Exploring Technology Part 1: Inventions & Innovations

Lesson Content

• Lesson Plan Template:

  CTE Lesson Plan

• CTE Course Info and Benchmark Notes

  
  

  Program Title (as applicable):

  Integrated Technology Studies

  Course Title:

  Exploring Technology

  Course Number:

  8600020

  Career Cluster:

  Engineering & Technology Education

  CIP Number:

  08210122EX

  Course Type:

  Orientation/Exploratory

  Standard(s) or benchmarks

  Focus

  04.01

  Identify the ways that use of technology affects humans, including their safety, comfort, choices, and attitudes about technology’s development and use.

  01.02

  Describe the development of technology as a human activity that is the result of individual or collective needs and the ability to be creative.

  Supporting

  07.01

  Identify inventions and innovations that have evolved by using slow and methodical processes of tests and refinements.

• Unit Outline

  
  

  The focus of this unit is for students to explore technology and develop their own to address a school or community need. In this first lesson, students will research existing inventions and innovations to determine why they came about and how they impact society. The next lesson will ask students to think about the needs of their school and community. They will write a first draft of a letter to county commissioners with their proposal to address the need with technology. In the final two lessons, students will design a prototype for their technology and create a way to promote it.

• Career Connection

  
  

  Critical thinking and problem-solving skills are essential for the twenty-first century workplace. Students will be able to apply these skills in these lessons to creatively address needs in their school and community by finding technological solutions. Asking students to innovate will encourage and empower them to be independent thinkers.

• Learning Objectives

  
  

  Students will be able to:

  • Identify and describe technology and its impact on people.
  • Conduct research and paraphrase information from sources on technological inventions and innovations
  • Describe the relationship between people and technological inventions and innovations.

• Prior Knowledge

  
  

  Students should be familiar with

  • Different definitions for the term, technology.
  • Difference between an invention and innovation.
  • Finding valid, reliable online sources.
  • Paraphrasing information from sources.

• Guiding Questions

  
  
  • How has technology improved people’s lives over time?
  • What is the relationship between people and technology?
  • How can technology address needs in society?

• Procedure

  
  

  1. To introduce the lesson, ask students to jot down and verbally share their definition of technology.

  • Post students' answers on the board or other available technology.

  2. Pose the guiding question, “How has technology improved people’s lives over time?”.

  • Students will turn and talk with a partner.
  • Invite students to paraphrase their partners’ responses and share with the class.

  3. Distribute the Technology Graphic Organizer and review instructions with students.

  • Review with students the difference between an invention and innovation. Some examples are: the first telephone (invention) and the modern versions of cell phones (innovation) or the first automobile (invention) and modern electric cars (innovation).
  • Working with a partner, students will need access to the internet to research inventions and innovations that have had the most impact on society.
  • They will select 5 inventions and innovations and provide the following information for each:
    1. Name of invention/innovation
    2. Function
    3. Need addressed
    4. Impact on society

  4. After students complete the graphic organizer, they will discuss with their partner and determine which invention or innovation has had the most significant impact on society.

  • Students will complete the sentence stem and state 2 reasons for their choice on the Technology Graphic Organizer.

  5. To bring the lesson to a close, bring the class together and pose the guiding questions (below) to students.

  • • What is the relationship between people and technology?
    • How can technology address needs in society?
  • Each student will take turns sharing their response with their partner (see Teacher Notes).
  • Circulate while students take turns answering questions.

• Teacher Notes

  
  
  • Students may need a review on valid, reliable online sources and how to paraphrase.
  • For the closing activity, you may use a timer to ensure each student has time to share their responses to both guiding questions.
  • The teacher may provide students with a list of websites to use as sources.

• Optional

  
  

  Formative Assessment Ideas:

  • The teacher will observe students during the lesson, particularly while they research and participate in the closing activity.
  • The teacher can review the graphic organizer to review student responses.

  Accommodation Suggestions:

  • A modified handout is provided to assist students who may need support during the research part of the lesson.