What Is Technology?

Technology is a broad term that includes any tools or machines created to solve real-world problems. It can range from a simple tool like a crowbar to the complex machinery used in the development of rockets or particle accelerators. It can also include things that are not physical, such as software or business methods.

While individual inventiveness is often essential to technological innovation, social and economic forces strongly influence which technological options will be adopted, paid attention to, and invested in. For example, contour plowing, vaccination, and genetic engineering are all technological innovations that faced public debate and possibly formal regulation before becoming widely adopted.

Many areas of society benefit from the use of technology. For example, digital communication and engaging machines in tasks that would take humans a significant amount of time to complete help save money for both businesses and individuals. However, the risks associated with technology are also considerable. Cyberattacks are common and can result in loss of data that is devastating for companies and individuals alike.

In addition, the ease of access to a large proportion of world knowledge online allows students to learn at their own pace and explore topics that interest them. They can collaborate with teachers and classmates across the globe, even if they are miles apart. This self-directed learning helps students develop the habit of finding alternate ways to work through problems. It also makes them more prepared for jobs in which they will have to use technology, such as a career in IT.