1. STEMCenter for Teaching & Learning™ Engineering byDesign™
12/01/2009
Foundations of Technology, Third Edition/ Technology, Engineering, and Design
Presentation 3.2.1
© 2011 International Technology and Engineering Educators Association
STEMCenter for Teaching and Learning™
Foundations of Technology, Third Edition/
Technology, Engineering, and Design
© International Technology Education Assoc

2. Open Systems Closed Systems What is a System? Proper Operation
of Systems
Universal
Systems
Model
© 2011 International Technology and Engineering Educators Association
STEMCenter for Teaching and Learning™
Foundations of Technology

3. What is a system? Example
A system is a group of interrelated components designed collectively to achieve a desired goal.
Systems are used in a number of ways in technology and appear in many aspects of daily life, such as solar systems, political systems, and technological systems.
ITEEA standards
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Example

4. Return email stating undeliverable
Information
Message
Tools/
Machines
Modem
Computer
People
Sender of message
Materials
Data
Plastic for computer
Wiring for CPU/Monitor
Production
Typing of message
Sending of data
Management
Server/modem access
Privacy Issues
PROCESS
INPUT
Expected Desired
Person receives
Unexpected Undesired
is sent to wrong person
OUTPUT
answered
not answered
Return stating undeliverable
FEEDBACK
Example of an
System

5. Open Systems
An open-loop system has no feedback path and requires human intervention.
An example of an open-loop system is a microwave oven that requires the person to put in a time to cook the food. There is no feedback to say the food is actually cooked thoroughly when the microwave turns off; the person may have to put in more time, or the food may be overcooked.
INPUT
PROCESS
OUTPUT

6. Closed Systems
A system that uses feedback from the output to control the input.
An example of a closed-loop system is the heating system in a home, which has a thermostat to provide feedback when the heat needs to be turned on and off.
INPUT
PROCESS
OUTPUT
FEEDBACK

7. Universal Systems Model
Every system that exists can be broken down using the universal systems model.
INPUT
PROCESS
OUTPUT
FEEDBACK
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8. Input
Inputs consist of the resources that flow into a technological system. Inputs include:
People
Materials
Tools and/or Machines
Energy
Information
Capital
Time
INPUT
PROCESS
OUTPUT
FEEDBACK

9. Inputs
INPUT
PROCESS
OUTPUT
FEEDBACK
People determine the need, solutions to the problems, and how the inputs will be used to obtain the output.
Information: The people must have background knowledge of math and science to appropriately design solutions to problems and carry out the solutions.
Materials: Natural or man-made materials go into the creation of the output.
Machines and/or Tools are needed to turn raw materials or industrial materials into final solutions.
Energy allows work to be carried out throughout the system.
Capital: the money and land needed to create the output
Time: needed to design, create, and assess the solution
INPUT
PEOPLE
INFORMATION
MATERIALS
MACHINES/
TOOLS
ENERGY
CAPITAL
TIME
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10. Process The process is the systematic sequence of actions that
INPUT
PROCESS
OUTPUT
FEEDBACK
The process is the systematic sequence of actions that
combines resources to produce an output.
Processes can be categorized into:
Problem Solving: process that works through problem identification to select a final solution
Production: process that involves the creation of the product or structure
Management: controlling and managing the inputs and other processes involved in the system
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PROCESS
PROBLEM SOLVING
PRODUCTION
MANAGEMENT

11. Output
INPUT
PROCESS
OUTPUT
FEEDBACK
The output is the end result, which can have either a positive or negative impact. Outputs can take the following forms:
Unexpected Desired
Expected Desired
Unexpected Undesired
Expected Undesired
OUTPUT
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UNEXPECTED DESIRED
EXPECTED DESIRED
UNEXPECTED UNDESIRED
EXPECTED UNDESIRED

12. Feedback Feedback is information used to
INPUT
PROCESS
OUTPUT
FEEDBACK
Feedback is information used to
monitor or control a system. The feedback loop allows the system to make necessary adjustments during operation.
New and frequent users need to execute systems so that they function in the way they were designed to avoid malfunctions or safety issues.
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13. The stability of a technological system is influenced by all of the components in the system, especially those in the feedback loop. Equally important is the proper use of systems.
INPUT
PROCESS
OUTPUT
FEEDBACK

14. New and frequent users need to operate systems so that they function in the way they were designed in order to avoid malfunctions or safety issues. Consider the mobile phone example from the engagement; have you witnessed someone or have you improperly operated a mobile phone? What happened? How could a user error produce an unexpected output?