Technology is a broad term that describes the tools, machines and knowledge that are used to solve real-world problems. It includes both tangible items such as crowbars or wooden spoons, and intangible things such as computer software.

It is a critical part of many scientific disciplines and human activities, and it can be difficult to define what constitutes it. It is a goal-oriented process of designing and making tools, machines and systems to exploit natural phenomena for practical human means.

The development of technology often draws upon many fields of knowledge, including science, engineering, mathematical, linguistic and historical knowledge. The result is a product that has a wide range of applications, from everyday goods and services to space travel and technologically advanced weapons.

Scientists are often the ones who develop new technologies, though some are developed by engineers or people who have a broader understanding of how things work and what kind of results can be expected from them. Regardless of the source, technologies are designed to satisfy specific requirements such as utility, usability and safety.

Technologists also must reason through contingencies, constraints and the specificities of particular situations to determine the most appropriate and desired use of a technology. This can be a challenging task, and it is why the word ‘technology’ is not necessarily neutral.

The word comes from the Indo-European root tek, meaning to weave sticks together. Eventually, ‘technology’ was expanded to include a variety of skills, expertise and even specialized knowledge in various fields such as medicine and chemistry.

Despite the wide usage of technology in daily life, its underlying principles remain obscure. Consequently, there are ongoing debates about how technology affects our lives, and what it can do to the world around us.

It has the ability to create new jobs and eliminate others, but it can also have negative impacts on the environment and society in general. This has led to many discussions about the ethics of technology, and ways to mitigate its negative effects.

In schools, technology helps students learn more efficiently by allowing them to do personal research on their own and share their findings with the rest of the class. This can increase their motivation to learn and make it more fun for them.

Technology has the power to transform learning, but it also poses challenges for teachers. They must be able to incorporate technology into lessons while still engaging students with the content and providing feedback, assistance and support.

The use of technology in the classroom has been growing, and teachers are finding creative ways to make it more useful for students and themselves. For example, using a smart whiteboard allows teachers to draw or write on their screen in different ways and then share those drawings with other students.

Another benefit of technology is that it can allow students to explore a subject through different perspectives. For example, using a virtual reality app allows students to learn about a topic in a way that is not possible through traditional methods.