Introduction to Engineering and Technology Concepts

Unit One

Chapter Three– Types of Technological Systems

Instructions for Success:

• Each chapter of every unit will begin with a “Mindjog.” This is a warm up question that you should answer in your workbook in the proper chapter.

• Please take notes as you move through the presentations in the notebook that has been provided.

• Sections will come up in each presentation with an assignment notice. Turn to the section detailed on the slide in your workbook and complete the assignment before proceeding.

• Good luck!

Objective

• Students will compare the dynamics of artifacts to those who create, handle, and own them.

Mindjog!

• On your worksheet, please respond to the following question: 

• “Most technologies go through periods of popularity due to how they help humanity. Name a technology that was once popular but is now considered out of date. Was the technology replaced, improved, or phased out. Why?”

Dynamic Technologies

• It has already been stated that technology is dynamic; constantly changing.

• For example, what was once the telegraph has become the cell phone.

• Technology can be said to have three “Levels of Development:”

• Obsolete• Current• Emerging (Wright, 2004)

Obsolete Technologies

• Consider that certain technologies go through a period of evolution.

• Think in terms of the printing press, the typewriter, the computer, and now the laptop. Most people no longer have a typewriter in their homes because it is, for the most part, obsolete.

• While the typewriter might work just fine, it is not efficient enough for humanities’ current needs.

• Obsolete technologies are those that can no longer efficiently meet human needs for products and services (Wright, 2004).

Current Technologies

• Current technologies are the artifacts that you see around you everyday.

• They are currently efficient enough to meet humanity's needs.

• Think about cars, mp3 players, cell phones, microwaves, etc. These are all current.

• Current Technologies include the range of techniques used to produce most of the products and services today (Wright, 2004).

Emerging Technologies

• Emerging Technologies are the new technologies that are not widely employed today (Wright, 2004).

• Emerging Technologies posses of chance of becoming mainstream as time passes.

• There was a time before the internet, the computer, television, and radio. During this time these ideas were considered, “high tech.”

• As needs, desires, and costs changed, these “high tech” artifacts found their way into our everyday lives.

Is ALL Technology for Everyone?!

• Due to the nature of certain technologies, it is impossible to continually give all of the high tech to the general public.

• Think of the expense of a space shuttle mission; it is a government run operation and owning one as if it was a car is currently impossible.

• The economics of technology is governed by either for-profit companies or the government (Wright, 2004).

Technology, Economics, and the Government

• Take the shuttle example from the previous slide as an example of government-driven structure.

• The creation of the shuttle and subsequent missions to space has opened many job opportunities (and interaction with these high technologies) to specific members of the human race who become employed in space and aeronautics.

• Space missions helped with the development of global communication, something that most of us depend on when we use our cell phones (Wright, 2004).

All of this together…

• Consider that most technology that is “high tech” is also high priced and therefore not always available to the overall public.

• As that technology becomes current, the general public can gain ready access to it.

• All technology will undoubtedly become obsolete, becoming overly cheap and undesirable to humanity.

Technology, Economics, and For-Profit

• For-profit companies also help create the structure of technologies that are available.

• The cell phone came about because of shuttle missions and satellite placement. Therefore, this government run space program gave for-profit phone companies the ability to sell their mass communication products to the consumer.

• Originally, cell phones were bulky and expensive.• Like all emerging technologies, however, they eventually

become current and cheaper to produce and available to masses at a better cost.

• And, like all current technologies, cell phones will eventually become obsolete (Wright, 2004).

Employment

• It is worth mentioning that the need and development of technology creates employment, thereby stimulating the economy.

• This is both in the government and for-profit sectors (Wright, 2004).

Assignment #1

• Please turn to the section in your workbook entitled, “Unit 1, Chapter Three–Types of Technological Systems.”

• Complete the extension questions under the “Assignment #1” header before moving onto the next section of slides.

BEFORE MOVING ON:

• Did you complete the “Assignment #1” Section under the “Unit 1, Chapter Three–Types of Technological Systems” section of your workbook?

• If you have, please proceed to the next slide.

Core Technologies

• Technologies can be divided into different types or categories. They are as follows:

• Agriculture and Biotechnology• Communication and Information Technologies• Construction Technologies• Power and Energy Technologies• Manufacturing Technologies• Transportation Technologies• Medical Technologies (Wright, 2004)

Agriculture and Biotechnology

• Agriculture and Biotechnologies are used in growing food and producing natural fibers (Wright, 2004).

• In essence, much of the technology in this area deals with farming and biological sciences.

Communication and Information Technologies

• Communication and Information Technologies are used in processing data into information and in communicating ideas and information (Wright, 2004).

Construction Technologies

• Construction Technologies are used in building structures for housing, business, transportation, and energy transmission (Wright, 2004).

Power and Energy Technologies

• Power and Energy Technologies are used in converting and applying energy to power devices and systems (Wright, 2004).

Manufacturing Technologies

• Manufacturing Technologies are used in converting materials into industrial and consumer parts (Wright, 2004).

Transportation Technologies

• Transportation Technologies are used in moving people and cargo from one place to another (Wright, 2004).

Medical Technologies

• Medical Technologies are used in maintaining health and curing illnesses (Wright, 2004).

These Categories and How They Relate

• Consider that regardless of which category the artifact you are using falls into, it could not exist without the other technological types (Wright, 2004).

• Here is an example: manufacturing a cell phone for communication purposes or converting energy for transportation in the space shuttle.

Assignment #2

• Please turn to the section in your workbook entitled, “Unit 1, Chapter Three–Types of Technological Systems.”

• Complete the extension questions under the “Assignment #2” header before moving onto the next section of slides.

BEFORE MOVING ON:

• Did you complete the “Assignment #2” Section under the “Unit 1, Chapter Three–Types of Technological Systems” section of your workbook?

• If you have, please proceed to the next slide.

Unit One Completed!

• Please close this presentation and launch Unit Two, Chapter One.”

References

• Wright, R. (2004) “Technology” The Goodheart-Willcox Company, Inc.