Introduction to Engineering and Technology Concepts Unit Six Chapter One – Using Technology Products

Instructions for Success: Each chapter of every unit will begin with a “Mindjog.” This is a warm up question that you should answer in your workbook in the proper chapter. Please take notes as you move through the presentations in the notebook that has been provided. Sections will come up in each presentation with an assignment notice. Turn to the section detailed on the slide in your workbook and complete the assignment before proceeding. Good luck!

Objective Students will review the selection and maintenance of artifacts.

Mindjog! On your worksheet, please respond to the following question: “If you played guitar and were in the market for a new one, what are some things you would consider before purchasing?”

In the market… When you go to the store, what do you see? Dozens upon dozens of products for sale that are there for specific uses. Some products help us fulfill basic life functions, like a stove cooking our food. Others are there for entertainment and recreation, like the aforementioned guitar. Choosing the correct product is often a challenge (Wright, 2004).

Three Factors When purchasing technology, think about these important factors: Function – how well will the product meet your needs? How well does it work? Is the product durable and easy to maintain? How well will it do the job you have in mind? Value – Does the performance of the product match its price? Do other products meet your needs as well but cost less? Is it worth the selling price (Wright, 2004) ?

Installation Some technology is ready right out of the box, while other products need installation and/or assembly. The purchaser must complete several tasks to make a product ready for use: Unpack – all products are shipped from the factory in protective crates and boxes. Utilities – some products require utilities in order to work (gas, water, electricity). Positioning – some products need to be secured and/or leveled in one way or another. Adjustment – some products need to be reset before they are used. Tested – to make sure the product is in a working order (Wright, 2004).

Maintaining Technology Having your product work properly when called upon often requires maintenance. Preventive maintenance is designed to prevent breakdowns, such as oil changes. Understand that no technology will work all the time or last forever. Repairing technology is the process of putting a product back into good working order (Wright, 2004).

Repair Repairing technology has three steps: Diagnosis – the cause of the problem is determined. Replace or adjustment – worn or broken parts are replaced. Misaligned parts are adjusted. Testing – the repaired product must be tested to ensure that it works properly (Wright, 2004).

Altering Technology We have discussed how technology becomes obsolete. Sometimes technology’s usefulness can be extended by altering the product. Consider an outdated computer that gets new hardware and software installed – it is suddenly as up to date as one in the store (Wright, 2004).

Disposal Once technology reaches the end of its useful life, the first choice of disposal should be recycling. Recycling can deduce the strain on both resources and landfills. Typically, the following household contains the following materials: Paper/paperboard – 42% Food/Yard Waste – 24% Glass – 9% Metals – 9% Plastics – 7% Other – 9% (Wright, 2004)

Assignment #1 Please turn to the section in your workbook entitled, “Unit Six, Chapter One – Using Technology Products.” Complete the extension questions under the “Assignment #1” header before moving onto the next section of slides.

BEFORE MOVING ON: Did you complete the “Assignment #1” Section under the “Unit Six, Chapter One – Using Technology Products” section of your workbook? If you have, please proceed to the next slide.

Chapter One Completed! Please close this presentation and launch the file entitled, “Chapter 2 – Organizing Technological Enterprises.”

References Wright, R. (2004) “Technology” The Goodheart-Willcox Company, Inc.