Attribute

The physical and functional nature of a technological outcome.

(Note: Attributes differ from specifications in that specifications define the physical and functional nature of the technological outcome in a measureable way. For example, an attribute may refer to the outcome being small enough to be comfortably held, whereas the specification would give the precise measurement in terms of length, width and depth.)

Functional Attribute: What an outcome, or part of an outcome, does – for example, 'provides grip', 'stores water', 'joins surfaces'.

Physical Attribute: A spatial or sensory aspect of a technological outcome – physical attributes describe how the outcome looks and feels. Examples include: 'hard', 'salty', 'spherical, 'loud', 'luminous', 'big'.

Examples:

www.techlink.org.nz/curriculum-support/Strategies/tp-brief/level3.htm

These Techlink Strategies for Engaging Students include many examples of working with attributes with students at Level 3, much of which can be applied to Levels 1 and 2.

www.techlink.org.nz/curriculum-support/Strategies/nt-outcomes/level3.htm

Identifies strategies which can be used to guide Level 1-3 students to understand the relationship between physical and functional attributes.

CP907 Production Logo – This Techlink Classroom Practice case study includes precise explanations of assessment criteria around attributes for logos in this project. Levels 3 and .

Potato Peelers – This Techlink Teaching Snapshot features a realistic teaching example looking at comparisons between functional and physical attributes. Level 3.

Handsome Hats – This Year 9 unit includes an examination of the relationship between physical and functional attributes. Level 5.