Welcome to

Technology 2007/08

Ms. Barbara Guimarães

Mr.Chris Cosgrove

Mr. Richard Sawyer

Ms. Ramona Dietrich

Computer/Design Technology

1. Department Goals

2. Design Cycle

3. Rights & Responsibilities

1. Aims

• Throughout years 7 to 11 students will use a problem solving approach to produce solutions to a number of design challenges.

• These design problems will allow students to acquire a range of skills and strategies in order for them to fully realise viable products which will meet specific needs.

MYP technology is designed to create a balance between the imparting of skills, the acquisition of techniques and knowledge, and the growth and awareness of the students’ personal responses.

• Provide a variety of technological information and ideas.

• Encourage curiosity, ingenuity, resourcefulness and discrimination.

• Develop practical skills through the creation of products/solutions.

• Foster responsibility for designs, decisions, actions and assessment.

• Develop logical-thinking skills.

As well as the knowledge necessary to work towards these aims, the students will also acquire a number of skills.

• Practical skills – the ability to complete given tasks.

• Analytical skills – the collection, interpretation and the use of information.

• Organisational skills – the planning of work and meeting deadlines.

• Social skills – the communication of ideas.

2. The Design Cycle

Investigate – Criterion A

• Investigation is an essential stage in the design cycle. Students are expected to identify the problem, develop a design brief and formulate a design specification. Students are expected to acknowledge the sources of information and document these appropriately.

Design – Criterion B

• Students are expected to generate several feasible designs that meet the design specification and to evaluate these against the design specification.

• Students are then expected to select one design, justify their choice and evaluate this in detail against the design specification.

Plan – Criterion C

• Students are expected to construct a plan to create their chosen product/solution that has a series of logical steps, and that makes effective use of resources and time.

• Students are expected to evaluate the plan and justify any modifications to the design.

Create – Criterion D

• Students are expected to document, with a series of photographs or a video and a dated record, the process of making their product/solution, including when and how they use tools, materials, and techniques. Students are expected to follow their plan, to evaluate the plan and to justify any changes they make to the plan while they are creating the product/solution.

Evaluate – Criterion E

• Students are expected to evaluate the product/solution against the design specification in an objective manner based on testing, and to evaluate its impact on life, society and/or the environment. They are expected to explain how the product/solution could be improved as a result of these evaluations.

• Students are expected to evaluate their own performance at each stage of the design cycle and to suggest ways in which their performance could be improved.

3. Community of Learning• We belong to a Community of Learning here

at St Dominics. share a common goal respect and appreciation

characteristics at the heart of St Dominic’s philosophy

Rights

Members of the St Dominic’s community have the right to: work and learn in a safe, friendly and supportive

environment expect help and respect from others in the

community come to school to learn subjects and skills which

will help them to be the best that they can be achieve the highest order of thinking become a successful and responsible citizen not be harassed or bullied in any way

ResponsibilitiesMembers of the St Dominic’s community have the responsibility to:

show respect to all other members of the school community recognise that they share the school with others who are

here to learn, to work and to be the best that they can be assist those who are trying to help others learn the skills to

be successful and responsible citizens be generous in helping every individual to feel comfortable,

to work hard and to achieve their best behave in a way that allows every individual to feel

comfortable, to work hard and to achieve their best respect the property of the school and others understand and accept the consequences of their actions not disrupt the work or learning of other members of the

community

Effective Learners

We aim for all students and teachers to share values that lead to effective learning. In an effective learning community all members: are active, attentive listeners work cooperatively and collaboratively respect and appreciate the effort, opinions and

work of others restrain impulsivity show initiative seek to communicate clearly and accurately

Organisational Skills Necessary

Members of St Dominic’s community must: Be punctual Meet deadlines Keep an accurate diary

Remember. . .

In an effort to maintain a healthy and positive working environment for all – school rules and regulations will be promptly enforced and students will be responsible for their actions.

Technology + Learning A Great Term