User:Techmonkeys/sandbox

Inter-Technology: The process of using hardware, software, and other types of technology when navigating from one application or platform to another. When you navigate from one type of technology to another to perform a task you are then using inter-technology. “Inter-Technology” can be though of as those spaces that exist among different software, hardware, and networks. It can also be referred to as “bridge technology”. As such, it is important to consider this concept in addition to what can be referred to as “Intra-Technology” where the focus is on learning about one specific application. For example, if an individual is working with a statistical software package that only works on a pc platform but wishes to export results to a Mac platform for presentation, it requires knowledge of how to affect this transfer. In addition, if this same individual wishes to use a database to analyze what is housed on a website and present it to others, he or she must know how to download the data, access the data using appropriate software such as SPSS, and then use a computer and projector to display the data or create an interpretation of the data using software such as PowerPoint. Another example of Inter-Technology is copying an image from a digital camera to your computer and then pasting it into Microsoft Word. When performing this latter procedure, you are using the technology of the USB port to connect the digital camera to the computer, and then using the computer's operating system to copy the image from the digital camera to your hard drive. Once you have the image copied to your hard drive, you then navigate by using the computer's Start Menu to browse to Microsoft Word. When the application is launched you then use your computer's operating system to paste it into Microsoft Word. These are just two examples and do not include the various combinations and loops that can exist among hardware, software, and networks when investigating problems. We believe that the greatest value of the term Inter Technology is that it can create awareness among developers, trainers, and users of technology that can result in better integrated approaches for conceptualizing and solving problems. Perhaps Inter-Technology can best be thought of as a heuristic device, mindset, or advance organizer for dealing with relatively complex tasks. While many individuals accomplish Inter-Technology tasks everyday, we think by unpacking and explicitly identifying the components of Inter-Technology that a new paradigm may emerge that could result in different and more creative ways to think about technology.

Bernauer - Gribschaw II - Tomei