Technology of the Industrial Age
Driving Question: How did industrial innovations transform economic production over time?
The Industrial Revolution transformed every corner of the globe, reshaping networks, communities, and production and distribution. That transformation was largely due to the technological advancements of this period. This lesson focuses on the impacts of industrialization and, specifically, how those technological advancements affected people economically and socially.
Learning Objectives
- Describe how innovations made possible by the Industrial Revolution changed the movement of goods and people.
- Explain how technology shaped economic production over time.
Vocab Terms:
Have you ever thought about what differentiates technology and innovation? What is the relationship between those two terms?
From the steam engine to the light bulb, the inventions that emerged from the minds of innovative thinkers during the Industrial Revolution changed our lives today.
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Guiding Questions
If you’re watching OER Project videos on YouTube, you can slow things down or speed things up by going to Settings and adjusting the playback speed—a trick that’s particularly helpful to slow down fast-talking John Green in Crash Course videos.
Railroads helped spread the Industrial Revolution—and in the process, changed our notions of time and space.
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Guiding Questions
This activity requires some prep including gathering paper, markers or crayons, scissors, and tape, glue, or staplers—but it’s well worth it. Save well-designed greeting cards and send them to charities who use them as birthday and get-well cards for people in need.
This simulation is the sort of activity that students remember because it’s very hands-on. In your debrief, ask students why workers accepted these sorts of conditions and demands. It’s a great way to embed long-term learning.
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to work in manufacturing? Well, now is your chance through this simulation activity. Find out firsthand the positive—and negative—effects of industrialization!
You’ve learned about a lot of technologies in this lesson that transformed the world. Practice your claim making skills as you argue for the one you think was the most important.
Don’t skip these extension videos! They provide students with a great way to see how industrialization impacted the working classes.
Children used to be seen and not heard. Where were they seen? If they were in Victorian Britain, it was likely they would be seen working as nailers.
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Guiding Questions
Clean water is something many take for granted in the twenty-first century. In Britain during the Industrial Revolution, clean water was not a given. The steam engine would help change that.
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Guiding Questions
What can washing machines tell us about class and gender roles in the Industrial Revolution? Quite a lot, actually!
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Guiding Questions
