The Nature of Technology

Everyone recognizes that such things as computers, aircraft, and genetically engineered plants are examples of technology, but for most people, the understanding of technology goes no deeper.

Standard 1

Students will develop an understanding of the characteristics and scope of technology.

Benchmark 1-A

The natural world and human-made world are different.

Benchmark 1-B

All people use tools and techniques to help them do things.

Benchmark 1-C

Things that are found in nature differ from things that are human-made in how they are produced and used.

Benchmark 1-D

Tools, materials, and skills are used to make things and carry out tasks.

Benchmark 1-E

Creative thinking and economic and cultural influences shape technological development.

Benchmark 1-F

New products and systems can be developed to solve problems or to help do things that could not be done without the help of technology.

Benchmark 1-G

The development of technology is a human activity and is the result of individual and collective needs and the ability to be creative.

Benchmark 1-H

Technology is closely linked to creativity, which has resulted in innovation.

Benchmark 1-I

Corporations can often create demand for a product by bringing it onto the market and advertising it.

Benchmark 1-J

The nature and development of technological knowledge and processes are functions of the setting.

Benchmark 1-K

The rate of technological development and diffusion is increasing rapidly.

Benchmark 1-L

Inventions and innovations are the results of specific, goal-directed research.

Benchmark 1-M

Most development of technologies these days is driven by the profit motive and the market.

Standard 2

Students will develop an understanding of the core concepts of technology.

Benchmark 2-A

Some systems are found in nature, and some are made by humans.

Benchmark 2-B

All people use tools and techniques to help them do things.

Benchmark 2-D

Different materials are used in making things

Benchmark 2-E

People plan in order to get things done.

Benchmark 2-F

A subsystem is a system that operates as a part of another system.

Benchmark 2-G

When parts of a system are missing, it may not work as planned.

Benchmark 2-H

Resources are the things needed to get a job done, such as tools and machines, materials, information, energy, people, capital, and time.

Benchmark 2-I

Tools are used to design, make, use, and assess technology.

Benchmark 2-J

Materials have many different properties.