Do you have a television, a radio or a refrigerator? If you do, then you are using technology. In a way, you are already familiar with technology. But technology is not just about having and using appliances at home or in the workplace. Do you know that even small things like the ballpen, paper and eyeglasses are all products of technology?Technology has changed and influenced our life in many ways. In this module, you will learn more about technology, its benefits as well as its negative effects.The module has two lessons:Lesson 1 – Technology and Its BenefitsLesson 2 – The Negative Effects of Technology and the Challenges
After studying this module, you should be able to:
♦ identify various developments related to technology;
♦ explain the benefits of technology;
♦ explain the negative effects of technology; and
♦ state some challenges facing technology.
LESSON 1 - Technology and Its Benefits
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, INVENTION AND DISCOVERY
Science is the systematic observation of natural events and conditions in order to discover facts and create things related to them. For example, science studies the weather and is then able to create instruments that can tell where a storm is likely to occur.
Notice the italicized words in the definition of science—to discover facts and create things related to them. This discovery of facts and the creation of things is what technology is all about. Technology refers to discoveries and inventions, the things that man uses to control or manage his environment, the products and methods that man uses for building, manufacturing, and producing. These products and methods are meant to satisfy our needs and desires. For example, the telephone was invented to enable people to communicate with one another even if they are miles away.
When we talk of technology, we always hear the terms invention and discovery. What do you think is the difference between the two?
Discovery means finding out or learning about something. For example, thousands of years ago, people could only see and observe the stars above them. But now, through the technology of space travel, the telescope, and other space observation instruments, people have discovered that there are actually billions of stars and that some of the “stars” we see are actually planets.
Discovery, therefore, means finding out about something that already exists.
On the other hand, to invent means to create something. For example, the appliances that you use at home like the television, refrigerator, and radio are all inventions. They did not exist before and were only created by people.
Through the ages, people invented tools, machines, materials, and techniques to make work easier. Technology includes the use of both primitive and modern tools and methods of work. Primitive technology refers to old technologies or the things that were created thousands of years ago. Modern technology refers to new technologies. An example of primitive technology is the use of fire. Fire was discovered thousands of years ago. On the other hand, an example of modern technology is the computer.
While examples of primitive and modern technologies perform the same functions, the latter were developed to make work a lot easier. For example, people used to wash their clothes using the washboard. Clothes were rubbed against the washboard to get rid of dirt. Today, we have washing machines. You just put your clothes in, push some buttons, and presto! Your clothes are washed. In fact, many washing machines even have dryers. You need not hang your clothes because you can get them clean and dry using such machines.
Washboard and clothes hanging - PRIMITIVE TECHNOLOGY
Washing machine and drier - MODERN TECHNOLOGY
Indeed, technology continues to change the world we live in. This is because technology evolves. This means that as time passes, developments and improvements are made on old technologies. From primitive technologies, people create new and better technologies. This is called innovation. For example, when the first television was introduced, it did not have any sound. Soon television carried black and white pictures, and then came colored pictures. Through the years, people innovate or improve on old technologies to come up with better and more efficient technologies.
TECHNOLOGIES THAT REVOLUTIONIZED THE WORLD
Change has almost always been the effect of technology. But some discoveries and inventions have a greater and deeper impact than others. These are the inventions and discoveries that drastically or radically changed people’s lifestyles from the time that they were introduced until now. These are also the technologies that paved the way for other inventions and discoveries.
Below are some of these revolutionary technologies. Find out how each technology made life more convenient and work more efficiently.
Wheel (3200–3500 B.C.)
We don’t know whom to thank for the invention of the wheel but think of what the world would be like without it. There then would be no bicycles, no roller blades, no cars, no buses. Before, people walked long distances just to get from one place to another. But with the introduction of the wheel, people were able to reach far places in shorter periods of time. It enabled the people back then (and it still does now) to work in and travel to places far from their homes.
Printing Press (1450s)
A printing press is a machine that hastens the process of printing books. Johannes Gutenberg, a businessman from Germany, is said to have invented the printing press in the early 1450s.
