The Technological Knowledge Strand Explanatory Papers Updated May 2010
Technological Products
Junior Secondary (Years 9-10)
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.
Students could listen to music and, by listening only to the sounds, attempt to identify the instruments used. They could explain how they have identified instruments in relation to what materials they think would have been capable of making the specific sounds they heard. They could undertake further research to establish what instruments were in fact used in the music and make links with how these have been brought together to create particular musical genres (for example, rock, blues, jazz, classical, etc.).
Students could then select one of these instruments, or any other they may be interested in, and determine the materials used in its construction and how this may have changed over time. Investigation into how similar sounds may have been produced in other cultures could also be undertaken and links could be made to traditional techniques of playing and instrument manufacture as based on available materials. The performance properties of the materials used could be explored in terms of how they allow the musical instrument to function in the way it does. Particular attention can be paid to the way in which the materials used were manipulated and how this allows the user to play it in certain ways.
Students can present their findings to the class and discuss the new knowledge that was required for the development of each instrument to its current form. Potential future developments of musical instruments in general could be explored and links made between materials and issues such as the skill level of the user, safe handling, maintenance and restoration of instruments, resource sustainability, and the disposal and/or collection of instruments when no longer fit for purpose.
Students achieving at level 3 could be expected to:
- describe how the selection of particular materials enabled an instrument to be crafted and played in certain ways; and
- discuss how different materials used in different cultures and times to create instruments allowed for the production of particular types of sounds.
Students achieving at level 4 could be expected to:
- explain how a musical instrument was enhanced through the way materials were manipulated;
- explain how the fitness for purpose of a musical instrument was enhanced through the formulation of a new material; and
- explain how the cleaning and ongoing care of a musical instrument has been enhanced by the use of a finishing technique that transformed a material.
Students achieving at level 5 could be expected to:
- discuss how materials used in a range of musical instruments were selected as suitable for use as related to their composition; and
- explain how materials change under different conditions, and how this impacts on their selection for use to meet the performance requirements of a musical instrument.
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