Technology is a complex network of means (tools, devices, systems, methods, procedures) and knowledge used to order and transform matter, energy, and information. The term can refer to the tools of a specific field, such as engineering or medical technology, or it may be applied more generally.
Technologist’s Definition
A technologist, as an individual or group of individuals who develops technology, is a person who uses knowledge to creatively apply systems and methods to organised tasks involving people and machines that meet sustainable goals. It is an activity that requires the development of expertise and specialized skills and often a high level of training and education.
Technologist’s Process
Technologists use their knowledge to develop and test the efficiency of different routes and ends to achieve a desired end. It is a complex and iterative process, involving multiple stages of development and testing.
The development of technologies usually proceeds step by step, with each succeeding stage requiring greater understanding and expertise than the last. This process can take years, and sometimes seemingly promising early technologies stall in the middle of their development.
Scale of Technology
As technology scales, it tends to make it easier for people to engage in certain types of behaviors, such as zoning out in front of TVs or spending hours on social media. These behaviors exponentially scale in frequency, causing an ever-increasing number of consequences.
Technology can also be a negative, such as the use of computers to distract students from their studies. If teachers establish rules and procedures for the use of students’ devices, this can help prevent any negative consequences from occurring. It is important for teachers to set up and display these rules in a visible location, so that students can see them.