All Modules 18-Design and Technology - Module 3 | Page 8

What the theme is about
This monthly topic endows learners to apply
knowledge, experiences and resources purposefully to
critique, design and make products, processes and
systems. These are created to solve a problem or meet a
need. Some examples of current technologies include
housing, household, products and appliances, electronic
equipment, tools, children’s toys and countless other.
Certainly, all these can improve our daily lives and
empower people in numerous ways.
Undoubtedly, students can use technology to actively participate in activities in a variety of
subject areas, including language arts, math, science, art and social studies. Incorporating
technology into the classroom with any of these subjects is a significant way to begin the technological
journey and enhance children’s understanding that we use tools to solve problems. Before we start
planning we need to distinguish the real purpose of technology. Technology should not be seen as
teaching substitute, but rather as a valuable aid that welcomes children to new ways of thinking and
learning; and above all it’s a great opening to resources that our students will possibly use in the
future. In order to get the maximum benefit from technology, the best classrooms integrate technology
into regular lessons that develop students’ higher order thinking skills, promote creativity, and
facilitate academic learning.
The design process is essential to the development and understanding of technology, and
children are exposed to rich variety of strategies. Designing uses imagination, creativity, risk-taking
and problem-solving to investigate, plan, generate, synthesise and realise ideas. The target might be to
design and produce a completely new technology but it may also mean making an existing product,
process or system improved. Analysing variables and identifying options possible solutions are
explored, and thoughts and processes are recorded and communicated.