Class 01: Introduction to the Course

Held: Monday, January 24, 2005

Summary: Today we begin the course by considering its focus (Technology), its structure, and its administrative details.

• Fill out the introductory survey

Overview:

• What is technology?
• How does one study?
• Course structure.
• Expectations.

What is Technology?

• I start many of my classes with a simple question: What does the name of the course tell us about the subject matter?
• Quiz: Write down a definition of Technology.
• We'll share your answers publically.
• Here's what Meriam-Webster's says

  1 a : the practical application of knowledge especially in a particular area : ENGINEERING 2 <medical technology> b : a capability given by the practical application of knowledge <a car's fuel-saving technology>
  2 : a manner of accomplishing a task especially using technical processes, methods, or knowledge <new technologies for information storage>
  3 : the specialized aspects of a particular field of endeavor <educational technology>

How to Study Technology

• If we are to study technology in this course, we should consider the ways in which one generally studies things.
• Do different disciplines have different mechanisms for studying?
• Science often relies on the scientific method.
• We might study some technologies by attempting to replicate them. (What kind of study is that?)
• Our key strategies for studying a number of technologies:
  • Read
  • Listen to experts
  • Question experts
  • Discuss

Expectations

• Close enough to tutorial that I'll probably still focus on some basic skills.
• See the course Web for particular details.