Technology Next Generation

Technology Next Generation
By: David Pieris
December 18, 2010
New York, NY, United States


SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
What is Technology?
Technology is the making, usage, and knowledge of tools, machines, techniques, crafts, systems or methods of organization in order to solve a problem or perform a specific function. It can also refer to the collection of such tools and machinery. The word technology comes from Greek τεχνολογία (technología); from τέχνη (téchnē), meaning "art, skill, craft", and -λογία (-logía), meaning "study of-".[1] The term can either be applied generally or to specific areas: examples include construction technology, medical technology, and information technology.
Technologies significantly affect human as well as other animal species' ability to control and adapt to their natural environments. The human species' use of technology began with the conversion of natural resources into simple tools. However, not all technology has been used for peaceful purposes; the development of weapons of ever-increasing destructive power has progressed throughout history, from clubs to nuclear weapons.
Technology has affected society and its surroundings in a number of ways. In many societies, technology has helped develop more advanced economies (including today's global economy) and has allowed the rise of a leisure class. Many technological processes produce unwanted by-products, known as pollution, and deplete natural resources, to the detriment of the Earth and its environment. Various implementations of technology influence the values of a society and new technology often raises new ethical questions. Examples include the rise of the notion of efficiency in terms of human productivity, a term originally applied only to machines, and the challenge of traditional norms.

The selected components of instructor’s profile include but are not limited to
1. ownership of technology,.
2. self-reported skills regarding various information, computer, software, communication, and collaboration technologies.
3. technologies used in TBE and hours spent per week on technology-related activities, and
4. use of main technologies for WBE such as learning management systems (LMS), repositories of learning objects (RLO), digital libraries (DL), open courseware (OCW), etc.
Ready to get started?
David Pieris has broken it down into seven phases.
1. Establish leadership and support.
2. Assess your resources.
3. Define your needs.
4. Explore solutions.
5. Write the plan.
6. Get funding.
7. Implement the plan.

Introduction to Technology

A technology can sound like another piece of bureaucracy, but don't be fooled. There is no substitute for thinking through what you need and how you will meet those needs. Technology planning is the process that will help you save money on technology, buy what you need, and use technology as a tool to accomplish your organization's mission.
Funders will be much more likely to give money for technology if you can show them a technology plan. Purchasing hardware, software and networking equipment can be overwhelming. If you don't plan, it's easy to end up with something that is way too complicated or doesn't do what you need it to. There's no substitute for thinking through your goals and researching possible solutions. You probably do not need the fanciest system on the market. Planning allows you to figure out how to spend less and still meet your needs.
Bad technology decisions can leave you suffering for years. A faulty system can send your stress level through the roof and make you lose crucial data and capabilities.
I, who knows your technology leaves, what will you do? A technology plan can save you by providing documentation of existing systems as well as future plans.