What Is Technology

What Is Technology – Meaning of Technology and Its Use

What Is Technology? Technology is a body of knowledge devoted to creating tools, processing actions and extracting of  materials. The term ‘Technology” is wide and everyone has their own way of understanding the meaning of technology. We use technology to accomplish various tasks in our daily lives, in brief; we can describe technology as products, processes or organizations. We use technology to extend our abilities, and that makes people as the most important part of any technological system.

Technology is also an application of science to solve a problem. But what you have to know is that technology and science are different subjects which work hand-in-hand to accomplish a specific task or solve a particular problem.

We apply technology in almost everything we do in our lives, we use technology at work, we use it to , extract materials , we use technology for communication, transportation, learning, manufacturing, creating artifacts, securing data, scaling businesses and so much more.  Technology is human knowledge which involves tools, materials and systems. The application of technology results in artifacts or products. If technology is well applied, it can benefit humans, but if it is wrongly applied, it can cause harm to human beings.

Many businesses are using technology to stay competitive, they create new products and services using technology, and they also use technology to deliver those products and services to their customers on time. A good example is, mobile phones companies like Apple & Samsung, these two electronics companies, use high end technology to create new smartphones and other electronic devices to stay competitive. This competitive edge is gained through employing advanced technology.

Let’s take a simple example on how people use technology on a daily basis,

See figure (1) below:


     ADVANCING TECHNOLOGY:

Technology is dynamic; it keeps on improving because even our needs and demands for technology keep on changing.  We have moved from the industrial age (industrial revolution)to an information age. During the industrial age, companies with large sums of capital had the potential of employing expensive technological tools to gain competitive advantage; small businesses had less potential because they could not afford expensive manufacturing or processing technological tools. But, the advancement in technology has created a new economic environment which depends on information and that is what I call ‘’INFORMATION AGE’’, the information age provides a different work environment and this has helped small businesses gain position in highly competitive markets.

Let’s take a simple example and see how technology has advanced;

See figure (2) below;

1. 3.    TYPES AND EXAMPLES OF TECHNOLOGY:

We use technology to accomplish various tasks, so technology comes in different types, below I have listed some of the different types of technology we use on a daily basis and on each type of technology I have included an example of that particular technology.

• Communication Technology:  

Let your iPhone control your power point presentations. This KUDOS presenter uses audio connector to communicate. So you can improve the way you make power point presentation using your iPhone with this KUDOS technology. 

• Construction Technology: 

It works as an air compressor and a nail gun at the same time. Buy it from AMAZON.COM

• Assistive Technology: 

Off road wheelchair:

Image from: www.wheelchairdriver.com

This off road wheelchair can assist people with disabilities to move comfortably.

• Medical Technology: 

TAP 20™ for Point-of-Care Testing – SeventhSense

Image from: www.7sbio.com

This Point-of-Care Testing can help doctors obtain patient’s blood without diagnosis. It comes with so many advantages which include:

– It’s painless for the patient.

-It keeps the blood sample until used for testing

• Information Technology:  

Transporter:

This IT based technological tool will enable you share, access and protect files. Transporter is an online, off-cloud storage solution which supports private sharing of valuable files. Unlike cloud storage facilities like Dropbox.com & Box.com, this device is private and it can allow you to store your files remotely and share them with your employees or partners. To use the device remotely, you will have to create a free online account, create shared documents, and much more, the only difference with Dropbox.com, is that the files are stored on this device, so the all cloud service is brought to your office or home. 

• Entertainment Technology: 

 gTar:

For those who want to play a guitar but you have always found it difficult, you can opt for this engineered guitar. The gTar can be played by anyone , it is an electrical guitar which comes a free gTar app which has test songs that you can start playing right away. 

• Business Technology: 

3D Printer – Created by formlabs

This is an affordable 3D printer which can help designers create advanced 3D objects. It’s size and design is good, so it can fit well on your office desk. With this 3D printer, you can create as many 3D models as you want. Use its software to generate thin, breakable support structures.

Educational Technology:

Markup:

Teachers you can try this Paperless grading application for iPad. If you want to have a paperless classroom and your students have access to iPads, then this technology will be of great use to you and your students. Markup has completely changed the way teachers mark test and exam papers, students can submit electronic papers to be marked by their teachers electronically, this saves time and resources on both sides.



    WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TECHNOLOGY AND SCIENCE?

Technology is not applied science, both technology and science are closely related but they are different in so many ways. Technology develops and explains the human-made world; it involves development, processing and management;

While

Science explains the natural world; science refers to systematic methodology which is used to gather accurate information about the shared reality. During the process of gathering this information, technological tools are used. For example, microscopes are biological tools which can be used to study specific facts about anything with life.

Scientific knowledge is gathered from detached observations. Scientists can use this gathered information using technological tools to explain why certain things happen and this all process can be described as research.

