Technology has been defined as anything that is human-made and is used to solve real-world problems. This can be as simple as a hand tool or as complex as a particle accelerator. It also includes things that are not physically made but that have a significant effect on real-world processes, like business methods and computer software.
Technological advances improve the human environment and help solve problems. Some examples include the invention of fire and the development of tools for hunting and gathering, as well as communication technologies such as writing symbols, pictograms, ideograms, cave paintings, and written language. Today, computers and the Internet are technology that makes it possible for people to work from home or travel anywhere.
The most important aspect of technology is its ability to make the world a better place. However, new technologies can also lead to problems like social inequality and environmental degradation. The question is, do the benefits of a technology accrue primarily to inventors, early investors, and highly skilled users or does it benefit society more generally as new jobs are created?
Understanding technology is essential for students as they prepare to enter the workforce. Knowledge of the various types of technology opens the door to a wide range of careers, from engineering and data science to cybersecurity and digital marketing.