3. Thinking Skills

"Productive, purposeful and intentional thinking underpins effective learning in Technology Mandatory. Students are provided with opportunities to apply thinking skills and develop an understanding of the processes they can use as they encounter problems, unfamiliar information and new ideas.

Thinking skills are coded throughout the syllabus content. Where appropriate, teachers are encouraged to identify further opportunities to develop these skills in their students."

Technology Mandatory Years 7–8 Syllabus, Page 23

Each of these thinking approaches to problem solving and ultimately design and production has it's own process and language.......

Computational thinking – CT

Computational thinking is a process where a problem is analysed and solved so that a human, machine or computer can effectively implement the solution. It involves using strategies to organise data logically, break down problems into parts, interpret patterns and design and implement algorithms to solve problems.

Design thinking – DT

Design thinking involves a process where a need or opportunity is identified and a design solution is developed. The consideration of economic, environmental and social impacts that result from designed solutions are core to design thinking. Design thinking methods can be used when trying to understand a problem, generate ideas and refine a design based on evaluation and testing.

You might also find this video useful for a more in depth explanation of Design Thinking

Systems thinking – ST

Systems thinking is an understanding of how related objects or components interact to influence how a system functions. Students are provided with opportunities to recognise the connectedness of, and interactions between phenomena, people, places and events in local and wider contexts and to consider the impact of their decisions. Understanding the complexity of systems and the interdependence of components is important for scientific research and for the creation of solutions to technical, economic and social issues.