Technological modelling
The purpose of Technological modelling is to support students to test their design ideas, make decisions to make them more successful, and begin to understand the wider impact of their outcome.
There are two types of technological modelling:
- Functional modelling is the ongoing testing of design concepts (ideas) to see if they work/function as intended
- Prototyping (literally, “creating the first of a kind”) is the realisation of a fully functioning model using the actual materials
Taken together, the two types of modelling provide evidence of factors that may impact on, and consequences that may result from, the student developing a technological outcome.
When students undertake Technological modelling you should see two kinds of reasoning or critical thinking:
- Functional reasoning – how to make it happen, how it is happening
- Practical reasoning – should we make it happen? should it be happening?
Technological modelling: Key ideas (Word 2007, 60 KB)
Acknowledgment: This paper is derived from an earlier version by Dr Vicki Compton and Cliff Harwood.