So what really is technology? When I first thought about this question I have to admit I immediately just thought of objects and devices such as phones, tablets and computers. Turns out - I was wrong!
Technology is much greater than mere 'tools'.
The reading "What is Technology" presented by Jose Anazagasty was incredibly helpful in opening my eyes to my incorrect definition of technology.
Jose quotes Bijker and Law (1992) - Technology "is born of the social, the economic and the technical relations that are already in place." Jose then goes on to quote Volti (2008) by summarising that technology is "a system produced by humans that employs knowledge and organization to make objects and developed techniques for the achievement of specific goals."
So what I take this all to mean is that technology is not simply the output of tools used by humans, it is the whole technological process which takes into account the context and purpose that the 'tools' have been created for. It is the process of problem solving and designing products and 'tools' to offer solutions to often complex problems. These outputs are never perfect solutions - they are continually improved to reach specific goals and needs of changing populations and industries.
I'm sure my understanding will continue to develop as I engage with this course, however this is my current understanding.
Until next time,
Kirsty :)
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