Characteristics of Technology Explanatory Paper
Introduction
The purpose of this explanatory paper is to clarify and define the discipline of technology, how it is characterised and described. It presents the component descriptor, the key ideas underpinning it, and illustrative examples of these from technology. This paper also discusses some intuitive ideas students have about this component and suggests possible learning experiences.
Component descriptor
Technology is a purposeful intervention-by-design human activity that results in technological outcomes that impact in the world. Technology provides potential to enhance the capability of humans to transform materials, energy and information. Technology uses and produces technological knowledge. Technological knowledge is aligned to function and validation occurs within technological communities when it is shown to support the successful development of a technological outcome. Technology is historically positioned and inseparable from social and cultural influences and impacts. Contemporary Technological Practices increasingly rely on collaboration between people within the technology community and with people across other disciplines.