Gutenberg’s machine used individual letters, hand-carved out of metal, that could be removed and repositioned for each page in a book. Then, it would sweep ink over the letters and “press” them on to the paper. The technology is much like what happens when you use a stamp pad.
For many centuries, the Catholic Church was producing most of the books that were available at that time, by hand-copying each one. But then things began to change. Paper was developed and it proved to be a good alternative to the animal skin — or “vellum” as it was called — that had been available back then. As more and more people were learning to read, the demand for books increased.
The invention of the printing press was an instant hit and soon many people were printing, and the prices of books went down. Many people were able to buy them, and this forever changed the way people learned.
Telephone (1876)
Alexander Graham Bell taught people who were deaf, so he was interested in sound vibrations or how sound bounces and travels. Bell realized that these vibrations can be turned into variations in electrical current that could be transmitted through wires from one place to another. From this, he was able to invent the telephone.
His invention not only made it possible for us to chat with friends miles away, but opened the door for intercoms, walkie-talkies, radio, fax transmission and even the Internet. It has brought people closer together.
Automobile (1900s)
Nicolas-Joseph Cugnot of France is considered to have been the first to build a true self-propelled vehicle. His vehicle actually moved on its own. In 1769, Cugnot unveiled his model, a steam-powered vehicle that carried four passengers for 20 minutes at a top speed of 3.6 km/hr.
Steam and electricity were used to power early automobiles until the beginning of the 1900s. It was at that point that gasoline was tapped as an alternative power source. The gas-powered vehicles could travel farther and faster than those that used steam and electricity.
Two of the pioneer manufacturers of these newer and safer gas-powered models were Gottlieb Daimler and Carl Benz of Germany.
It was in 1908 that Henry Ford started his assembly-line style of production. Assembly-line production means mass production by getting workers to specialize in parts that are put together to produce an automobile. Because of this method, Ford is credited with completely changing the automobile. Soon, other types of vehicles were innovated from the design of the old model.
Television (1927)
Television is the most popular way for people to get their news and entertainment today. Can you imagine what the world would be like without television?
Unlike most of the world’s major inventions, hardly anyone knows who created the television. His name was Philo Farnsworth. In 1927, Philo, who was only 20 years old, sent the first all-electronic image in his own lab in San Francisco, California. The image was a simple black line that was being rotated to see if the television could record and reproduce its movement.
The first television didn’t have any sound. Soon, black and white pictures were introduced, followed by colored pictures. Now, we have television sets complete with remote control devices—you can change the program even without having to leave your seat.
Computers (1945)
Computers today do a lot of things. In homes, tiny computers embedded in electric appliances turn the television on and off and switch channels, or control the temperature of the refrigerator.
Computers in cars and other vehicles regulate the flow of fuel. Computers are also used in hospital machines such as X-rays.
Do you know that computers were primarily created to be used in complex mathematical calculations?
Machines used for doing complex mathematical calculations have roots dating back many thousands of years ago to the Chinese abacus, a set of counting beads in rows in a frame. In 1945, ENIAC — the Electronic Numerical Integrator and Calculator — was born. It was the very first computer. However, unlike most computers today, it took up a very large room and had its own air conditioner. Now, thanks to new developments such as the computer chip, a computer with the same capability can fit into the palm of your hand. Today, computers are a must in most offices. In fact, computers are also used for study and play.
The Internet (1960s)
The Internet links computers together throughout the world. Not all computers, however, are automatically connected to the Internet. You will have to apply for an Internet connection, just like what you do with a telephone connection.
If you have an Internet connection, you can access documents and information from the Internet. This collection of information is called the World Wide Web. Aside from information, you can also get pictures and even sounds and movies. You can find out about things that are happening in other countries. You can also shop and communicate with others using the Internet. The Internet is now changing the way people shop, entertain, get information and learn.
BENEFITS OF TECHNOLOGY
Technology is created to address a certain need. For example, the need to disseminate (give out) information led to the invention of paper, printing press, and partly, television and the radio.
As the population continues to grow the need to mass-produce products emerged. Technology has greatly helped in this area.
1 - Technology has led to increased production and reduced labor.
