Technology is a term derived from the Greek words ‘TECHNE’ and ‘LOGIA’ meaning the study of craft or art. Technology is basically a systematic way of doing things or solving problems for the good of mankind. Technology is also a human activity directed at designing and making products like machines, computers, textiles, household devices and others, which make human living comfortable.
Technology is the processes (method) and products (materials) that make life easy and stress free. It can also be defined as cultural traditions developed in human communities for developing the physical and biological environment. Technology is also a new knowledge, idea, skill, procedure, or technique for doing or using things which may result into new things being produced. Technological development could be traced in the following areas:
(i) Food
(ii) Clothing
(iii) Shelter
(iv) Communication
(v) Transportation, and
(vi) Manufacturing.
Technology-related Professions
Technology is in the area of producing things, and providing services or using things in given ways. Such areas of human endeavor include engineering and construction, medicine, pharmacy, agriculture, business and commerce.
Technology Occupations/Careers
| S/n | Field | Occupation | ||
| 1 | Engineering | (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) (v) (vi) (vii) (viii) (ix) (x) | Mechanical Engineering Electrical Engineering Electronic Engineering Computer Engineering Telecommunication Engineering Agricultural Engineering Civil Engineering Building Engineering Chemical Engineering Aeronautic Engineering | |
| 2 | Architecture | (i) | Architecture | |
| 3 | Medicine | (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) (v) (vi) (vii) | General Practice Dental medicine Surgery Gynecology and obstetrics Optomology Pharmacy Vetenary medicine | |
| 4 | Agriculture | (i) (ii) | Animal production Crop production | |
| 5 | Business | (i) (ii) | Management Accountancy | |
| 6 | Information Communication Technology (ICT) | (i) | Information Management System | |
Types of Technology
There are two types of technology namely;
(i) Developed technology: The type of technology used nowadays, e.g. provision of shelter, standard means of food preservation, motorable means of travelling, use of GSM, E-mail in the area of communication, etc.
(ii) Underdeveloped technology: This is the type of technology operated in the olden days, e.g. trekking, oral message, letter writing, use of hoes and cutlasses, use of salt to preserve food and drying food in the sun, etc.
Importance of Technology
The importance of technology cannot be overemphasized as it has brought tremendous change into all sectors of human activities. The importance of technology are as follows:
(i) Technology has improved our transportation system. People can move from one place to another on cars, airplane, and trains etc. as means of transportation system.
(ii) Technology has improved communication system. Information beyond our solar system is being gathered through various means such as Telex, radio etc. computer system, internet, e-mail as a means of communication system to make business contact, invitation, alert etc.
(iii) Technology has improved the working environment. The use of machines to produce goods and services has reduced the necessity for human and animals labour.
(iv) Technology has brought improvement in literacy and educational levels to the society.
(v) Technology has improved the development of medical health care delivery
(vi) Technology has improved quality of goods and increased production as a result for farming, using agricultural equipment e.g. harvesters, tractors etc.
(vii) It provides us with modern ways of solving problems
(viii) Technology makes us live a happy and easy life
(ix) Technology keeps the world going
(x) Technology provide us with work
A nation cannot achieve its goals of greatness unless it directs all its efforts in technology to develop its resources. Nature has given every country some natural resources. The extent to which each country utilizes the gifts of nature depends upon the country’s technology. Technological development is, therefore, very essential to make life more comfortable for the people.
The quality of life enjoyed by the people in a society depends much on the extent to which technological literacy is encouraged. Technology has brought an improvement on the method of land cultivation, communication, transportation and social life. It is therefore necessary for everyone, regardless of gender, to be technologically literate.
Technological Literacy
The technological literacy is the ability for someone to understand and use basic technology for everyday living.
Everybody should be planning to be technologically literate because it:
(i) Helps us improve and solve our problems using modern approach.
(ii) Helps us to acquire practical skills which can be used in our work, home, schools and life generally.
(iii) Helps us to be capable of doing things which can protect us from dangers.
However, it is necessary for everybody to acquire basic technological literacy and capability which creates jobs to enable every person to have occupational identity.
EVALUATION
- What is technology?
- Mention four technology-related occupations.
- List four importance of technology.