Technology, Programming and Robotics

ESO 1 CURSO 2021-2022

UNIT 1: THE TECHNOLOGICAL PROCESS

1.1 WHAT IS TECHNOLOGY? WHAT IS PROGRAMMING? WHAT IS ROBOTICS?
Technology is the practical application of knowledge (science) and skills (techniques) to create
solutions (technological objects or systems) which satisfy our needs or solve our problems
Programming is to create a set of instructions to tell the computer how to do a task. It is similar to
the instructions given to a cook to make a cake. The ingredients (data) and the different stages (the
process) need to be described to make a delicious cake.
Robotics is the part of engineering and computer science that deals with the design and
construction of robots. A robot is a programmable mechanical device that can perform tasks and
interact with its environment.

1.2 THE TECHNOLOGICAL OBJECT AS A SOLUTION TO A PROBLEM.

To understand how ancient humans created technological objects, we have to think about what
kind of needs and problems they had and how they managed to create objects that could solve the
problem or satisfy the need:

Needs/problems Objects created to satisfy the need

Outdoor protection (from wild animals,
Buildings, houses, apartments…
thieves, weather adversities…)
Feeding (rotting food, diseases caused by
Refrigerator, microwave, blender…
eating raw food, digestion problems…)
Dressing (protecting from cold/hot weather,
Trousers, T-shirt, shoes…
avoiding injuries caused by brushes, stones…)
Working (create objects, join elements, do
Computer, calculator, tools…
complicated calculations…)
Transport (going from one place to another
Bus, airplane, bicycle, bridge…
faster or crossing rivers or with people…)
Communication (talk with friends or family,
Telephone, television, newspaper,
keep up to date to what happens in the
internet…
world…)
Health (avoid serious illness, protect our
X-rays, soap, syringe…
body from infections….)
Free time (relax, enjoy with friends ….) Amusement park, videogames…
Security (protect our house, family from
Alarm, lightning rod, reinforced door…
thieves, attacks….)
1.3 STAGES OF THE TECHNOLOGICAL PROCESS

The techonological process consist of various stages organised to obtain a solution to a

problem or need.

1. What do I need? What is the problem I want to solve? How do other people have
solved similar situations? What do I have to consider to give a solution to my
problem/need? (possible constraints)

Need: Analyse the need or problem and the possible constraints. Study
similar cases and their solutions

2. What can I do? Brainstorming, creativity… as many ideas as possible. Analise pros and
cons, choose the best solution among those proposed in the team.

Idea: Propose one or several solutions (brainstorming). Agree and

choose the best solution.

3. Which are the details of my idea? How can I show other people the solution proposed
in detail? Which tools do I need? How much does it cost? When does it have to be
finish? (Due date) How am I going to plan the work? (work scheudle). DESIGN
SPECIFICATIONS!!

Development of the idea: Prepare plans and measurements. Choose the

necessary tools, materials… Prepare an estimate of cost. Plan the
construction.

4. How do you make your idea real?. It is easy to make an object if the process is planned
correctly. Construction will be quicker and more efficient.

Construction: make the project real

5. Does it work? Is it easy to use? How long will the object last? What do I need to keep
the object in good condition? Are ther any risks in usin this objects? How can I improve
the object?

Evaluation/Assessment: Check, Evaluate, write a final report.

Technology, Programming and Robotics
ESO 1 CURSO 2021-2022

UNIT 1 ACTIVITIES:

1. Think about the following needs and the objects that can satisfy them: An example of
each is provided, find at least two more objects that satisfy the need (apart from those
in the contents table)

Needs Objects that satisfy the need

Outdoor protection - House
-
-
Feeding - Refrigerator
-
-
Working - Computer
-
-
Communication - Internet
-
-
Health - Soap
-
-
Free time - Videogames
-
-
Security - Alarm
-
-

2. Why do we need the following objects? Are there other objects that satisfy the same
need?
PEN CAR VACUUM CLEANER COIN

Ex. We need a pen to write things. A pencil can satisfy the same need.

We need a CAR to….

We need a VACUUM CLEANER to….

We need a COIN to….

3. Identify three problems whose solutions are objects and two problems whose
solutions are not objects.

4. Identify a Technological problem that doesn`t have a solution (at least by now), and
a Not Technological problem that doesn`t have a solution.

5. Justify if a vaccine and a computer program are technological solutions

6. You need to protect your feet from the cold. Indicate the stages you will follow to
create a technological object to solve this need
Explain what you have to do in each stage writing examples for the need you have
chosen.

NEED

IDEA

DEVELOPMENT
OF THE IDEA

CONSTRUCTION

EVALUATION