Underdeveloped Technology: Meaning, Characteristics and Examples for Primary 3

Hello, young learners!

Welcome back to Basic Science & Technology, Primary 3. In our previous lesson, we learned about The Forms of technology. Today, we’re going to learn about Underdeveloped Technology.

Objectives

By the end of this lesson, you should be able to:

• List examples of underdeveloped technology.
• Identify examples or products of underdeveloped technology.
• mention 4 uses of products of underdeveloped technology

Underdeveloped Technology

What is Underdeveloped Technology?

Underdeveloped technology are simple tools or machines made with basic materials and methods. They are often manual and have limited functions compared to developed technology. It is technology that was used before the development of technologies.

Characteristics of Underdeveloped Technology

Some of the main characteristics of underdeveloped technology include:

1. Simplicity: These tools are designed to be easy to use and understand.
2. Handmade: Many underdeveloped technologies are made by hand using traditional techniques.
3. No Electricity: They don’t rely on electricity to function.
4. Basic Materials: They are often made from readily available materials like wood, stone, or clay.
5. Low Cost: The materials and methods used are inexpensive, making these technologies accessible to many people.
6. Durability: These tools are often built to last, using strong materials that can withstand wear and tear.
7. Labor-Intensive: They require physical effort to operate, as they rely on human or animal power rather than machines.
8. Limited Output: The efficiency of these technologies is lower compared to modern alternatives, leading to slower production or results.
9. Old Design: The technology has a basic design and doesn’t include the latest features. It may look old-fashioned and not work as efficiently as new technology.
10. Time consuming: Making things with older technology can take longer because the tools are not as fast or efficient. This means tasks can be more time-consuming.
11. Limited Updates: The technology hasn’t improved much over time. It still uses old methods or tools that haven’t changed much.
12. Cultural Significance: Many underdeveloped technologies are tied to cultural traditions and local craftsmanship.
13. Environmentally Friendly: They typically have a low environmental impact, as they use natural materials and do not rely on industrial processes.
14. Localized Use: These technologies are often designed for specific local needs, reflecting the geography and available resources of the area.
15. Reliability: Since they don’t rely on complex machinery or electricity, they are often reliable in rural or off-grid settings.
16. Manual Operation: These tools require direct human control and interaction to function, without the assistance of automated systems.

Examples and Uses of Products of Underdeveloped Technology

There are many examples of underdeveloped technology, and they are used in various parts of the world. Some of these examples include:

1. Grinding Stones: Used for grinding grains and spices.
2. Brooms: Used for sweeping floors and cleaning.
3. Hand Fans: Used for cooling oneself on hot days.
4. Clay Pots: Used for storing water and cooking.
5. Wooden Spoons: Used for eating and stirring food.
6. Sickles: Used for harvesting crops.
7. Weaving Looms: Used for making cloth.
8. Spinning Wheels: Used for making yarn.
9. Ploughs: Used for tilling the soil.
10. Mortar and Pestle: Used for crushing or grinding spices and grains.
11. Manually Operated Water Pumps: Used for drawing water from wells.
12. Charcoal Stoves: Used for cooking with charcoal as fuel.
13. Earthen Ovens: Simple ovens made from clay for baking and cooking.
14. Hand Looms: Used for making textiles manually.
15. Hand-Pulled Rickshaws: Used for transporting people.
16. Fishing Nets: Basic nets used for catching fish.
17. Bucket and Pulley System: Used for drawing water from wells.
18. Threshing Boards: Used to separate grains from straw.
19. Stone Axes: Used for cutting wood and clearing land.
20. Horse and Donkey Carts: Used for transportation of goods.
21. Firewood Heaters: Used for heating and cooking by burning firewood.
22. Hand-Crank Radios: Simple radios powered by manual cranking.
23. Manual Typewriter: A machine for writing that requires pressing keys to create letters.
24. Abacus: A counting tool using beads for arithmetic calculations.
25. Gramophone: A device that plays music using a large disc.
26. Candlestick Telephone: A telephone using a rotary dial for making calls.
27. Phonograph: An early music player using rotating record and a needle.
28. Hand-Cranked Washing Machine: Requires turning a crank manually to wash clothes.
29. Steam Engine: An early engine that used steam to generate power.
30. Film Projector: Displays motion pictures using reels of film.
31. Oil Lamp: A lighting device using oil to produce light.
32. Black-and-White Television: Early television sets that displayed only black-and-white images.
33. Quill and Ink: Tools used for writing before modern writing instruments.
34. Wooden Plow: Used for tilling the soil for farming.
35. Traditional Water Wells: Used for collecting and storing water from the ground.
36. Manual Sewing Machine: Used for sewing clothes without electricity.
37. Woven Basket: Used for carrying and storing items, made by hand from natural fibers.
38. Analog Telephones: Used for communication over long distances using wired connections.
39. Mechanical Clocks: Used for telling time with mechanical gears and springs.
40. Simple Hand Tools (e.g., hammers, screwdrivers): Used for manual labor tasks.
41. Coal Stoves: Used for cooking and heating using coal as fuel.
42. Basic Thermometers (e.g., mercury thermometers): Used for measuring temperature using mercury.
43. Simple Mechanical Watches: Used for telling time with simple mechanical movement.

Evaluation Questions

Now that you’ve learned about underdeveloped technology, let’s see if you can answer these questions:

1. What is underdeveloped technology?
2. List three characteristics of underdeveloped technology.
3. Give three examples of underdeveloped technology and explain how they are used.
4. What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of underdeveloped technology?
5. How has technology developed over time?

Conclusion

We have learned about underdeveloped technology, its characteristics, and some examples. Remember, technology has evolved over time, and underdeveloped technology played a significant role in our history. Keep exploring and learning about the fascinating world of technology! Don’t forget to check the comments section if you have any questions, and use the navigation to move to the next lesson. See you in the next lesson!