What Is Technology?
Technology refers to the tools and machines that help solve real-world problems. It is broad enough to encompass everything from simple crowbars and wooden spoons to complex computers and particle accelerators. However, the term can also be used to describe non-physical tools, such as language, ritual, values, commerce, and art.
The most commonly understood definition of technology is the use of tools to create things that make people’s lives easier. This can include the development of software, the use of telecommunications systems to exchange information, and the invention of new machines that save time or money by performing tasks that would otherwise take longer or require more human labor.
Although most technological innovations spread or disappear on the basis of free-market forces, there are some that become subject to public debate and formal regulation. Examples include contour plowing, vaccination, genetic engineering, and nuclear power plants.
Every engineering design operates within constraints: physical laws, financial (only so much money is available), social (public opposition), ecological (likely disruption of the natural world), and ethical (disadvantages to some people or risk to subsequent generations). It is the role of scientists, mathematicians, and engineers to look as far ahead and as wide a field as possible in order to estimate benefits, side effects, and risks.
Incorporating technology into your lesson plans is a great way to keep students engaged. However, it is important to remember that technology should be a supplement and not a replacement for traditional teaching methods. It is also important to mix up the types of activities and platforms that your students are using – students tend to get bored if they are doing the same thing week after week.