Technology

Introduction

In technology, children learn about designing and making products to solve problems and meet needs.

They should be taught about:

· Designing, producing and using products

· Techniques of production

· The use of a range of materials and components

· The diversity of technological products

· How to think about design and production

· Identifying and responding to needs, wants and opportunities

· How to evaluate materials, processes and products

· The effects of technology on people’s lives

The knowledge, skills and understanding which children gain through their study of technology can be regarded in terms of:

· Enquiry

· Design

· Production

· Materials and components

· Evaluation

THE LEARNING GOALS

Milepost 1

By the end of the school year in which they are 7, the vast majority of children will:

1.1 Know that products in everyday use have an effect on people’s lives

1.2 Be able to plan what they are going to make

1.3 Be able to describe their plans in pictures and words

1.4 Be able to use simple tools and materials to make products

1.5 Be able to choose appropriate tools and materials for their tasks

1.6 Be able to comment on their own plans and products and suggest areas of improvement

1.7 Be able to comment on the usefulness of products in everyday use

Milepost 2

By the end of the school year in which they are 9, the vast majority of children will:

2.1 Know that the way in which products in everyday use are designed and made affects their usefulness

2.2 Be able to design and make products to meet specific needs

2.3 Be able to make usable plans

2.4 Be able to make and use labelled sketches as designs

2.5 Be able to use simple tools and equipment with some accuracy

2.6 Be able to identify and implement improvements to their designs and products

2.7 Be able to identify the ways in which products in everyday use meet specific needs

2.8 Be able to suggest improvements to products in everyday use

Milepost 3

By the end of the school year in which they are 12, the vast majority of children will:

3.1 Know that technology affects people’s lives

3.2 Know how the lives of people in the host country are affected by the extent of technological advance

3.3 Know how the lives of people in their home country are affected by the extent of technological advance

3.4 Be able to respond to identified needs, wants and opportunities with informed designs and products

3.5 Be able to gather and use information to suggest solutions to problems

3.6 Be able to devise and use step-by-step plans

3.7 Be able to consider the needs of users when designing and making

3.8 Be able to select the most appropriate available tools and materials for a task

3.9 Be able to work with a variety of tools and materials with some accuracy

3.10 Be able to test and evaluate their own work and improve on it

3.11 Be able to investigate the way in which simple products in everyday use are designed and made and how they work

3.12 Be able to evaluate the effectiveness of simple products in everyday use

3.13 Understand the need for accurate design and working

3.14 Understand the ways in which technology can be used to meet needs, wants and opportunities

3.15 Understand that different techniques, tools and materials are needed for different tasks

3.16 Understand that the quality of a product depends on how well it is made and how well it meets its intended purpose

Not to be reproduced without permission