KEY KNOWLEDGE 3.2.

THE FACTORS INFLUENCING

CONTEMPORARY SOCIETAL RELATIONSHIPS
WITH OUTDOOR ENVIRONMENTS

THE EFFECTS OF DIFFERENT

TECHNOLOGIES

Learning Intention:
To identify how technologies have
changed over the last 10 15 years across
different societal relationships

To examine the effects of some of these

technologies on both humans and the
environments in which we use them.

Technology

Technology is the making, modification,

usage, and knowledge of tools, machines,
techniques, systems and methods of
organization, in order to solve a problem,
improve a pre-existing solution to a problem,
achieve a goal, or perform a specific function.

Technologies significantly affect human as

well as other animal species' ability to control
and adapt to their natural environments

KEY CONCEPT:
The ongoing development of new
technologies has influenced, and continues to
Clothing and Materials
influence the relationships that Australians
Communication and Navigation
have with outdoor environments.
Transport and Infrastructure
Developments and improvements in activity specific
equipment and safety equipment

Expeditions: (Bushwalking,
Mountaineering, Camping)
Example of technologies recreation/adventure
In your work books write down HOW these technologies have
changed in the last 10 15 years.

Tents
Protective
clothing

Footwear

OUTDOOR TRAVEL
AND LIVING

Navigation
devices

Hiking packs

Communications
Cooking
technologies

Food
Sleeping bags
Sleeping mats

How has the development of this technology

affected contemporary societal relationships
with outdoor environments?
(The way society sees the environment and its worth, the way that
individuals interact with the outdoor environmentwhat are the impacts
of this?)
Write down a response:

Has the technology detracted from, or enhanced the

relationships an individual can have with nature?
Has the technology you listed previously, made visiting
outdoor environments more comfortable? Safer? Thus more
accessible?
- What is the effect of this on the
human/nature relationship?
How does the technology impact positively/negatively on
the outdoor environment?

Penguin Research Phillip Island

Nature Park
Examples: Research and conservation technologies

Satellite and GPS tracking

A challenge for little penguin conservation and

management is to understand where penguins spend
most of their time and potential threats in the ocean
environment.
Satellite and GPS tracking allows penguin researchers to
view satellite tracking data in a video format. Tracking
the movements of little penguins at sea provides a
snapshot of marine ecosystems, as well as where
penguins go to feed. This allows us to identify changes
and manage resources in those areas better.

Penguin Research Phillip Island

Nature Park
http://www.penguins.org.au/conservation/research/penguin-research/
Electronic loggers (Diving behaviour)
Researchers use electronic loggers such as time depth recorders and accelerometers to
measure diving activity of little penguins. These loggers has uncovered important
information like the number, depth and duration of dives, and if the penguin found food.

Facts that have been discovered include:

-Middle-aged little penguins have more efficient
hunting tactics.
-Little penguins usually dive between 200 and
1,300
times per day in search of prey.
-Longest dive by a little penguin 1 minute 56
seconds
-Deepest dive by a little penguin ever recorded
72 metres

Oil Cleaning Technology

A team from Victoria University, are developing an oil wand.

The technology works by first spreading iron powder on the oil patch
of an affected seabird. The iron powder soaks up the oil.
A magnetic wand is then passed over the top of the bird's feathers to
collect the iron powder and oil.
The new technology:
Dramatically reduces the time spent cleaning
oil from feathers, and the stress seabirds are
subjected to when being cleaned with
detergent and water.

Microchips or scanners

(similar to what
your dog or cat may have, are used for
identification)
Penguin researchers scan the microchip for a
unique number and record data, such as the burrow
number of that penguin, in the new microchip
scanners. Over time researchers build a history of
individual penguins and can track any trends across
the penguin colony.

Reflection questions:

What is the effect of this technology on societal

relationship with the outdoor environment?
How has it influenced the way we see this
environment? Particularly the importance of it with
regards to management & conservation?
How has it enabled us to interact with the
environment?
Are our interactions beneficial to the environment? If
so, how?
Has this technology enabled us to have a positive
relationship with the outdoor environment?

Mt Everest Expedition

Mt Everest Expedition

Comparing technologies in 1953 (first successful summit attempt) to 2013

Crampons

2013 Mt Everest Season recap

http://www.alanarnette.com/blog/2013/06/03/everest-2013-seasonrecap/

Communications

Think and Respond

How might the experiences have differed from the

original ascent of Mt Everest to modern times?
Comfort
Safety
Performance
Accessibility (who)/Participation increased/decreased?
Degree of difficulty
How has technology changed?
How have contemporary societal relationships
changed as a result?