Core Concepts of Technology Unit 2

Standards for Technological Literacy I can…. Explain the core concepts of technology. Explain the relationship among technologies. Explain the connection between technology and other fields of study. Explain the use of medical technologies.

Designed World Consists of all the modifications that humans have made to the natural world to satisfy their own needs and wants.

7 Categories of the Designed World Medical technology Agricultural/biotechnology Information and communication technology Transportation Energy and power Manufacturing Construction

Class Discussion: Impact of I&I Briefly discuss with your table partner the impact of the technology that you researched.

Review of Systems Group of interrelated components designed collectively to achieve a goal. Consists of an input, process, output and at times feedback.

Example: Electrical System at House Input – electricity Process-electricity converted to light in the filament Output-light Feedback – no light? Bulb burned out.

Systems work together to make technology work. Common systems are: Mechanical Fluid Electrical Thermal Chemical

Types of Systems Open-loop: has no feedback and requires human intervention Ex. Home stereo system Closed-loop: uses feedback Ex. Electrical timer

Basic Technological Resources Tools and machines Materials Information Energy Capital Time People

Criteria and Constraints Requirements placed on systems and products. Ex. American Electrical Systems – wired to use consumer products that operate on 110-120 volts.

Optimization Making a product, process or system as functional as possible. Ex. House wiring circuit – should consist of an “optimal” number of outlets.

Processes Systematic sequence of actions used to combine resources to produce an output. Ex. Designing – applying creative skills in the development of an invention or innovation. Other processes: maintenance, management and assessment.

Troubleshooting Used when a system fails in order to find the source of the problem and fix it.

Controls The mechanisms or activities that use information to cause a system to change. Ex. Light switch

Components of Transportation Systems Structural Propulsion Suspension Guidance Control Support

Independent Assignment Research and explain the systems and subsystems found in transportation vehicles. Each person at your table will report on one of the following: 1. Car 2. Train 3. Airplane 4. Motorcycle