Just Ronning Around
Technology & Society · I.A–I.C

Study cluster 01

Foundations

Three ideas for reading any technology story: what technology is, how an invention becomes useful, and which fields supply the evidence behind a design.

Opening predictions

Choose first. Check later.

The correct answers stay hidden until the end of the study session.

I.A

A learner can explain a design, fix a fault, and defend a choice with evidence. What does the learner demonstrate?

  1. Technology
  2. Technology education
  3. Technological literacy
  4. Educational technology

I.B

A clinic decides to begin using a repairable wheelchair attachment. Which term best describes that decision?

  1. Invention
  2. Innovation
  3. Adoption
  4. Support infrastructure

I.C

A team studies how riders understand warning screens before refining a design. Which kind of knowledge is it using?

  1. Scientific finding
  2. Mathematical model
  3. Human factors
  4. Engineering design

The three concepts

Explain. See it. Compare.

Concept I.A

Nature of technology

Technology includes human-designed products, processes, and systems. Technology education is organized learning about them. Technological literacy combines understanding, practical capability, and informed judgment.

  • Technology
  • Technology education
  • Technological literacy
  • Educational technology
Explainer: public link pendingComparison Short: after the stream
Comic-style infographic distinguishing technology, technology education, technological literacy, and educational technology
Open the infographic at full size.

Concept I.B

Invention & innovation

An invention brings a new technical idea into being. Innovation puts a new or improved idea to useful work. Adoption depends on people or organizations deciding to use it, supported by parts, repair, cost, and fit.

  • Invention
  • Innovation
  • Adoption
  • Support infrastructure
Explainer: public link pendingComparison Short: after the stream
Comic-style infographic tracing invention through innovation, adoption, and support infrastructure
Open the infographic at full size.

Concept I.C

Knowledge from other fields

Scientific findings explain how the world behaves. Mathematics models and predicts performance. Human factors show how people interact with a design. Engineering brings that evidence together to develop and test a solution.

  • Scientific finding
  • Mathematical model
  • Human factors
  • Engineering design
Explainer: public link pendingComparison Short: after the stream
Comic-style infographic showing science, mathematics, and human factors feeding an engineering design problem
Open the infographic at full size.

Check the sources

Original references

These study notes are an independent synthesis. Follow the original sources for the full context.