Skills for Technology Designs
As indicated in the above stereotypical model of skills & processes of science & technology, technological invention, with reasons for designs, may be comparable to predictions about changes in dependent variables that may result from changes in independent variables in science inquiries. In science inquiries, investigators often attempt to ‘control’ (keep unchanged) all independent variables except one; but, in technology design/invention, it is typical to change several independent variables at once – to, in a sense, determine a ‘formula’ of several variable changes that may give rise to optimal sets of results. As shown at right, for instance, making a suitable tent (e.g., that is waterproof, light-weight & strong) may require a balance of uses of certain chemical, fiber weaving & fibre materials. Such designs are complex because changes in some independent variables can positively affect changes in some dependent variables, but negatively affect others. Such compromises can be problematic, such as when waterproofing is more valued than tent toxicity.