The Rise of Technology

Social Studies American History The United States in the 20th Century The Rise of Technology
Students name a cutting edge technology. Then they learn about the economic shift in American from heavy industry to technology and the service industry. Next they examine technologies developed by NASA and reflect on the relationship between competition and innovation. Finally they explore a timeline of innovations from 1950–2000 and write a statement about how a selected innovation contributed to economic growth and its social impact in the United States.

This learning experience is designed for device-enabled classrooms. The teacher guides the lesson, and students use embedded resources, social media skills, and critical thinking skills to actively participate. To get access to a free version of the complete lesson, sign up for an exploros account.

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Overview

In this experience, students consider what makes a technology “cutting edge”. Then they learn about the economic shift in America from heavy industry to technology and the service industry. Next they examine technologies developed by NASA and reflect on the relationship between competition and innovation. Finally they explore a timeline of innovations from 1950–2000 and write a statement about how a selected innovation contributed to economic growth and its social impact in the United States.

Estimated duration: 35-45 minutes

Vocabulary words:

  • complex
  • component
  • mainframe
  • application
  • funded
  • transistor

Objectives

  • Describe technological innovations of the latter twentieth century
  • Explain the contribution of the Space Race to technological innovation
  • Analyze the economic and social impact of technology on the United States


Engage


Technology includes the tools and methods people create to solve problems and accomplish tasks. People around the world have developed technologies for thousands of years, beginning with simple tools used by early humans.

During the late 1800s and early 1900s, developments such as electric power, airplanes, and gasoline-powered vehicles changed transportation, communication, work, and daily life. Later in the twentieth century, electronics and computers brought another period of rapid technological change.

In this lesson, you will learn about the rise of “high-tech,” a term often used for advanced and rapidly changing technologies, especially electronics and computers.

Objectives

  • Describe technological innovations of the latter twentieth century
  • Explain the contribution of the Space Race to technological innovation
  • Analyze the economic and social impact of technology on the United States


drawing labeled “cutting edge” with sketches of a circuit board, a microscope, a computer screen, and more

Hi-tech is often technology that is at the cutting edge: the most advanced technology available. It can be defined as either the most complex or the newest technology on the market.


Name a cutting edge technology that you’ve seen in the world around you. To list more than one separate them with a coma like this: dog, cat.

Post your answer

Sample answers: self-driving cars, wearable devices, artificial intelligence

Ask students what they notice about the cloud and use this as an opportunity to further define what technology is and how they as a class define “cutting edge”.


When everyone is ready to continue, unlock the next scene.


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