This is the first benefit of technology. Through technology, people have achieved a great increase in the production of goods and services. In the past, for example, farmers and animals were the main sources of power in farms. Farmers had to work from dawn to dusk, yet one farmer could produce enough food for only about four people.
The introduction of machines has not only increased production but has also reduced the amount of work needed to produce goods and services.
In the 1800s, factory workers needed to work 12 to 16 hours a day, six days a week. Few people were able to take a holiday.
Today, however, new technologies and machines have reduced the amount of work needed to produce goods. For example, the earliest newspapers required the workers to have every letter that would be used to be carved in metal much like how stamp pads are made. These stamps were used for every newspaper that was to be printed. Today, however, producing the text will only require one person to do it on the computer. The computer output is then “photographed” to produce a negative which is used for mass production. There is no need for stamps for every newspaper today! Think about how much time and effort are saved.
2 - Technology has brought us higher living standards.
Higher living standards are a result of the increased production of goods and services. We are now better fed, better clothed, and housed, and we enjoy a healthier, more comfortable life than people in the past. Technology has changed the way we live our life.
For example, the development of cars and other vehicles changed where people live, work, and even how people spent their leisure time.
Radio and television have also changed our entertainment habits. We can watch programs, sing with our television (videoke), or play games (Play Station or family computer).
3 -Technology has made leisure and play better and more enjoyable.
Under the influence of modern technology, many forms of play have been transformed. An example is the team game that is watched by thousands of spectators and which caters to the large population of big cities. New sports like cycling, motor racing, parachuting, and hang gliding have appeared as a by-product of the new inventions that made them possible.
Still more significant is the development of traditional sports. Modern technology has brought a great increase in the skills displayed. Identically and perfectly manufactured balls, more efficient bats, clubs, rackets, and vaulting poles have reduced the element of chance and increased the need for skill.
4 -Technology has improved the life expectancy of people.
Life expectancy refers to the number of years a person can expect to live. Discoveries and inventions that treat diseases have helped many people to prolong and improve the quality of their life. In the 1900s, many people did not live past the age of 50. Today, many people live for more than 75 years.
5 -Technology has sped up the exchange of information.
Through mass media, which includes television, radio, film, and the Internet, information can be disseminated or shared with thousands and even millions of people at the same time.
People can talk to other people in an instant through the telephone or cellular phone, even if they are far from each other. Now people can write to each other using the computer (through the Internet), through the fax machine, or even through the phone (text messaging). The latest form of electronic communication is the e-mail, which is like sending letters through the computer and the Internet.
6 –Technology has provided us options and access to variety.
Technology has provided us with more choices on what food to eat, what clothes to wear, what programs to watch, etc. The presence of many options then leads to value and behavioral changes.
For example, before, the only modes of transportation in Metro Manila were the jeepneys, the buses, the taxi cabs, and the train (LRT). Then came the Tamaraw FX taxis, which are like larger taxi cabs. You pay a lower fare and get the same comfort when riding the FX.
Let’s Remember
Before you proceed to Lesson 2, do not forget the important points of this first lesson.
Science is the systematic observation of natural events and conditions in order to discover facts and create things related to them.
Technology is about inventions and discoveries, the products and methods that man uses for building, manufacturing and producing.
Discovery means finding out or learning about something that already exists.
Invention means creating new things.
Some of the inventions and discoveries that revolutionized the world are the wheel, printing press, telephone, automobile, television, computers, and the Internet. They are considered to have revolutionized (greatly changed) the world because they paved the way for other major inventions. They drastically changed the way people lived during the time that they were invented or discovered.
Some of the benefits of technology are:
– increased production and reduced labor;
– higher living standards;
– better leisure and play;
– improvement in the life expectancy of people;
– increased and faster exchange of information; and
– more variety and choices in lifestyle.
- End of Lesson 1 -
NOTES:
1 – This is an edited copy of the ALS Module entitled “Technology – Its Benefits and Negative Effects.
2 – This is reproduced for teaching and learning purposes only.
3 – The credit goes to the original creator and/or publisher of this module.
