While California has frameworks defining what concepts are necessary for understanding science, math, history-social science, and other disciplines, there has been no such framework for technology. The framework presented in this paper proposes a strategy for thriving in a future that will be strongly influenced by technology. That strategy is based on a contextual approach to understanding technology. The framework presents a hierarchy of understanding from the concrete mechanics of operation up to key concepts that endure across generations of technology and to essential questions that guide the learning process. It is complemented by a lesson plans document (available online at KnowledgeContext.org) that implements the framework approach in detail. This paper puts the California Science Framework (1990) into context and discusses drivers of technological development. It presents a hierarchy of the essential questions, key concepts, and mechanics for understanding technology and outlines benefits of this conceptual and contextual approach to understanding technology. Essential questions that are at the root of the Technology Framework are identified, and are then mapped to key concepts of technology. (AEF)