As humans, we use both technology and science together, that is why we confuse these two to be the same. Science is knowledge of the natural world while technology is human-made world determined by processing, development and management.

For you to understand the difference between science and technology, see example in figure (3)below:

Figure (3)

Look closely at image (a), it shows you a volcanic mountain erupting, this is a natural state of our world, and it is only science which explains how this volcanic activity happens basing on extensive research and data gathered by scientist. In image (b) , we see a scientist using a microscope to make research and gather data. A microscope is human-made technology designed to help scientists make research. So that means that both concepts work hand in hand, but they are completely different. Humans have developed various technological tools to help us solve problems during our daily lives, but also this technology can affect the natural setup of our environment if applied wrongly.


   ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF TECHNOLOGY?

Technology is good because it simplifies the way we do things in our daily lives, however, if technology is wrongly applied, it can be harmful in so many ways. Technology is developed by humans, so we can use it to accomplish almost every task; it makes the impossible look possible.  However, for you to understand the advantage and disadvantage of technology today, we can use an example in figure (4) below:

Figure (4)

As you can see in the photo above, if technology is well implemented it can be of great use to humanity, but it can also cause harm. Below I have detailed points on the advantage and disadvantage of technology in business, classroom or education.

Advantages of Technology in Business:

• Increases production: Technology helps businesses automate most tasks and this process results into increased production and efficiency. Business can automate tasks in the accounting department by using accounting software like QuickBooks. Bakeries can automate the temperature room by using temperature sensors to detect a drop or an increase in temperature.
• Technology Helps small business gain competitive advantage: If business technology is well implemented, it can help a small business gain position in a competitive market. Some of the ways small businesses use technology to scale out and gain a good position in the market are; improving customer care services through internet technologies like social networks  and electronic mail, creating new products and services tailored basing on customers needs and wants
• Saves time: Since most of the activities in the business are automated, time is saved during the process. Computers can be used to perform various business tasks, for example a computer can be used to record data, it can be used in video conferencing, and much more.
• Technology accelerates innovation: The only way small businesses can succeed in today’s competitive world is by using technology to create new products or services. Small businesses can use internet technology to collect information about targeted consumers, so that they understand their needs and wants, this information can be used when tailoring new products or services.
• It improves sharing of information: Many businesses use internal networks to facilitate the flow of information with in the organization. This internal network can help in the transfer of information among different departments at work. Also employees can share different technologies like printers, fax machines and internet via an internal network.  This easy flow of information also improves on the speed at which decisions are made in a business.
• It improves on data storage: It is very important to keep business data secure, because a disaster can strike your business and you lose all important information.  The use of databases and remote storage facilities helps in keeping business information and data secure and accessible from anywhere.
• Technology simplifies business communication: Every business survives on communication; you need to communicate with your suppliers, business partners and employees, so technology will make this all process simple. Many businesses use communication technologies like mobile phones, video conferencing applications likeSKYPE, text messaging services and electronic mail to exchange important business information.

Disadvantages of Technology in Business:

• It’s expensive: Technology comes at a price, not every small business can manage to use technology. After buying and integrating technology in business, you will have to pay another cost of maintaining that technology, monthly maintenance is recommended and this can be expensive.
• Not Safe: Technology is not safe; it is very easy to lose business data through internet technology. Hackers can easily access your remote database and use your business data for their own personal needs.
• Disconnectedness: Over-dependence on technology has killed workplace relationships, employees and business managers communicate through email, phones, text messages and video conferences, this kills face-face communication.  Also most tasks are being automated, so you find that employees have less involvement in the final product which leads to dissatisfaction and workplace boredom.

Advantages of Technology in the Classroom:

