Introduction
Welcome to the Technology as a System Module. You will learn
about technological systems. You will be able to identify and describe
how the components of a system work together to solve a problem or to
reach a goal. You will examine a variety of simple and common systems.
This student guide consists of several activities that will
introduce you to system and the Universal Systems Model. You will
use the information gained in this material to solve several challenges/
problems. Begin your study of the Technology as a System Module by
reading each step in the daily activities and completing the
assignments.
Taking the Pretest
Write your answers to the Pretest on your sheet of paper. Turn in
your answers and continue to the next step. The pretest does not count as
part of your module grade. Its purpose is to help determine how much
you learn during this module.
Complete the pretest before moving on to the next step.
Pre-Test
Write answers on a piece of paper and turn in to your instructor when directed .
True/False continued
Reviewing Vocabulary Words
In this module there will be key terms given to you at the
beginning of every activity that you will need to define.
These words and their definitions will be located in the videos,
reading material, or software used in the daily activities.
The words and definitions need to be written down on your
vocabulary/study question worksheet. When you finish place
the sheet in your folder. The instructor will let you know the
proper procedure before you begin the module.
Today’s activity includes these vocabulary words. List them
on your vocabulary/study question worksheet. Look for them
as you do the activities and write the definitions in your
own words.
1. System
2. Natural System
3. Technological System
Reviewing Study Questions
Read and copy the study questions. Look for the answers in
today’s lesson. When you find the answers, record your answers on
your vocabulary/study question worksheet. Keep the questions in your
folder until your instructor asks for them.
1. Which of the following is a group of parts working together to complete a task?
a. an output
b. feedback
c. a system
d. an input
2. The primary goal of technological systems is to meet the needs and wants of people.
a. True
b. False
3. Which of the following is an example of a technological system?
a. A computer system
b. The human digestive system
b. The solar system
d. A weather system
Today’s Essential Question:
Can the student classify a system as a natural or a technological system?
Reading
Locate the text titled Technology Design and Applications (Blue
Text). Read pages 34 thru 37. This section will introduce to you
the basic parts of a system. Remember to define your terms and
answer your study questions.
Journal Entry
In your journal, write about a technological system that you use
regularly. Keep your journal entry until the end of the module. Turn in
your journal when instructed to do so.
Closing...
You have now reached the end of today’s lesson. Make sure that all
material is in its proper location and the module area is clean. Chairs up and
computer at the log in screen. Remember, you are responsible for the module
area.
Essential Question: Can a student take the information gathered today about
the parts of a system, related to a thermostat, and determine and
label the parts of a pencil sharpener or another simple system?
Reviewing Vocabulary Words
Today’s activity includes these vocabulary words. List them on
your vocabulary/study question worksheet. Look for them as
you do the activities and write the definitions in your own
words.
Goals
Processes
Feedback
Inputs
Outputs
Desired Output
Maintenance
Reviewing Study Questions
Read the study questions and look for the answers in today’s lesson.
When you find the answers, record your answers on the vocabulary/study
question worksheet according to your teacher’s instructions.
4. Which element of a system includes the adjustments made to the system to control the outputs?
A. Goals
C. Inputs
B. Inputs
D. Feedback
5. Processes are the results obtained by operating a system?
A. True
B. False
6. Goals are the reason for developing and operating a system.
A. True
B. False
Essential Question: Can a student take the information gathered today
about the parts of a system, related to a thermostat, and determine and label
the parts of a pencil sharpener or another simple system?
Reading
Locate the text titled Technology Design and Applications. Read
pages 37 thru 39. This section will introduce the parts of a system. Use
the information in the reading to define your terms and answer the study
questions.
Activity: Take a look at the manual pencil sharpener (on the table up
front) and label the system parts. What is the:
Goal?
Input?
Process?
Output?
Feedback?
Journal Entry
In your journal, write about something you learned about today.
Did it relate to the standard? How did it relate? Keep your journal entry
until the end of the module then you will turn it into the instructor.
