Technology is the application of scientific knowledge to the practical aims of human life, or, as it is also phrased, to the change and manipulation of the human environment. It encompasses a wide range of technologies, including construction techniques and applications; industrial production; computer science; information processing; communications; photoengraving; printing; photography; metallurgy; the manufacture of machines and mechanical devices; electronics; textiles; leather industry; woodworking; and food technology.
The term “technology” is a convenient and generally useful catch-all sort of word, but its sometimes misleadingly vague quality makes it an inappropriate and counter-productive one in situations that call for more precise terminology. The problem is that a technology is never neutral: it implicitly endorses certain routes and ends above others, while simultaneously neglecting those that it renders less important.
A good example of this occurs when a new technology makes some pathways obsolete. When digital cameras first proliferated, they deprioritized the pathway to photographs that relied on film and darkrooms. The result was a displacement of an inefficient, labor-intensive culture—and of the jobs associated with it.
A good education should provide students with the tools to thrive in a technological world. For educators, that means equipping classrooms with technology that can help address the diversity of learning styles and experiences present in each class. The right solutions can also help teachers spend less time troubleshooting technology and more on delivering engaging, accessible lessons. For example, a student insight solution platform like Explorance Blue can identify each individual’s needs so that teachers can deliver personalized content, providing the best possible outcome for every student.