2. Design Process

Design and Production Process

"The practical nature of Design and Production engages students in critical and creative thinking, including understanding interrelationships between systems when solving complex problems. Design and Production enables students to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of technology through consideration of how solutions are created to enable preferred futures. Students should be provided with opportunities to identify the potential benefits and risks of creating solutions. Design and Production is not necessarily a linear process. It should involve a systematic approach to research, problem-solving, prototyping and evaluation to provide opportunities for students to learn about the value of planning and reviewing processes as they produce designed solutions.

The Technology Mandatory syllabus content in each context has been structured using the following Design and Production processes:

Identifying and defining

Students reflect on design solutions, explore needs and opportunities, and evaluate the purpose and operation of technologies. Students:

 question and review existing products, processes and systems as they consider the future needs of society

 investigate problems and opportunities considering function, economic, environmental, social, technical and/or usability constraints

 develop criteria to evaluate design ideas, processes and solutions.

Researching and planning

Students should be provided with opportunities to conduct research, generate and communicate ideas, and develop project management skills. They should be encouraged to be creative, propose new approaches to problems and explore new design opportunities.

Students:

 investigate, select and justify the use of a range of tools, materials, components, equipment and processes

 develop, test and communicate design ideas using appropriate technical terms and technologies

 use graphical representation techniques including drawing, sketching, storyboarding and/or modelling

 design and represent algorithms and steps for the development of design solutions

 develop plans to safely manage the production of design solutions.

Producing and implementing

Students should be provided with opportunities to learn about and apply a variety of skills and techniques to produce products, services and/or environments to meet specific purposes and user needs.

Students:

 safely use a range of tools, materials, components, equipment and processes in the production of design solutions

 individually and collaboratively manage the production of designed solutions

 implement and modify user interfaces

 plan and manage projects that involve communicating ideas and sharing information online.

Testing and evaluating

Students should be provided with opportunities to evaluate and make judgements throughout design and production about the quality and effectiveness of their designed solutions and those of others.

Students:

 evaluate design solutions against the developed criteria

 evaluate the effectiveness and suitability of choices made during the development and production of the solution."

Pages 22-23 (New) Technology Mandatory Years 7–8 Syllabus

How do you currently teach the design process?