The term technology is tossed around quite freely, and in many contexts it is simply a shorthand for “any device or process that improves the means of accomplishing an end.” It is an umbrella term for tools, machines, equipment, processes, techniques and raw materials. In other words, it is the totality of human knowledge about how to combine resources for desired outcomes. It encompasses both the physical and virtual worlds and is applicable to every field of human endeavor.
When it comes to the classroom, technology allows students to gain an education that is more up-to-date and interactive than ever before. Educators are using electronic teaching methods like PowerPoint presentations, online quizzes and test-taking platforms, eReaders, online videos, and even social media to help students learn more efficiently and effectively. It also allows them to save up on expensive educational materials and supplies, and reduce environmental damage by using e-learning platforms.
Moreover, technology helps students become more independent learners because of the easy availability of resources on the Internet. This enables them to research topics, prepare lessons and assignments on their own, and take tests without the help of teachers or tutors. It also lets them share their work with others easily via email or cloud storage systems. It makes it easier for them to access a large variety of learning resources from the web, which include scientific articles and journals, educational videos, online tutorials and guides, informational websites, and blogs of educators/authors.
In fact, a study by the Economist Intelligence Unit found that most students feel more imaginative and creative than before due to the use of technology in their studies. Students are also able to work on projects with their classmates from all over the world. Technology in the classroom has also helped prepare students for technical working environments.
The technology that is presently in use and available to us is the result of countless years of development. It is hard to pin down what exactly it takes to make an invention technological, but the prevailing view is that the technology results from applying scientific knowledge to the practical aims of human life. The development of a particular technology is usually a step-by-step process, and each successive phase validates the underlying ideas and testifies to their viability.
In other words, making technology involves deliberating about what kind of future we wish to live in, and then selecting a set of technologies that can actually make that happen. It differs from science in that science focuses on necessity and universality, while technology tries to accommodate contingencies, constraints, and specificities. It is at this critical juncture that individual inventiveness and foresight plays an essential part. However, the choices that are made here also depend on societal values, economic competition, and regulation. These factors may determine whether or when a particular technology spreads and is embraced. Moreover, they may also decide how widely the technology is used and for what purposes.