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Unit of Study DES10635 - Design and Technology Principles and Processes (2016)

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Unit Snapshot

  • Unit type

    UG Coursework Unit

  • Credit points

    12

  • AQF level

    7

  • Level of learning

    Introductory

  • Former School/College

    Former School of Education

  • Enrolment information

    N/A

Unit description

This unit will enable students to develop understanding of the structure of the Design and Technology Stage 5 and Stage 6 syllabi. The unit focuses on the development and interdisciplinary nature of design and technology and the associated industries. A holistic approach to design and technology is taken through a study of technacy, ecological sustainability and appropriate technology and the place of these in the Board of Studies syllabi. The foundational concepts of design are defined and the use of design processes as used in industry and in the Design and Technology syllabi introduced. Factors affecting design and the work of designers across a range of settings including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders are examined.

Unit content

  1. The nature of technology and design and the industries associated with them - What is design and what is a designer? - A structural view of design - Specialisations within design practice (industrial, interior, graphic) - The role of technology in design 
  2. Interdisciplinary nature of design and technology - disciplines such as mathematics, sciences, fine arts and humanities - Relationship between the disciplines - Historical perspectives - Concepts of 'good' design - A modern perspective 
  3. Holistic approach to design and technology - Technacy - Ecological sustainability, including renewable energy systems and resource conservation - Appropriate technology: Indigenous perspectives 
  4. Defining foundational concepts of design: Creativity, innovative, enterprise, ethics, social and environmental sustainability - Definitions of design concepts - How design is perceived - Design as a learning tool - Useful design and design appeal - Making design decisions 
  5. Factors influencing design including design purpose and setting, human, technical and environmental factors - Factors affecting design and production - Analysis of design products 
  6. Experimentation, evaluation and research processes - Research methods (qualitative and quantitative) - Testing and experimenting 
  7. Introduction to design processes (general introduction) - Designing for products, systems and environment - The design process in context - Application of the design process 
  8. The work of past and current designers across a range of settings including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders (including case study analysis).

Availabilities

Location Domestic International
Online Session 2 N/A

Learning outcomes and graduate attributes

Unit Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a unit. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes. The unit learning outcomes and graduate attributes are also the basis of evaluating prior learning.

On completion of this unit, students should be able to:

GA1: Intellectual rigour, GA2: Creativity, GA3: Ethical practice, GA4: Knowledge of a discipline, GA5: Lifelong learning, GA6: Communication and social skills, GA7: Cultural competence
Learning outcome count Learning outcome description GA1 GA2 GA3 GA4 GA5 GA6 GA7
1 explain the nature of design and technology and the industries associated with them
2 discuss the interdisciplinary nature of design and technology
3 apply a holistic approach when explaining the factors influencing design
4 define each of the foundation concepts of design
5 outline the processes of experimentation, evaluation and research
6 discuss the use of design processes as applied in the development of projects
7 discuss the work of designers across a range of settings including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and other Indigenous peoples.

On completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. explain the nature of design and technology and the industries associated with them
    • GA4:
  2. discuss the interdisciplinary nature of design and technology
    • GA4:
  3. apply a holistic approach when explaining the factors influencing design
    • GA3:
    • GA7:
  4. define each of the foundation concepts of design
    • GA3:
    • GA4:
    • GA7:
  5. outline the processes of experimentation, evaluation and research
    • GA3:
    • GA4:
  6. discuss the use of design processes as applied in the development of projects
    • GA3:
    • GA4:
  7. discuss the work of designers across a range of settings including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and other Indigenous peoples.
    • GA7:

Prescribed learning resources

Prescribed Texts
  • No prescribed texts.

Prescribed Learning Resources may change in future Teaching Periods.