Defining Technology

There are 3 categories of technology that we will be studying:

Technology as hardware

Technology as software

Technology as organisation of knowledge

All types of technology have significantly advanced from primitive to complex overtime.

Primitive Technology: 

Tools and methods that were used traditionally and historically to solve problems and enhance human control over the natural and man made environments. 

Complex Technology: 

Sophisticated and technological designs to assist humans to solve problems and to improve their condition in both the natural and made environment. They usually have more than one component.

• The development of technological hardware has served to release many people from strenuous or tedious work.

• Many home appliances are promoted as ‘labour-saving’ devices.

• The latest appliances, gadgets & toys generally solve problems that existed in former models.

• Software controls the tasks performed by the computer (e.g. databases, websites, applications).

• It allows users to manage music files, edit photos, engage in real-time chat with people across the world, make purchases online, etc.

• A home security system that allows a home owner to visually check on their property shows how software can play a significant role in ensuring security and wellbeing of individuals.

• Modern media receives and disseminates info really fast - giving us better access to ideas; allowing us to formulate opinions, gain knowledge & be entertained.

• Encyclopedias used to carry all the knowledge on a range of things (organised in alphabetical order) in approximately 20 large books. 

• Now, the internet exists, and as of February 2023, there are 1.13 BILLION websites online (Forbes, 2023)

• 93% of global internet traffic is driven by Google, making it the dominant search engine in the world. (Forbes, 2023)

Do you think technology advancements can go too far?

• Refers to the advancement of technology from analogue electronic/mechanical devices to digital technology.

• Started during the 1980’s and is ongoing.

• The development & advancement of digital technologies started with the World Wide Web in1989 and then expanded quickly - by 1996 the internet was part of mass culture and many businesses had websites. 

• As technology became more user-orientated and user-friendly, individuals at all levels have become more digitally literate and have started using technology in new ways and in an ever-increasing number of areas of their lives 

• These developments have led to an enormous amount of data being created in the digital space and, in parallel, the ability to store it has also grown exponentially, propelling today’s society into the information age. 

The information age is characterized by the ability of individuals to transfer information freely, and access knowledge instantly. This is something that was previously difficult or impossible. The information age has allowed rapid global communications and networking which has shaped modern society. The information age has seen change in the following areas:

• Jobs and income distribution - 71% percent of businesses now have a website in 2023. This has increased since the Covid-19 pandemic . (Forbes 2023)

• Productivity - 28% of all business activity is now conducted online (Forbes 2023)

• Job Loss

• Personal data security - 5% of internet users stated they had experienced abuse of personal information and 9% of internet users stated they had experienced damage or loss caused by a virus or other computer infection. (ABS 2018)

Based on your statistics, how do you think the nature and use of technology has changed overtime?

1. Describe both primitive and complex technologies. (3 Marks)

2. Outline how the nature and use of information and communication technology has evolved overtime. (6 Marks)