Technology is a broad and varied topic. It covers the tools that people use to achieve their goals, from tangible items like utensils or machines to intangible software and data. It also refers to the processes used to develop those tools and their effect on human culture and society.
Developing a new technology is rarely a straight-forward process. It is often a series of steps, each designed to validate and test a specific idea or result. This is one reason that seemingly promising early technologies often stall midway through the development process.
When people hear the word technology they may think of gadgets: mobile phones, computers, big TV’s and HiFi’s, cars and drones or even robotic grass cutters. But there is a far broader and more important definition of the word technology. It is all the ways in which we can use technology to make our lives easier and better.
For example, a modern office would not be possible without the use of technology. It allows employees to focus on more important tasks and reduces the risk of errors resulting from manual procedures.
Education technologies provide teachers and students with many more ways to engage in learning. Using these tools requires thoughtfulness, though, to ensure that they will serve students and support their learning. It is also essential to have clear course goals and outcomes in mind when selecting technology. Fortunately, a variety of campus resources are available to help with this.