Technology education Flashcards
What is technology?
the use of knowledge, skills & resources to meet people’s needs and wants by developing practical solutions to problems, taking social and environmental factors into account.
Characteristics of technology
- human activity
- involves following technological processes
- involves using materials, tools & systems
- ever-changing
- neither good nor bad
- involves protecting the environ. while finding solutions
What is technological literacy?
one’s ability to use, manage, evaluate and understand technology
A technologically literate person…..
- understands how tech is generated within a culture
- applies knowledge to design, manufacture and use products
- understands the impact of tech on the environ.
- manages and controls tech to serve the common good
- critically questions existing ideas
Children are natural technologists. At ages 3 - 5 they….
- imitate adults
- are fascinated by objects which move/roll
- enjoy taking objects apart and putting them together again
- are curious and switch things on and off
Children aged 6 - 9….
- enjoy teamwork
- can follow simple steps
- solve complex problems
- make predictions
The outcomes of tech education in the FP
- apply technological processes & skills ethically and responsibly
- understand and apply knowledge
- demonstrate understanding of the interrelatedness of tech, science and society
Steps in the tech design process
- Investigate the problem/need
- Design (involves research and prior knowledge)
- Manufacture a prototype
- Evaluate
- Communicate findings
Technology content areas
- Materials, tools & safety
- Structures
- Systems & mechanisms
- Physical phenomena
The difference between art and technology
- art is subjective expression & mainly concerned with aesthetics
- technology focuses on functionability and critical thinking
Subsections within Structures
- Purpose & types of structures
- Natural & synthetic structures
Subsections within Systems and mechanisms
- what are systems and mechanisms
- functions of mechanisms
Subsections within physical phenomena
- forces, energy and motion
Example of technology being integrated in other subjects
- discussion about materials used to build a home and their properties (personal & social wellbeing)
- building a musical instrument from recycled materials
Classification of materials
- metal
- wood
- textiles
- stone
Tools to use in the classroom
- rulers
- pliers
- scissors
- thumb nails
- split pins
- wood glue
Properties of materials:
- brittleness
- hardness
- strength
- stiffness
- water resistance
- heat resistance
- magnetism
Three groups of structures
- frame
- shell
- solid
Functions of structures
- support
- span
- enclose
Features of a safe structure
- strong (withstand force)
- sturdy (does not lose shape)
- stable (does not fall over)
Phases of a system
- Input (force applied)
- Process (energy processed)
- Output (reaction)
Mechanisms for learners to experiment with
- gears
- screws and wedges
- levers
Mechanisms are ____
simple machines used to make work easier
Topics to discover mechanisms
- transport
- homes (building a house)
- how people lived long ago
- products and processes
What do learners need to know about mechanisms & systems?
- tech systems serve a purpose
- how simple systems & mechanisms can help people in everyday life
- which systems are suitable to meet certain requirements
What do learners need to know about materials and tools?
- people use materials to manufacture products by combining them
- materials come from natural or synthetic sources
- natural resources must be preserved
- the production of goods is brought about by the tech design process
What do learners need to know about structures?
- structures are built to meet certain needs
- structures can be used to adapt to the environment
- structures can be natural or synthetic
- structures are divided into 3 groups
With regards to forces, FP learners should….
- identify forces and discuss situations where forces are used to create movement/change
- experiment with push and pull forces
Forces can be ___ or ____
stationary or dynamic
Topics that allow learners to learn about force and movement
- transport
- sport
- weather
Two categories of sources of energy
- renewable (i.e. water)
- non-renewable (i.e. coal cannot be replaced)
Technology education
educational programmes that promote learners’ critical thinking skills when they design solutions to problems through the use of systems and the environment
