(8th) Unit 1: Intro to Technological Systems

technology

The modification of the natural world to meet human needs and wants.

system

A group of interacting parts working together to achieve a goal.

technological system

"An organized set of people, knowledge, processes, and resources that produces a technological result."

component

An individual part of a system.

subsystem

A smaller system that operates within a larger system.

input

"A resource—such as information, energy, material, time, money, or people—that enters a system."

process

The actions that transform inputs into outputs.

output

"The product, service, information, energy, or waste produced by a system."

feedback

Information returned to a system that helps control or improve its operation.

control

A method used to direct or regulate a system.

boundary

The limit that separates a system from its surroundings.

environment

The conditions and surroundings that interact with a system.

open-loop system

A system that operates without using feedback to adjust itself.

closed-loop system

A system that uses feedback to compare results with a desired condition and make adjustments.

constraint

"A limit on a solution, such as time, cost, size, safety, or materials."

criterion

A standard used to judge how well a solution succeeds.

trade-off

A compromise in which gaining one benefit may require giving up another.

efficiency

A comparison of useful output to the resources put into a system.

reliability

The ability of a system to perform consistently over time.

unintended consequence

An outcome that was not planned or expected.