Technology is the means by which human beings achieve objectives and fulfill needs. In a personal context, technology may involve the use of gadgets and communication tools, while in the workplace, it refers to systems that automate processes for increased efficiency and productivity.
Technological innovation has shaped our world since the first stone tools. The evolution of technology has allowed humans to accomplish more with less effort and time, resulting in better health, comfort, and convenience. Technology has also facilitated faster exchange of information, enabling timely decision-making in both professional and personal realms.
Despite the ubiquity of technological advancements, not everyone has an accurate definition for what constitutes technology. Some think of technology as simply the latest devices or gadgets. Others, including experts in instructional design, equate it with the processes that enable the use of these devices and gadgets.
In its simplest form, technology prioritizes certain paths to ends and neglects other routes and ends. Often, these choices are not arbitrary; they result from the technologist deliberating about what kind of future should materialize based on scientific understanding of the present.
Some examples of technology in our daily lives include smart kitchen appliances that speed up cooking, navigation apps that provide the fastest commuting routes, and educational learning resources that make classrooms fun for students. These kinds of technologies are designed to meet individual learning needs and preferences. For example, students who cannot learn well through lectures can use technology to supplement instruction with online interactive simulations.