Technology is the application of science and engineering principles in the creation of new products and services. While this is a broad field, the term is typically used to describe a variety of products and services. Some examples of technology include construction technology, which includes the construction of buildings and bridges, inland waterways, dams, sea works, lighthouses, roads, and underground excavations. Other applications of technology include healthcare and military applications, manufacturing, and communications.
When integrating technology into the teaching-learning environment, teachers, and students must be proficient in its use. Technology integration can be a challenging experience, as it can impact virtually every aspect of school operations and much of the content that is taught. The chapter also examines the effectiveness of technology integration in practice, and provides several key questions, indicators, and measures for school leaders to consider.
Technology has a profound effect on everyday life and society. It drives innovation and invention. While it is often seen as something positive, technology can also have a negative impact. For example, it can lead to disasters, which need to be addressed. This is why assessing technology is essential. By understanding how it changes society, it allows us to improve the way we live.
Technology can also provide motivation and direction for research. For example, the theory of conservation of energy was developed in response to a technological challenge: increasing the efficiency of commercial steam engines. Likewise, the development of genetic engineering motivated the mapping of gene locations in the human genome.