What+is+Technology?+Technology+in+Motion+–+Exploring+Technology

**What is Technology?**, Technology in Motion – Exploring Technology: 6th grade

This lesson is used to introduce the concept of technology and its uses alongside science and engineering. It is meant to be an introduction to the class //Exploring Technology// (the class formerly known as Foundations of Technology).

ITEA Technology Engineering Standards . Understanding the cultural, social, economic and political effects of technology. (ITEA/STL - 4) - Understanding of and abilities to select and use manufacturing technologies. (ITEA/STL - 4-E) Issues in Technology - Technology has strongly influenced the course of history and continues to do so. (AAAS - 9)


 * Big idea: Technology is a very broad subject, and humans make decisions to use technology in positive and negative ways.**

Duration: 5 class periods. TSW: Be able to define the following terms: technology, science, engineering. Explain that technology use affects humans in various ways. Explain why technology is neither good nor bad, but decisions about technology use may have undesirable consequences. Give at least three instances where technology has influenced or changed the course of history.

Activities: __**Teacher engage**__: Write the word //technology// on the board (interwrite, if available). Ask students to 'come up' and write an example of technology on the screen, include categories of technology. Share/discuss.


 * __Students ( in groups of two)__**: Go to internet, look up //technology//. Recommended sites listed below. Share/discuss definitions.

The teacher will lead a discussion on desirable and undesirable technology outcomes (ex: nuclear energy positives and negatives, computer use and disposal). __**Student requirements**__: 1. Students (groups of two) definitions of technology, science and engineering. 2. Students (individually) will complete a Technological Encounters sheet (attached below) describing ten technology devices with which they came in contactfrom home to school. 3. Students will (groups of two - same group as above) complete a four screen, < 2 minute Voicethread on a technology use topic which considers how technology products are intended to be used, how they are actually used, and what happens when they are finished being used (disposal, what is supposed to happen versus what really happens) (to be pre-approved by instructor). EX: Batteries, medical supplies, CRT monitors, calculators, phonebooks, cars. - Voicethread (http://voicethread.com/#home): Before commencing tech use/impact project, the teacher will give a brief demonstration on the uses and 'how-tos' of Voicethreads. Instruct each group to email completed project to teacher. - Students should research online and cite at least two reliable sources for information. 4. As a closing activity, students will write a brief response of 3-4 sentences each to three (3) questions as listed in the sheet entitled 'Technological Impacts' attached below.
 * __Teacher__**: Introduce the words science and engineering - discuss what is known about those words. Ask how they relate to technology. Student assignment: look up the words //science// and //engineering// using reliable sources (good time to explain the difference between reliable and unreliable websites).

I**nternet resources for technology and definitions:** http://www.dictionary.com http://www.engineeringk12.org http://pbskids.org/designsquad/ http://scienceonline.org http://www.ce.cmu.edu/GreenDesign/ http://teachengineering.org/index.php


 * Attachments for other assignments:**

Lessons developed from Engineering by Design curriculum aligning new Technology Engineering Standards to STEM Education, 2009.