg the stone axe, spear, oil lamps, kettles
Many primitive technologies were very effective for the needs of the individuals, such as fire, and chariots. These then developed over time into complex technologies such as halogen cooktops and hybrid cars.

Examples of Complex Hardware

Includes automated irrigation systems, machinery for agriculture, robotic and automated equipment for households tasks eg robotic vacuum
Mobile phones, multimedia, webcam
Complex lego kits that are computerized have replaced wooden blocks of yesterday.

TECHNOLOGY AS SOFTWARE

With the rapid advancement of digital technology and computer hardware, the necessity to develop appropriate software has become imperative. Technology as software can include websites, applications and data bases. Software are programs or operating systems running a computer or other devices. Software enables complex hardware to fulfill its function. Complex software must therefore be developed to keep pace with the developments in hardware.

Discuss: What are the advantages and limitations of technology as software?

TECHNOLOGY AS ORGANISATION OF KNOWLEDGE

Technology as organisation of knowledge includes communications, media, internet and home entertainment.

Communication are the ways in which messages are sent or retrieved including Morse code, fires and horns (primitive technology) and Facetime, Zoom and email (complex technology)

Media is the means in which certain messages are sent via form of mass communication including a printing press, gramophone and a wireless (primitive technology) and Podcasts, Audio-book (complex technology)

The internet is a global computer network providing a variety of information and communication facilities, consisting of interconnected networks including packet networking, Merit Network (primitive technology) and Netflix. eBay and Google (complex technology)

Home entertainment includes the devices and equipment used in one's home for leisure and/or recreation including Walkman, cassette player, video tape recorder (primitive technology) and iPad, Nintendo, Xbox (complex technology).

Activity:

Create a table in your books A-Z or use this googly doc
List as many organisation of knowledge technologies you can think of.
Label and colour code them with P= primitive, C= complex

Homework:

List the various examples of technology as organisation of knowledge in your home.

Provide a list of the various examples of technology
What rooms had examples of home entertainment?
How many devices were in the house?
Who owned the devices?
What are examples of primitive and complex technologies in your home?

Exam Prep Questions:

Choose ONE example of technology as hardware to describe both primitive and complex technologies (4)
Describe complex technologies that are examples of technology as software (4)
Describe the technological advancements which have been made in hardware (5) NESA 2017 (answer Tuesday morning)
Describe both primitive and complex technologies in technology as organisation of knowledge (6)

Past HSC Questions

How can complex technologies assist in the organisation of knowledge? (4) 2024

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