Closing...
You have now reached the end of today’s lesson. Make sure that all
material is in its proper location and the module area is clean. Chairs up and
computer at the log in screen. Remember, you are responsible for the module
area.
Activity #1
Today you will LIST the inputs, processes, outputs and feedback for the
propulsion system of a bicycle.
In the Technology Design and Application text book refer to page 37 and
38.
Compare the digestion system (natural system) to the bicycle propulsion
system (technological system).
Propulsion: to push forward or drive an object forward
Journal Entry
In your journal, write about something you learned about today.
Keep your journal entry until the end of the module then you will
turn it into the instructor.
Closing...
You have now reached the end of today’s lesson. Make sure that all
material is in its proper location and the module area is clean. Chairs up and
computer at the log in screen. Remember, you are responsible for the module
area.
Essential Question: Can a student take the information gathered today
about system inputs and use that information to categorize the resources for
an individual common product?
Reviewing Vocabulary Words
Today’s activity includes these vocabulary words. List them on
your vocabulary/study question worksheet. Look for them as
you do the activities and write the definitions in your own
words.
Materials
Energy
Machines
Time
Knowledge
Reviewing Study Questions
Read the study questions and look for the answers in today’s lesson.
When you find the answers, record your answers on the vocabulary/study
question worksheet according to your teacher’s instructions.
7. Which of the following inputs to technological systems extends humans’ ability to do work?
A. Time
C. Knowledge
B. Energy
D. Machines
8. Which of the following is an inexhaustible energy source?
A. Coal
B. Wind
C. Natural Gas D. Petroleum
Essential Question: Can a student take the information gathered today
about system inputs and use that information to categorize the resources for
an individual common product?
Reading
Locate the text titled Technology Design and Applications. Read pages
39 thru 42. This section will introduce system inputs. Use the information in the
reading to define your terms and answer the study questions.
Activity: Take a look at a pen and pencil, list the inputs and materials used to
make it.
Categorize the inputs into a list. Give examples of all seven from page 39.
List the materials used in making a pencil.
List the materials used to make a retractable pen.
Use the Internet for additional information.
Possible sites:
http://www.madehow.com/Volume-1/Pencil.html
http://www.pencils.com/pencil-information/pencil-making
http://science.howstuffworks.com/question465.htm
http://home.howstuffworks.com/pen.htm
Journal Entry
In your journal, write about something you learned about today.
Did it relate to the standard? How did it relate? Keep your journal entry
until the end of the module then you will turn it into the instructor.
Closing...
You have now reached the end of today’s lesson. Make sure that all
material is in its proper location and the module area is clean. Chairs up and
computer at the log in screen. Remember, you are responsible for the module
area.
Essential Question: Can a student identify important processes that at
system must complete to reach its goal?
Reviewing Vocabulary Words
Today’s activity includes these vocabulary words. List them on
your vocabulary/study question worksheet. Look for them as
you do the activities and write the definitions in your own
words.
Production Process
Management Process
Reviewing Study Questions
Read the study questions and look for the answers in today’s lesson.
When you find the answers, record your answers on the vocabulary/study
question worksheet according to your teacher’s instructions.
9. Which of the following is not a management action?
A. Planning
C. Manufacturing
B. Directing
D. Controlling
10. Management processes are actions that change inputs into outputs?
A. True
B. False
11. Processes are the results obtained by operating a system.
A. True
B. False
Essential Question: Can a student identify important processes that at
system must complete to reach its goal?
Reading
Locate the text titled Technology Design and Applications. Read pages
43 thru 45. This section will introduce system processes. Use the information in
the reading to define your terms and answer the study questions.
Activity: Use the Internet to research the processes that must occur for wheat
from a farmer to go to a miller to become flour, to go to a baker to become bread.
Illustrate or draw a diagram of the process.
Journal Entry
In your journal, write about something you learned about today.
Did it relate to the standard? How did it relate? Keep your journal entry
until the end of the module then you will turn it into the instructor.
Closing...
