Technology Indicators of Progression
Components of Technological Knowledge
The Indicators of Progress within the Technological Knowledge section are divided into three components:
Technological Modelling
Technological modelling refers to modelling practices used to enhance technological developments and includes functional modelling and prototyping. Functional modelling allows for the ongoing testing of design concepts for yet-to-be-realised technological outcomes. Prototyping allows for the evaluation of the fitness for purpose of the technological outcome itself.
Through technological modelling, evidence is gathered to justify decision making within technological practice. Such modelling is crucial for the exploration of influences on the development, and for the informed prediction of the possible and probable consequences of the proposed outcome. Technological modelling is underpinned by both functional and practical reasoning. Functional reasoning focuses on 'how to make it happen' and 'how it is happening'. Practical reasoning focuses on 'should we make it happen?' and 'should it be happening?'
Decisions as a result of technological modelling may include the: termination of the development in the short or long term, continuation of the development as planned, changing/refining the design concept and/or the nature of the technological outcome before proceeding, or to proceed as planned and/or accept the prototype as fit for purpose.
Technological Products
Technological products are material in nature and exist in the world as a result of human design. Understanding the relationship between the composition of materials and their related performance properties is essential for understanding and developing technological products. Technological knowledge within this component includes the means of evaluating materials to determine appropriate use to enhance the fitness for purpose of technological products. It includes understandings of how materials can be modified and material innovation. Understanding the impact of material selection and development on the design, development, maintenance and disposal of technological products is also included.
Technological Systems
Technological systems are a set of interconnected components that serve to transform, store, transport or control materials, energy and/or information. These systems exist in the world as the result of human design and function without further human design input. Understanding how these parts work together is as important as understanding the nature of each individual part.
Technological system knowledge includes an understanding of input, output, transformation processes, and control, and an understanding the notion of the 'black box' particularly in terms of sub-system design. Understanding redundancy and reliability within system design and performance, and an understanding of the operational parameters of systems are also included. Specialised languages provide important representation and communication tools and are therefore included to support developing ideas of system design, development, maintenance and troubleshooting.
More information on each of these components can be found in the Technological Knowledge Explanatory Papers.
The Indicators of Progression for the components of Technological Knowledge can be used to guide and support formative and summative assessment, and provide a basis for reporting purposes. These were originally based on the work of Compton and France. For details of the research underpinning these components please refer to Compton V.J and France B.J. (2007). Towards a New Technological Literacy: Curriculum Development with a Difference. In Curriculum Matters 3: 2007158-175.Wellington: NZCER. The teacher guidance and indictors have been revised and further developed by Dr V Compton and A Compton as a part of the Ministry of Education funded research project: Technological Knowledge and Nature of Technology: Implications for teaching and learning.
