The first portion of this book’s title, The Nature of Technology, may appear odd to
readers. Articles, books and other information media abound addressing particular
technologies and how to use them. This book has a different and more important
purpose. Meaningful technology education is far more than learning how to use
technology. It includes an understanding of what technology is, how and why
technology is developed, how individuals and society direct, react to, and are
sometimes unwittingly changed by technology. In this book we place these and other
questions regarding the nature of technology in the context of learning, teaching
and schooling. Our intent is to introduce educators to the nature of technology, its
relevance to teaching and learning, and how they can effectively teach students
about the social and ethical issues that are always present with technology