Technology is the application of knowledge for achieving practical goals in a reproducible way. It includes both tangible tools such as utensils or machines and intangible ones like software. Technology is a vital part of scientific and engineering research, but it also plays a critical role in everyday life. It’s hard to imagine a world without computers, smartphones or transportation systems. The technologies we rely on every day have many applications and benefits, but they can also disrupt social hierarchies and cause pollution. Despite these drawbacks, it’s important to understand the role that technology plays in our lives and how it can be used effectively in the classroom.
The different types of technology have specific functions that help streamline business operations and make them more efficient. For example, information technology (IT) encompasses computer hardware and software that helps businesses store, send and retrieve data. It’s also important to note that although most people use technology on a daily basis, it was not always designed for them. It’s important to keep this in mind when creating classroom materials or using certain online tools such as polling tools like Poll Everywhere, Mentimeter and Socrative.
The word “technology” is derived from the Greek term techne, which originally meant woodworking skills but later came to refer to specialized expertise, “know how.” Today, complex manufacturing techniques and organizations have developed to create sophisticated modern technology tools that often require a high level of education and training to develop, build, maintain and use.