• Technology Promotes individual learning: Students can use their ipads and internet to make personal research online and educate them selves. When a student is in control of what they learn, they will have no fear of making mistakes and this will encourage them to explore more about a specific subject. Many teachers are allowing students to carry out personal research on specific subjects; the results can be shared with other students or the entire classroom via a smart white board.
• It Promotes Students engagement in classroom: Since educational technologies like digital white boards are interactive, teachers can give students a chance to teach their fellow students using this interactive white board. Also the integration of Gamification technologies keeps students entertained and attentive while in the classroom, because games remove that boring atmosphere in the classroom.  Students can learn subjects like Math and English through playing games.
• Technology Helps students learn how to write and spell: The use of computers to take notes in the classroom has helped so many students learn how to write well composed essays. Computers have word applications and built-in dictionaries which will auto-correct grammar mistakes while students are taking notes in the classroom. Also teachers are encouraging students to create personal blogs so that they can practice and improve on their writing and spelling skills.
• Technology Encourages group learning: The use of group sharing technologies likePiazza.com / Snagit / NoodleTools.com has helped shy students join discussion groups in the classroom without exposing their identities. Group discussions help students ask questions and learn more about a specific subject. Group discussions tend to create a strong relationship among students in the classroom and they also help shy students learn how to socialize with others in the classroom.
• It prepares students for technical working environments: Students are taught how to use computers and various technological tools which can be of great benefit when they complete school and start applying for jobs. As the world keeps on advancing, all jobs of the future will require applicants to have some technical skills. So the use of technology in the classroom prepares students for tomorrow’s technical working conditions.
• Technology encourages risk taking due to the challenges it presents: Technology is challenging to learn and it presents students with puzzles to solve. During this process of solving academic puzzles, student’s brains become sharp and they tend to get interest in taking more risks. Life is about taking risks, so if our students learn how to take risks while in the classroom, then it will be easier for them to take more calculated risks after school.
• Technology provides assistance to students with disabilities: Assistive educational technology like iPads, Robots, Games can help students with diseases like Autism learn how to speak and write.  Also deaf students can easily communication using mobile text messaging in the classroom and this can increase their engagement in the classroom.
• Technology bridges the gap between teachers and students: Teachers and students are using advanced educational technologies to connect more than before. New mobile text messaging technologies like www.remind101.com ,can be used by teachers to remind their students about research work, remind them to prepare for a test or exam
• Technology simplifies teachers work: Teachers have found creative ways of making their work easier by using technology in the classroom. For example, a teacher does not need to go through the hassle of marking thousands of exam / test papers, now we have a new iPad application ‘’Markup’’  which turns all students exams into electrical papers and teachers can mark these exam papers with an iPad. This creates a paperless classroom, because most students can afford computers, so exams are assigned to students electronically.

Disadvantages of Technology in the Classroom:

• Distraction in the classroom: Students love to use technology in the classroom but it tends to distract them, for example, the use of mobile phones to study in the classroom, distracts some students. Most of these smartphones have social applications like twitter, facebook,Youtube and Pinterest; students tend to use these social applications on their smartphones for entertainment purposes while in the classroom.
• It is expensive:  Schools with small budgets can not afford to integrate technology in their classrooms. Also parents with limited income can not afford to buy laptops or iPads for their children. So not every school or student will be in position to use technology in the classroom.  Then for schools which have managed to integrate technology in their classrooms, find trouble when it comes to maintaining these educational technologies.
• Requires Training: Both teachers and students need extra training on how to use various educational technologies, this can cost both time and money.
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•   HOW TO SOLVE PROBLEMS USING TECHNOLOGY?

Technology is designed with a purpose of solving problems; it has to meet human needs and wants. We use technology in so many ways; at least everyone uses technology in one-way or another. A problem exists when we encounter difficulty; problem solving is a human behavior, though our approach varies from person-to-person. During the process of solving a problem, the following is taken into consideration;

• Develop an understanding of the problem through observation.
• Devise a plan for solving that problem.
• Implementing the plan.
• Evaluating the plan.
• Technology will be used in all those four stages of problem solving, however, for you to easily understand how to solve problems using technology, see example in figure (5) below.

Figure (5)

Look closely at the photo above, on the left we see the problem is traffic jam in the city and on the right, you can see that one of the solutions of solving this traffic jam is by using high speed electronic trains. The problem was identified and technology was used to plan the solution and implement that solution in the city. The use of high speed electronic trains has reduced traffic jam in big cities like Newyork. Below I have listed four basic phases you need to know about when solving problems with technology.

• Identifying a technological problem: During this stage, you will need to define the problem by explaining the situation that needs a technological solution, and establishing the criteria that technological system or device has to meet.  Then you have to gather information needed to begin developing solutions for the problem or situation.
• Developing a solution: During this phase, you will need to develop possible solutions that can solve a given problem. You will test more than one solution, until you refine the best solution to solve that problem permanently and meet the opportunity.
• Evaluating the solution: At this stage, you will be modeling the best solution through testing and evaluating all proposed solutions by use of graphics, statistics and mathematical modeling techniques. For you to select the best technological solution, you will need to compare the design solutions in terms of economic, market, technical, production and environmental criteria to determine the best solution to that particular problem.
• Communicating the solution: Now that you have evaluated all solutions, it is time to communicate the final solution to your team through graphical drawings, reports and mathematical means. If you agree with your team, you can now go ahead and present the solution for approval from the management or government.

In conclusion, judging from the 4 steps of solving a problem using technology, you will see that the technology we are using started with an idea of solving a problem or meeting an opportunity. A person or a group of people saw the problem or the opportunity and they designed solutions of meeting that problem or opportunity. Today we have various technologies which where designed to solve simple problems, for example, social networks like Facebook.com, twitter.com have solved communication and social interaction problem.

As I conclude this chapter of ‘’WHAT IS TECHNOLOGY?’’ , let me guess that you deeply understand the meaning of technology, types of technology being used today, the advantages and disadvantages of technology and how you can use technology to solve daily problems or meet opportunities

Posted by: Karehka Ramey in Techucation