This document discusses teaching technology from a South African context. It focuses on developing design skills through the technology subject. The goals of the subject are to develop design skills to solve problems, understand technology concepts, and appreciate the interaction between technology and society. Technological literacy is defined as the ability to use, manage, assess and understand technology. The document discusses who designers are and outlines the development of design skills from grades 7-9. It describes the stages of the design process and why it is important for structuring technological activities. A list of items for teaching design skills is also provided.

1. TEACHING TECHNOLOGY FROM A SOUTH
AFRICAN CONTEXT
DESIGN SKILLS

2. SPECIFIC AIMS OF SENIOR PHASE TECHNOLOGY SUBJECT
Technology as a subject contributes towards learners’ technological
literacy by giving them opportunities to:
 Develop and apply design skills to solve technological problems.
 Understand the concepts and knowledge used in Technology
Education and use them responsibly and purposefully
 Appreciate the interaction between people’s values and attitudes,
technology, society and the environment

3. WHAT IS TECHNOLOGICAL LITERACY?
Technological literacy can be defined as
having the ability to use, manage, assess and
understand technological products and
systems.

4. WHO IS A DESIGNER?
Electrical engineer Mechanical engineer

5. WHO IS A DESIGNER?
Civil engineers Electrical engineers

6. DESIGN SKILLS IN SENIOR PHASE TECHNOLOGY SUBJECT
Grades 7-9
Initial ideas
Free-hand sketches (2d shapes and 3D
objects)
Design Brief with Specifications and
Constraints
Plan using systems diagram
Trial modelling
Budget

7. THE DEVELOPMENT OF DESIGN SKILLS

8. DEVELOPMENT OF DESIGN SKILLS

9. DEVELOPMENT OF DESIGN SKILLS

10. THE DESIGN PROCESS
Stages of the design process
communicate
investigate
design
make
evaluate
Why the design process?
 The design process is the foundation for all
technological activity
 The design process forms the backbone of the
subject
 The design process should be used to structure the
delivery of all learning aims
 Practical Assessment Task (Mini-PAT) covers
aspects of the design process
 The design process requires the use of a variety of
strategies
 The design process requires hands-on abilities

11. ACTIVITIES FOR TEACHING DESIGN SKILLS
List of items
Wires
Switch
Bulb
Battery
Nails
Board
Lamp holder

12. ACTIVITIES FOR TEACHING DESIGN SKILLS