Introduction to Engineering and Technology Concepts

Unit One

Chapter Two– Technology as a System

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!

Objective

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

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.

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.

The System

• What is the definition of a “system?”

• SystemSystem – 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.

The System Components

• All technological systems are made up of several components. They include:

• Goals

• Inputs

• Processes

• Outputs• Feedback and Control (Wright, 2004)

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).

Inputs

• InputsInputs – 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)

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).

Processes

• All technological systems are characterized by some sort of action.

• The steps in these actions are called a process.process.

• Tech systems use three types of Tech systems use three types of processes:processes:

• Problem solving, production, and Problem solving, production, and management processes management processes (Wright, 2004).(Wright, 2004).

Processes (continued)

• The The problem solving process is similar to the is similar to the scientific method and can be broken down into scientific method and can be broken down into steps:steps:

• Identifying a problemIdentifying a problem• Developing potential solutions Developing potential solutions • Isolating, refining, and detailing the best Isolating, refining, and detailing the best

solutionsolution• Modeling/testing and evaluating the solutionModeling/testing and evaluating the solution• Communicating the final solution Communicating the final solution (Wright, 2004).(Wright, 2004).

Processes (continued)

• The The production process are the actions that are the actions that are completed to perform the function of the are completed to perform the function of the technological system.technological system.

• This can be something as basic as a set of This can be something as basic as a set of instructions to complete a specific task, like instructions to complete a specific task, like building something building something (Wright, 2004)(Wright, 2004)..

Processes (continued)

• The The management process are all of the actions are all of the actions people use to ensure that the production people use to ensure that the production processes operates efficiently and appropriately.processes operates efficiently and appropriately.

• Management uses four basic steps:Management uses four basic steps:• Planning – setting goals and different courses of Planning – setting goals and different courses of

actionaction• Organizing – diving tasks into segmentsOrganizing – diving tasks into segments• Actuating – assigning and supervising workActuating – assigning and supervising work• Controlling – comparing system output to the goal Controlling – comparing system output to the goal

(Wright, 2004)(Wright, 2004)

Outputs

• OutputsOutputs can include manufactured products, can include manufactured products, constructed structures, communicated constructed structures, communicated messages, or transported people or goods. messages, or transported people or goods.

• These are designed outputs.These are designed outputs.• Consider that there is also an output that is Consider that there is also an output that is

known as scrap.known as scrap.• Scrap can be leftovers waste, pollution, Scrap can be leftovers waste, pollution,

congestion, and so on… congestion, and so on… (Wright, 2004).(Wright, 2004).

Feedback/Control

• All systems have feedback and control.All systems have feedback and control.• This process involves using information This process involves using information

gathered from the outputs to regulate the gathered from the outputs to regulate the system.system.

• Negative feedback could call for Negative feedback could call for adjustments to the process.adjustments to the process.

• Positive feedback pushes towards meeting Positive feedback pushes towards meeting the goal that began the technological the goal that began the technological system system (Wright, 2004)..

The System Model

• Consider this graphical representation of a technological system.

Input Process Outputs

Feedback/Control

(Wright, 2004)

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.

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.

Unit Two Completed!

• Please close this presentation and launch the file entitled, “Chapter 3 – Types of Technological Systems.”

References

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