Technology is the application of conceptual knowledge to achieve practical goals, including the production and distribution of tangible tools such as utensils, machines and software. It also encompasses non-tangible systems such as computer-based information and communication technologies, and it is used in many fields, such as manufacturing, transport, energy and the military.
The development of technology is a multifaceted process, requiring the skills of designers, builders and maintainers – and often resulting in the creation of entire professions. Many of the most complex technologies have grown into systems with their own internal economies, such as the supply chains, production and maintenance processes, and market structures that support automobile manufacturing or aerospace engineering.
Using technology to learn about the world helps students develop as a whole person, fostering creativity and imagination as well as critical thinking. Whether it is through animation software, video editing tools or online platforms for creative writing, technology allows students to express themselves artistically and build their confidence and self-esteem.
Technological developments, however, are not simply additive; they can also subsume other means towards an end and deprioritize certain paths. For instance, when digital cameras became widespread, they displaced the analogue photography pathway and its inefficient but gratifying culture of meticulously physically retouching photographs. Likewise, some traditional forms of farming and fishing continue to coexist with modern agricultural techniques. These developments can be both positive and negative, depending on the context in which they are used and the ways they shape social relations.