CHAPTER 3: THE NATURE OF TECHNOLOGY

A. TECHNOLOGY AND SCIENCE K-2
  • Tools are used to do things better or more easily and to do some things...
  • When trying to build something or to get something to work better...

    • 3-5

  • Throughout all of history, people everywhere have invented and used tools...
  • Technology enables scientists and others to observe things that are too small...
  • Measuring instruments can be used to gather accurate information...
  • Technology extends the ability of people to change the world: to cut, shape...

    • 6-8

  • In earlier times, the accumulated information and techniques of each generation...
  • Technology is essential to science for such purposes as access...
  • Engineers, architects, and others who engage in design and technology...

    • 9-12

  • Technological problems often create a demand for new scientific knowledge...
  • Mathematics, creativity, logic, and originality are all needed...
  • Technology usually affects society more directly than science...

    •       B. DESIGN AND SYSTEMS K-2
  • People can use objects and ways of doing things to solve problems.
  • People may not be able to actually make or do everything that they can design.

    • 3-5

  • There is no perfect design. Designs that are best in one respect...
  • Even a good design may fail. Sometimes steps can be taken...
  • The solution to one problem may create other problems.

    • 6-8

  • Design usually requires taking constraints into account...
  • All technologies have effects other than those intended by the design...
  • Almost all control systems have inputs, outputs, and feedback...
  • Systems fail because they have faulty or poorly matched parts...

    • 9-12

  • In designing a device or process, thought should be given to how...
  • The value of any given technology may be different for different groups...
  • Complex systems have layers of controls. Some controls operate particular...
  • Risk analysis is used to minimize the likelihood of unwanted side effects...
  • The more parts and connections a system has, the more ways it can go wrong...
  • To reduce the chance of system failure, performance testing is often conducted...

    •       C. ISSUES IN TECHNOLOGY