TEK_DIK3

30. Over the past two modules, our readings and discussions have focused on establishing a baseline for understanding technology. In this module, we begin our tour through the four lenses, beginning with history. As we dive into the four lenses, keep in mind that each lens is framed as a way of seeing the social, cultural, or global event where a technology plays a significant role, not necessarily tied to the associated discipline. So looking through the historical lens isn’t just about History Channel documentaries, but about how you use this lens to understand the past and present.
Each discussion is meant to be a collaborative space for conversation in which to process the concepts within the course. To ensure an interesting and respectful discussion, you are encouraged to think creatively about your initial posts and build upon the points made by your peers. Discussing challenges that face our world often means investigating opinions and ideas different from your own. Remember to remain thoughtful and respectful towards your peers and instructor in your discussion post and replies. It is also important to review the module resources and read the prompts in their entirety before participating in the discussion.
Address the following:
1. How does looking through the history lens enhance your understanding of the role of technology in society?
2. Consider a current event involving technology in the news that has a historical counterpart, at least 20 years in the past. How does looking through the history lens help you to connect and analyze both the current and historical events? Please share a news link to your events.
3. How does analyzing the relationship between history, culture, and technology influence your discipline of study, chosen profession, or personal experiences?
4. Compare and contrast your answers to further everyone’s understanding of technology and the lens of history.

A historical view of technology and society is about looking at the historical and cultural background that we judge our fellow humans (Pelzel 2022). One of these concepts that is discussed in this article “time,” which has changed profoundly through technological advances in the way we define it, how we interpret it, and the way we structure our lives. When we consider “time” by looking through the lens of the past, we are able to understand how the beliefs and customs from the past have shaped our current. The ancient Egyptians initially used days to measure the time and later, added the notions of hours, seconds , and minutes (Pelzel 2022). Certain cultures, such as the Romans were able to consider the time of day at which it was sun-like above the earth to be noon. Other cultures similar to the Egyptians considered midnight to be noon (Pelzel 2022). What we can learn from the intersection of technology and society in the realm of “time” is that we as a species not only experience “time” when it happens as it unfolds; we also quantify and create it based on our beliefs and assumptions. Cont…