The document discusses the history and development of the wheel and how it has impacted transportation technologies over time. It explores how the wheel evolved from simple log rollers to carts with wheels and axles, and finally to modern transportation methods used today. The document also discusses how shoebox dioramas can be used in primary school classrooms to teach design technology concepts and showcase different transportation methods and their role in society over history.

1. Design
Technology
in Primary
Schools
A Presentation by
Sheila (Shai) Coggins, Tiffany Dayman ,
Rachelle Kennedy, Stacey Cooper

2. The Idea
The group asked: What are the
different technologies that affect
the way students attend primary
schools over the years?
Favourite answer: The wheel!
(Shoes came second, so we decided
to use shoeboxes for our exhibit.
)

3. What about the wheel?
•The evolution of the wheel
happened over many years. It is not
a new idea.
•Its use is not confined to a
particular nation or country and it
benefits all genders.
•It affects modes of transportation
and other inventions (spinning
wheels, etc).
•It shows that technology is about
improving the human condition.

4. Off to school with no wheels…

5. The Walking
Solution
• Without wheels and
transportation, students need to
walk to school.
Great Not-so-Great
Live near school Live far from
school
Fine day Rainy or too hot
Light bags Heavy bags

6. Development of the Functional
Wheel…
“This is too heavy…”
 Humans realised that objects
may be carried easier and
faster when a round object is
placed under it and the object
is rolled over it…
 Discovery of sledge and log
rollers…
 Humans used several logs or
rollers in a row, dragging the
sledge over one roller to the
next…

7. If students had to go to school in
sledge and log rollers…

8. The Sledge + Log
Roller Solution
• Not so simple for long journeys.
•Not a viable transportation
solution for humans.
• Humans discovered that with
time, the sledges started to wear
grooves into the rollers. The
grooved rollers worked better, as
they carried objects further.
• Rollers became wheels and
humans cut away the wood
between the two inner grooves =
Invention of the first primitive
axles!

9. The First Carts…
Using wheels and
axles…
 Wooden pegs were used to fix
the sledge, so that when
rested on the rollers, they did
not move, but allowed the
axles to turn in-between the
pegs.
 Improvements were made.
 Pegs replaced with holes
carved in to the cart frame.
Axles were placed through the
holes. Wheels were attached
to both sides of the axle.

10. Students going to school in
carts…

11. The Cart and
Wheels Solution
• From the first carts came the
development of fixed axles.
•Fixed axle: The axles did not turn
but solidly connected to the cart
frame. Only the wheels revolved
by being fitted on to the axle in a
way that allowed the wheels to
rotate.
•Wheel became a complete
invention.
•The rest are just improvements to
the wheel...

12. Behold, the modern wheel…
Cars and everything else
that moves…
 Tyres (tires) were developed to fit
around wheels to protect them and
enhance their function. They
enabled better vehicle performance
by providing traction and load
support.
 The invention of the wheel has also
been important for technology in
general.
 Important applications include:
water wheel, cogwheel, and
spinning wheel, etc. More modern
descendants of the wheel include
the propeller, the jet engine, and
the turbine, etc.

13. How students can go to school
with wheels and transportation…

14. The Modern
Wheels Solution
• Enable students to travel
anywhere to learn… by train,
aeroplane, bicycle, bus, etc.
•Further, faster, easier, more
convenient…

15. Shoebox Dioramas and the
Primary School Classroom
What are shoebox
dioramas?
 Diorama comes from Greek
roots di- quot;throughquot; + orama
quot;that which is seen, a sight.” It
means quot;a small-scale replica of a
scene”. It dates back to 1902.
 They are simple projects that
may be used in the primary
school classroom to depict
various subject matters.
 Sample materials: boxes, sand,
cardboard, paint, miniature
toys, paper, sticks, cotton balls,
found objects, etc.

16. Design Technology and our
Shoebox Dioramas
What we’re trying to say…
 Hanging Objects –
Design(Technology to be
reflected in the next diorama.)
 Moving Matters/People –
Critique(Thinking about the
current technology.)
 Background – Make
(Creating the technology in the
next diorama.)

17. Shoebox Dioramas and Design
Technology
Why introduce shoebox dioramas in design
technology classes?
 The three main aspects of design
technology is always used when
creating shoebox dioramas: Design,
Critique, and Make.
 3D aspects and use of ‘moving
matters’ (pulleys, motors, etc)
 Simple to introduce to all student
levels
 Encourage collaborative learning
 Ability to use in cross-curricular
approach
 Good teaching/learning tool

18. Extended Ideas for Teaching
Design Technology
• Study of wheels and different
modes of transportation
• Learn about other technologies
that were based on the invention of
wheels
• Historical study of various
inventions/technologies
• Find different ways to enhance
dioramas through ‘moving matters’
• Create full scale dioramas based on
topics of study

19. References
•How to make a shoebox diorama –
http://www.stormthecastle.com/shoebox_diorama/shoebox_diorama_main.htm
• Making a Shoebox Diorama –
http://www.squidoo.com/shoebox-diorama
• The Invention of the Wheel –
http://inventors.about.com/od/wstartinventions/a/wheel.htm
• Tire / Tyre – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tire
• Wheel - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wheel
• Wheel History: The Invention of the Wheel -
http://www.ideafinder.com/history/inventions/wheel.htm