Year Eight Technology (Mandatory)
The TAS faculty provides an exciting and engaging program for students during Year 8 at Wadalba Community School. The programs we have put in place aim to continue the concepts taught during Year 7 Technology (Mandatory), and prepare students for the variety of design based subjects on offer during Stage 5.
During Year 8, students will complete 100 hours of technology lessons, covering two specific units. These units have the core aim of consolidating and enhancing student knowledge of the ‘design process' and the skills necessary to successfully design a system, product or built environment. The units are:
Timber Technology
This unit is conducted over 2 terms and requires students to utilise the design process to design and construct a storage box and gum ball machine. This projects must be designed with consideration of factors which lead to successful design. Students will be required to complete a scaffolded design folio. The school will provide certain materials including timber, clock mechanisms, plastics and fasteners. The unit aims to encourage students to utilise the design process to design and construct a unique product with minimal design limitations. This will require effective time and resource management, enhanced creativity and sketching skills, the development of practical skills in the workshop, and strict adherence to TAS WH&S workshop policies. These qualities are all essential for success in future TAS subjects, a variety of other KLAs, and life outside of the school environment.
Elements of the Timber focus in Technology Mandatory are adapted from Stage 5 courses; Industrial Technology Timber, Industrial Technology Building and Construction & Graphics Technology.
Food Technology
This unit is also conducted over 2 terms and requires students to utilise the design process to design a unique restaurant, and associated marketing tools. Students will also be required to prepare and create a variety of prescribed meals as part of the practical component of the unit. Activities include: the selection of a theme for the restaurant, the design and creation of menus, logos, business cards, uniforms (aprons), posters, floor plans, and prototype models. The unit aims to encourage students to utilise the design process to design and construct a unique themed restaurant and marketing paraphernalia, while developing practical skills in the areas of cooking and textiles.
Elements of the Food focus in Technology Mandatory are adapted from Stage 5 courses; Food Technology & Graphics Technology.
The following is an extract from the ‘Technology (mandatory)' rationale found in the Technology (mandatory) syllabus, and provides an in depth description of the philosophies on which our Technology programs are built:
"Technology and an understanding of design processes enable people to manage, interpret, shape and alter their environment to improve their quality of life at home, school, in work places and in the broader community. The rapid rate of technological change in an increasingly knowledge-based society highlights the need for flexible technological capability, innovative thinking and effective communication skills.
Technology education integrates both procedural and conceptual knowledge based on a holistic view of design. Students identify needs that have personal relevance, apply design theory and use design processes that encourage flexibility, resourcefulness and imagination in the development, communication and production of quality solutions.
Students learn about technologies and use a range of materials, tools and techniques relevant to the personal, commercial and global areas of human activity. Technologies assume increased importance when they are applied to solve real problems and to create ideas and solutions in response to needs and opportunities for customers, clients or themselves. They can be used to add functional, aesthetic and environmental value to products.
Students can further develop a fascination with, and enjoyment of, innovating and creating through making decisions and in their production of working solutions. They will experience a core of design processes and technological experiences. In the broader community, the application of this process can involve the consideration of factors relating to organisations, people, environments, sustainability, appropriateness, materials, machines and equipment, systems, communication infrastructures, social and ethical solutions.
Thinking skills are developed experientially through the Technology (Mandatory) course as students design and make. The use of reflective, flexible and creative thinking skills are encouraged to build understanding of underlying principles that can be transferred to different project settings and applications. Study in technology develops skills in enterprise and initiative. Through practical experience it leads students to develop, select and apply technological skills involved in designing and producing. This includes processes of analysing, planning, producing, evaluating and maintaining the material and information needs of our society. Technology (Mandatory) builds on Science and Technology K–6 and is the foundation course in Secondary education that provides broad experience in a range of contexts that can be further explored in Technology elective courses 7–10 and Stage 6.
The development of knowledge, skills and understanding gained through study of Technology (Mandatory) will enable students to contribute positively to Australia's future. They will be given opportunities to learn how to function safely in a working environment and in a society driven by rapid technological change, communication and in a global society with increasingly competitive knowledge-driven economies.
The capacity to solve problems and generate ideas through the use of new conceptual approaches, models, drawings and information and communication technologies, and the ability to develop, produce and implement quality solutions are keys to technological competence. These know-why and know-how capabilities often distinguish leading companies, innovators and regions from their competitors.
Students will be prepared for lifelong learning and career opportunities in the study of design and related fields. They will be given further opportunity to develop an inspired interest in developing innovative solutions, an appreciation of, and satisfaction in producing products and projects of enduring functional quality. Students will learn to meet the requirements of an identified need through a design brief."