1. Introduction to Engineering and Technology Concepts
Unit One
Chapter Two– Technology as a System

2. 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!

3. Objective
Students will define the systems model, recognizing that systems-thinking applies logic and creativity.

4. Mindjog!
On your worksheet, please respond to the following question: 
“Pick a piece of technology that you use everyday. Now think of how you could make it better. Write a concrete goal statement, explaining the purpose of your addition and how it benefits the original product.

5. The First Piece of Technology
When considering the development of a piece of technology, one goes through a systematic, iterative, approach.
That is, finding a solution to a problem involves a repeated method that follows procedure.
The problem solving method is one approach to this development process.

6. The System
What is the definition of a “system?”
System – a group of parts working together in a predictable way, designed to achieve a goal (Wright, 2004).
Consider the development of technology in this example: Our ancestors may have wanted to open a coconut for food. When they could not force it open with their bare hands, they began to think of what else could work. Thus began the development of a hammer.

7. The System Components
All technological systems are made up of several components. They include:
Goals
Inputs
Processes
Outputs
Feedback and Control (Wright, 2004)

8. Goals
Technology is invented with a goal, or goals, in mind.
Goal – the desire to meet a need (Wright, 2004).
Also, understand that completed artifacts can accomplish more than one goal.
One person’s goal may be developing a way to get people to and from, while also making money. An automobile accomplishes both of these things (Wright, 2004).

9. Technology systems have at least seven inputs:
Inputs – any resource that go into the system and are used by the system.
Technology systems have at least seven inputs:
People
Materials
Tools and Machines
Energy
Information
Finances
Time (Wright, 2004)

10. Inputs (continued)
Consider that people are the most important input to the system. Without people there would be no technology.
Materials are the substances that make up an artifact.
Tools and machines extend and speed up the development process.
Energy is the ability to do any kind of work.
Information is collected and organized data.
Finances are the monetary support of the economy (Wright, 2004).

11. Processes
All technological systems are characterized by some sort of action.
The steps in these actions are called a process.
Tech systems use three types of processes:
Problem solving, production, and management processes (Wright, 2004).

12. Processes (continued)
The problem solving process is similar to the scientific method and can be broken down into steps:
Identifying a problem
Developing potential solutions
Isolating, refining, and detailing the best solution
Modeling/testing and evaluating the solution
Communicating the final solution (Wright, 2004).

13. Processes (continued)
The production process are the actions that are completed to perform the function of the technological system.
This can be something as basic as a set of instructions to complete a specific task, like building something (Wright, 2004).

14. Processes (continued)
The management process are all of the actions people use to ensure that the production processes operates efficiently and appropriately.
Management uses four basic steps:
Planning – setting goals and different courses of action
Organizing – diving tasks into segments
Actuating – assigning and supervising work
Controlling – comparing system output to the goal (Wright, 2004)

15. Outputs
Outputs can include manufactured products, constructed structures, communicated messages, or transported people or goods.
These are designed outputs.
Consider that there is also an output that is known as scrap.
Scrap can be leftovers waste, pollution, congestion, and so on… (Wright, 2004).

16. Feedback/Control All systems have feedback and control.
This process involves using information gathered from the outputs to regulate the system.
Negative feedback could call for adjustments to the process.
Positive feedback pushes towards meeting the goal that began the technological system (Wright, 2004).

17. The System Model
Consider this graphical representation of a technological system.
Feedback/Control
Input
Process
Outputs
(Wright, 2004)

18. Assignment #1
Please turn to the section in your workbook entitled, “Unit 1, Chapter Two – Technology as a System.”
Complete the extension questions under the “Assignment #1” header before moving onto the next section of slides.

19. BEFORE MOVING ON:
Did you complete the “Assignment #1” Section under the “Unit 1, Chapter Two– Technology as a System” section of your workbook?
If you have, please proceed to the next slide.

20. Unit Two Completed!
Please close this presentation and launch the file entitled, “Chapter 3 – Types of Technological Systems.”

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