The Technological Knowledge Strand Explanatory Papers Updated May 2010
Technological Products
Junior Primary (NE-Year 4)
Possible learning experiences
The learning experiences suggested below have been provided to support teachers as they develop their understandings of the Technological Products component of the Technological Knowledge strand and how this could be reflected in student achievement at various levels. There is no expectation that these would form the basis of any specific unit of work in technology. The learning experiences have been written in such a way as to support student learning across a range of levels. This stance reflects the majority of classrooms where it is expected that students will demonstrate a range of levels of achievement.
In small groups, students could explore a range of technological products developed for similar functions and identify what is different about them and why this might be. For example, one group could explore a range of different brushes (toothbrushes, wire brushes, paint brushes, etc.) and establish why different materials were used for the handles and bristles to carry out different specific purposes. The students could also discuss what they think may have been done to the material in the making of the product.
Other groups could explore a range of drinking vessels (ceramic cups, takeaway cups, wine glasses, etc.), cooking utensils (wooden spatula, metal pasta spoon, plastic fish slice, etc.), skin creams (moisturisers, lip balms, sunscreens, etc.), cutting tools (scissors, knives, axes, etc.), balls (tennis, cricket, soccer, ping-pong, squash, etc.) and learn about the materials used and the performance properties they provide that allow the product to be fit for its designed purpose.Students achieving at level 1 could be expected to:
- identify the materials that a range of products are made from;
- identify the performance properties of common materials used; and
- describe how the material might have been 'worked' to make the products; for example sliced, carved, bent, moulded, sanded, etc.
Students achieving at level 2 could be expected to:
- describe the performance properties of identified materials and suggest what the material might be used for based on these properties; and
- discuss examples to suggest why materials might have been selected for use in different products.
RSS Feed