Context

'Context' in Technology education can refer to the overall focus of a technological development or to describe a technological learning experience. 

The 'context' of a technological development refers to its wider physical and social environment. For example:

• The context of Zambesi's work was that of rebranding an airline with a focus on the manipulation of information.
• The context of wind generation is sustainable energy generation with a focus on the storage and control of energy.
• The context of a packaged scallop product is marketable food products with a focus on the manipulation, transport and storage of material and information.

When talking about the context of a technological learning experience the term refers to all the aspects that must be thought about to situate the learning. For example:

• The context in Jo's Seating project was outdoor seating within a school environment with a focus on aesthetics, robustness and vandal-proofing.
• The context in ICT programming was programme development in ICT with a focus on the control and storage of information.
• The context in Hairs your Gift was hair care with a focus on the manipulation and storage of materials.

To ensure that the contexts chosen provide for a range of diverse learning opportunities, programmes should include contexts in both senses as explained above. These contexts should cover a range of transformations associated with technology. That is, the transformation of energy, information and/or materials for the purpose of manipulation, storage, transport and/or control.

Example: CellSense™ – A World's First – This Techlink Technologists' Practice case study clearly identifies the contexts of the technological development and outcome.