technology science
The Technology Generation
Technology is playing an ever-increasing role in our daily lives. From the cars we drive, the homes we live in and the places we work and learn, we are faced with technology by the bucket load, aiming to improve efficiency and encourage competitiveness on a modern scale. The fact of the matter is, today technology is an irretrievable constant in our daily lives. Tell people to live without their cell phones and they’ll laugh in your face. Tell someone he can’t send that email, and again he’ll be shocked. Technology is here to stay, big time, and it’s really making its mark on the way we live our lives.
For example, think about your workplace. Even before you get in the door you’ll come across modern technology, with car parking ticket dispensers, and door entry systems. When you get to your desk, the first thing you see? Yep, the computer. Even this monstrosity is betraying a vast network of technology underneath, linking it to other machines in your organization to allow you to print and share access to certain files. On your desk will also be an advanced calling system, and probably loads of other gadgets to boot. In fact, they’re so engrained in our daily lives, it’s hard to think how we survived before they existed.
Society today has gone down a dangerous path. We’ve placed far too much reliance on the machine and computer storage which has proven to be unreliable at times, as with all man made creations. The fact is with such a reliance on mechanical systems, we are jeopardizing whole hosts of vital information and operations which could result in major problems should systems fail dramatically. In this instant information generation, we are lacking the key ingredient of certainty which is so vital in storing our information. Read the rest of this entry »
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Science and Technology For a Better Future
One of the most often asked questions in the contemporary world is ‘What is the meaning of science and technology?’ Man is innovative in nature. The ability of man to create and change the shape of that which he has created is what sets him apart from other organisms. Science is the approach to study that emphasized the use of empirical evidence to come up with new ideas. As one of the branches of knowledge, it sets out to find out more on the nature of the physical world. Through practical analysis of phenomena, scientists have come up with solutions to many problems that have plagued mankind for many years.
The first step in scientific undertaking is coming up with a problem. Once a problem has been identified, there has to be dependent and independent variables that guide the researcher in formulating a hypothesis that will help him to come up with the most accurate results. A hypothesis is a tentative statement assumes that one of the two possible outcomes will happen. The researcher can choose to adopt any of the possible outcomes as his hypothesis. This is the foundation that led to the discovery of cures for many diseases that initially used to kill millions annually such as malaria.
The scientific approach to research is responsible for development of technology. Technology is the ability for man to make tasks easier to perform through a highly sets of scientific applications which build on interrelatedness of many basic principles. Machines are synonymously used with the concept of technology. Yet the contemporary use of the word presumes things like computers and Read the rest of this entry »
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5 Easy Steps to Retaining Women to Trades, Science and Technology Classrooms
Step One: Bridge the Technology Divide
The reality is that overall women tend to have less experience with technology than their male counterparts, whether we are talking about computer technology or auto technology. Instructors who are successful in retaining female students recognize that they need to start with the basics during the beginning of the semester so that the less experienced students get the basic building blocks needed to be successful (this is helpful to male students missing those basics too). So that might mean an introduction to tool identification and use or the basics of navigating the Internet. Instructors should also provide open lab time for students in need of additional hands-on experience. If possible, staff the lab with a senior female student, women are often more comfortable asking questions of other women in a male-dominated field. For some best practice case study examples that illustrate these concepts look at the Cisco Gender Initiative’s Best Practice Case Studies developed by the Institute for Women in Trades, Technology and Science (IWITTS) (1).
Step Two: Collaborative Learning in the Technology Classroom
Many female students lack confidence in the classroom and this negatively impacts their learning ability. There are several reasons for this: first, overall, male students have more experience with technology, especially hands-on labs; second, male students tend to boast of their accomplishments while females tend to think that they are doing poorly even when they are doing well; third, male students tend to dominate in classroom discussions and lab activities.
Technology instructors can overcome these factors by using collaborative group methods in the classroom designed to increase student learning, interaction and support of each other. Some examples of these group methods are: 1) grade students in teams as well as individually; 2) put female students in positions of leadership in the classroom; 3) assign students to teams or pairs rather than leaving it up to them to pick their partners; 4) have female students work together in labs during the beginning of the semester; 5) enlist the help of whiz kids with the teaching of their fellow students, providing them with a constructive outlet for their talents.
Step Three: Contextual Learning Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: engineering and technology education, technology science