You have now reached the end of today’s lesson. Make sure that all
material is in its proper location and the module area is clean. Chairs up and
computer at the log in screen. Remember, you are responsible for the module
area.
Essential Question: Can a student use the feedback loop information to
identify desired and undesired outputs in technological systems?
Reviewing Vocabulary Words
Today’s activity includes these vocabulary words. List them on your
vocabulary/study question worksheet. Look for them as you do the activities
and write the definitions in your own words.
Outputs
Pollution
Intended Outputs
Feedback
Undesirable Outputs
Reviewing Study Questions
Read the study questions and look for the answers in today’s lesson. When you find
the answers, record your answers on the vocabulary/study question worksheet
according to your teacher’s instructions.
12. Which of the following is an example of an undesirable output?
A. Sawdust
C. Medicine
B. Food
D. E-mail
13. Which element of a system includes the adjustments made to the system to control the outputs?
A. Goals
C. Processes
B. Inputs
D. Feedback
14. The primary goal of technological systems is to meet the needs and wants of people.
A. True
B. False
15. A thermostat-controlled heating system is an example of a closed-loop system.
A. True
B. False
16. Scrap, waste, and pollution are desirable outputs.
A. True
B. False
17. An open-loop system has a built-in feedback or control path.
A. True
B. False
18. System inputs compare information about what is happening in a system to what is desired and then they
make adjustments accordingly.
A. True
B. False
Essential Question: Can a student use the goal and feedback loop information to
identify desired and undesired outputs in technological systems?
Reading
Locate the text titled Technology Design and Applications. Read pages 45 thru
49. This section will introduce system outputs and feedback. Use the information
in the reading to define your terms and answer the study questions.
Activity: Use the Internet go to 8th grade class notes and open Technology as a
System PowerPoint presentation. Go thru the presentation to see examples of open
loop systems and closed loop systems.
Activity 2: Use this information to assist you in listing all the feedback
information available to an automobile driver.
Journal Entry
In your journal, write about something you learned about today. Did it
relate to the standard? How did it relate? Keep your journal entry until the
end of the module then you will turn it into the instructor.
Closing...
You have now reached the end of today’s lesson. Make sure that all material
is in its proper location and the module area is clean. Chairs up and computer
at the log in screen. Remember, you are responsible for the module area.
Activities:
1. Read (page 49) Technology Design and Application.
List the 3 goals of technological systems.
A.
B.
C.
2. Read Technology Explained section on page 50 and 51. Based on how
the container shipping is described, how do you think products made in
Japan get to Best Buy in Dublin.
3. Use the Internet to access Georgia Ports Authority (www.gaports.com)
Look under the Port of Savannah click on Garden City Terminal. How
does it rank as a container port in the US?
4. Next go to the Ocean Terminal page, What types of shipments does
this terminal handle?
Journal Entry
In your journal, write about something you learned about today. Keep your
journal entry until the end of the module then you will turn it into the instructor.
Closing...
You have now reached the end of today’s lesson. Make sure that all material
is in its proper location and the module area is clean. Chairs up and computer
at the log in screen. Remember, you are responsible for the module area.
Activity #4
Watch Video Entitled: Extreme Engineering: Container
Ships.
How many hours did the dock workers have to unload and
load the container ship?
List the different modes of transportation used to move the
containers.
Journal Entry
In your journal, write about something you learned about today. Keep your
journal entry until the end of the module then you will turn it into the
instructor.
Closing...
You have now reached the end of today’s lesson. Make sure that all material
is in its proper location and the module area is clean. Chairs up and computer
at the log in screen. Remember, you are responsible for the module area.
Activity #4
Review for Post-Test
Take Post-Test
Journal Entry
In your journal, write about something you learned about today.
Keep your journal entry until the end of the module then you will
turn it into the instructor.
Closing...
You have now reached the end of today’s lesson. Make sure that all material
is in its proper location and the module area is clean. Chairs up and computer
at the log in screen. Remember, you are responsible for the module area.