Humans have been called the animals which make things and at no time in history has that been so apparent as the present. Today, every human activity is dependant upon various tools, machines and systems, from growing food and providing shelter to communication, healthcare, entertainment and security. The average citizen, therefore, needs to be more knowledgeable of the history and nature of technology that sustains the modern world. This will ensure that the public is engaged with the decisions that help shape its technological future.

In this course, students will develop an understanding of the Nature of Technology including relationships among technologies and the connections between technology and other fields. Students will develop an understanding of Technology and Society including the cultural, social, economic and political effects of technology; effects of technology on the environment; role of society in the development and use of technology; and influence of technology on history. Students will develop the abilities to apply the design process, use and maintain technology and assess the impact of products and systems. Students will develop an understanding of the designed world including selecting and using medical technologies, agricultural and biotechnologies, energy and power technologies, information and communication technologies, transportation technologies, manufacturing technologies and construction technologies.

K-12 teachers taking this course will be able to use the knowledge gained from this course directly in their own classrooms, wherever appropriate.

Instructor

Krishna Vedula, Ph.D.
Professor, College of Engineering
University of Massachusetts, Lowell.
Krishna_Vedula@uml.edu

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