Tech for Good · Term 3

Technology Then and Now

Comparing how people did things in the past with how we use technology today.

About This Topic

Technology Then and Now is a fascinating look at how human needs have stayed the same while our tools have changed. In Year 1, students compare historical technologies (like slate boards or rotary phones) with modern ones. This aligns with ACARA's requirement for students to identify how common digital systems have changed over time and how they meet the needs of users.

This topic is a perfect opportunity to explore the deep history of technology in Australia. We can discuss how First Nations peoples have used sophisticated technologies for thousands of years, such as fish traps, boomerangs, and fire-stick farming. Comparing these enduring technologies with rapidly changing digital tools helps students appreciate human ingenuity. This topic thrives when students can handle 'old' objects and interview older generations.

Learning Objectives

• Compare the functions of historical communication tools with modern digital messaging systems.
• Explain how the design of a rotary phone differs from a smartphone.
• Identify changes in learning activities at school due to the introduction of computers.
• Analyze the advantages and disadvantages of using a quill pen versus a keyboard for writing.

Before You Start

Objects in Our Environment

Why: Students need to be able to identify and name common objects before they can compare them across different time periods.

Basic Needs of People

Why: Understanding fundamental human needs like communication and learning helps students grasp why technologies were developed and how they serve these needs.

Key Vocabulary

Rotary phone	An old type of telephone that used a dial with holes for each number, which you turned to make a call.
Slate board	A small, flat piece of dark material, often slate, used for writing on with chalk in schools before paper notebooks were common.
Typewriter	A machine with keys that you press to print letters onto paper, used for writing documents before computers.
Digital system	A system that uses electronic parts, like computers or tablets, to store, send, or receive information.

Active Learning Ideas

Gallery Walk: The Tech Museum

Set up a 'museum' with old items (a cassette tape, a film camera, a paper map) next to modern ones (a tablet). Students walk around and guess how the 'old' one worked.

⏱ 30 min·Whole Class

Generate mission

Think-Pair-Share: Grandparent's School

Students imagine what their grandparents used to write with. They share their ideas with a partner and then compare a photo of an old classroom with their own.

⏱ 15 min·Pairs

Generate mission

Simulation Game: The Message Race

One group 'sends a message' by writing a letter and walking it across the school. Another group 'sends' a digital message (with teacher help). They discuss the pros and cons of each.

⏱ 40 min·Small Groups

Generate mission

Real-World Connections

Museum curators at the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney use historical artifacts like old telephones and typewriters to explain how technology has evolved and impacted daily life for Australians.

Grandparents or older family members can share personal stories about using technologies like letter writing or early computers, providing firsthand accounts of technological change.

Libraries often have sections dedicated to local history, showcasing items like old school slates or early communication devices that students can observe.

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

Old technology was 'bad' or 'dumb'.

What to Teach Instead

Students often think newer is always better. By exploring how a boomerang is perfectly designed for its task, we can teach them that technology is about 'fitness for purpose', not just how many batteries it has.

Common Misconception

Technology only means things with screens.

What to Teach Instead

Students often have a narrow definition of tech. Showing them that a spoon, a wheel, or a basket is also technology helps them see the broader history of human invention.

Assessment Ideas

Quick Check

Show students pictures of a rotary phone and a smartphone. Ask them to point to the object that is older and explain one way they are different in how they work.

Exit Ticket

Give each student a card with a picture of a historical technology (e.g., a typewriter) and a modern equivalent (e.g., a laptop). Ask them to draw one line connecting them and write one sentence about how they are similar or different.

Discussion Prompt

Ask students: 'Imagine you need to tell your friend a secret quickly. Would you rather use a letter, a rotary phone, or a smartphone? Why?' Listen for their reasoning based on speed and ease of use.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I explain 'technology' to Year 1?

Technology is anything that people have designed and made to solve a problem or make a task easier. It's not just computers; it's also pencils, shoes, and bicycles!

How can I include Indigenous technology?

Focus on inventions like the woomera (spear thrower) or sophisticated stone tools. Explain that these were the 'high-tech' tools of their time and are still admired for their brilliant design today.

How can active learning help students understand tech history?

Active learning, like the 'Message Race', allows students to feel the 'friction' of old technology. When they physically experience how long it takes to deliver a paper message, they gain a genuine appreciation for the speed of digital tools. This experiential learning creates a much deeper understanding of 'impact' than just looking at dates on a timeline.

What are some good 'old' technologies to show?

Look for tactile things: a typewriter, a corded phone, a physical dictionary, or a Walkman. Anything that has buttons, dials, or moving parts is highly engaging for Year 1 students.