Technology education

Question 1

What is technology?

Answer 1

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.

Question 2

Characteristics of technology

Answer 2

• human activity
• involves following technological processes
• involves using materials, tools & systems
• ever-changing
• neither good nor bad
• involves protecting the environ. while finding solutions

Question 3

What is technological literacy?

Answer 3

one’s ability to use, manage, evaluate and understand technology

Question 4

A technologically literate person…..

Answer 4

• 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

Question 5

Children are natural technologists. At ages 3 - 5 they….

Answer 5

• 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

Question 6

Children aged 6 - 9….

Answer 6

• enjoy teamwork
• can follow simple steps
• solve complex problems
• make predictions

Question 7

The outcomes of tech education in the FP

Answer 7

• apply technological processes & skills ethically and responsibly
• understand and apply knowledge
• demonstrate understanding of the interrelatedness of tech, science and society

Question 8

Steps in the tech design process

Answer 8

1. Investigate the problem/need
2. Design (involves research and prior knowledge)
3. Manufacture a prototype
4. Evaluate
5. Communicate findings

Question 9

Technology content areas

Answer 9

• Materials, tools & safety
• Structures
• Systems & mechanisms
• Physical phenomena

Question 10

The difference between art and technology

Answer 10

• art is subjective expression & mainly concerned with aesthetics
• technology focuses on functionability and critical thinking

Question 11

Subsections within Structures

Answer 11

• Purpose & types of structures

- Natural & synthetic structures

Question 12

Subsections within Systems and mechanisms

Answer 12

• what are systems and mechanisms

- functions of mechanisms

Question 13

Subsections within physical phenomena

Answer 13

• forces, energy and motion

Question 14

Example of technology being integrated in other subjects

Answer 14

• discussion about materials used to build a home and their properties (personal & social wellbeing)
• building a musical instrument from recycled materials

Question 15

Classification of materials

Answer 15

• metal
• wood
• textiles
• stone

Question 16

Tools to use in the classroom

Answer 16

• rulers
• pliers
• scissors
• thumb nails
• split pins
• wood glue

Question 17

Properties of materials:

Answer 17

• brittleness
• hardness
• strength
• stiffness
• water resistance
• heat resistance
• magnetism

Question 18

Three groups of structures

Answer 18

• frame
• shell
• solid

Question 19

Functions of structures

Answer 19

• support
• span
• enclose

Question 20

Features of a safe structure

Answer 20

• strong (withstand force)
• sturdy (does not lose shape)
• stable (does not fall over)

Question 21

Phases of a system

Answer 21

1. Input (force applied)
2. Process (energy processed)
3. Output (reaction)

Question 22

Mechanisms for learners to experiment with

Answer 22

• gears
• screws and wedges
• levers

Question 23

Mechanisms are ____

Answer 23

simple machines used to make work easier

Question 24

Topics to discover mechanisms

Answer 24

• transport
• homes (building a house)
• how people lived long ago
• products and processes

Question 25

What do learners need to know about mechanisms & systems?

Answer 25

• tech systems serve a purpose
• how simple systems & mechanisms can help people in everyday life
• which systems are suitable to meet certain requirements

Question 26

What do learners need to know about materials and tools?

Answer 26

• 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

Question 27

What do learners need to know about structures?

Answer 27

• 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

Question 28

With regards to forces, FP learners should….

Answer 28

• identify forces and discuss situations where forces are used to create movement/change
• experiment with push and pull forces

Question 29

Forces can be ___ or ____

Answer 29

stationary or dynamic

Question 30

Topics that allow learners to learn about force and movement

Answer 30

• transport
• sport
• weather

Question 31

Two categories of sources of energy

Answer 31

• renewable (i.e. water)

- non-renewable (i.e. coal cannot be replaced)

Question 32

Technology education

Answer 32

educational programmes that promote learners’ critical thinking skills when they design solutions to problems through the use of systems and the environment