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  • Question

    Still confused about key attributes! I hear about 'functional attributes' and 'physical attributes'. I used to think that 'performance specifications' took care of everything. I think that it is difficult for some students to grasp these concepts. Please explain these in terms which I will be able to put across to my student, using 3D examples.

    Answer

    'Functional attributes' refers to those characteristics that describe what a product (technological outcome) ‘does’ or ‘how it is to function’. Examples of functional attributes for a potato peeler could include attributes such as: able to peel a potato, able to be washed in a dishwasher, blade swivels.

    ‘Physical attributes’ describe what the product ‘looks like’, feels like, smells like etc. For example in the case of a potato peeler physical attributes could include: shaped to look like a potato, handle soft and spongy.

    Each of these (functional attributes and physical attributes) can be refined into specifications that define the physical and/or functional requirements of the outcome in terms that allow them to be measured (i.e. enable a technological outcome’s ‘fitness for purpose’ to be determined). In the case of a potato peeler specifications focused on function could be: peel thickness removed from the potato to be between 1.2 -1.5mm; blade to swivel 90 degrees. Examples of specifications that describe the physical requirements of a potato peeler could be: handle made from sky blue or lime green PVC; blade made from T304 stainless steel.

  • Question

    In AS91066, Use rendering techniques to communicate the form of design ideas, does the paper have to be white? If a student had designed a yellow letterbox for example, would it be fine if they rendered their work on yellow paper?

    Answer

    White paper is not a restriction. In fact coloured paper for rendering is an acceptable practice and often allows the student to show stronger highlights and shadows. Buff coloured paper, for instance, is easier on the eye than white paper and often helps students with dyslexia to see shapes with more ease, plus it is often easier for all students’ to use. White paper is often too “precious” and can stop students being more expressive. Another suggestion is to use coloured paper with a high GSM. Photocopy paper has a GSM of 80 gms. A paper with 130 to 160 gsm is a good rendering paper and allows students to build up colour without the paper buckling.

  • Question

    After a TENZ Skype session with the moderators of technology we were told that this forum had a couple of excellent explanations for the "fitness for purpose in the broadest sense". Relating to 3.3 and 3.4. However, I don't seem to be able to locate them – could you please direct my search and then I can share it with others.

    Answer

    Entering "fitness for purpose in its broadest sense" in the keywords search brings up the following result: Search resultTwo answers in this search give the detailed questions and answers for this concept – one in textiles, the other in digital.

  • Question

    Our school has decided to look at Generic Technology 1.12 as a guiding document on the development of process in a manufacturing context. This works well under Construction and Food Technology. However, I am trying to figure out how to put this in a Digital Technologies context to help meet the Generic Technology that this is under and provide guidance for my students to develop the ideas http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/nqfdocs/ncea-resource/achievements/2015/as91055.pdf The standard talks about a large number of manufacturing processes, one being an electronics focus. Yet there is little or no other coverage of other Digital Technologies strands. Can there be some guidance on how this can fit within the Generic context for Digital Technologies? Can guidance also be provided for describing the yield of a manufacturing process and the role of quality control in a digital technologies - programming context?

    Answer

    Learning programme design in Technology should be driven by multiple factors. Guidance is provided in the Senior secondary teaching and learning guidelines - Learning programme design.

    It is not ideal to have the assessment tool driving the programme design. The purpose of the assessment for this achievement standard is for students to demonstrate they have an understanding about the (often multiple) complexities of manufacturing.

    There are lots of digital technologies context examples students could refer to. For example, the manufacturing of cell phones, tablets etc. The Owens Design website states, “The challenge of manufacturing cell phones, tablets, and other mobile devices continues to grow more complex. The trends of increasing device complexity, miniaturization, and customization are driving a revolution in manufacturing process.” This website includes a range of case studies. See Mobile devices

    Students could look at the role of programming/computer science in relation to production lines and robotics.  Most equipment on a production line has an element of computer programming that enables it to perform a specific task. For example, Howard Wright use a computer-generated production line to manufacture their beds. They have programmed robotic equipment to move at an optimal pace to retain precision and maximise yield.

  • Question

    In regards to AS 91627 Initiate design ideas through exploration. The standard states" Visual communication strategies (including 2D, 3D and 4D modes) that support the interrogation and re-generation of ideas may include: abstraction, re-combination, tessellation, exaggeration, rotation, inversion, translation, translocation,deconstruction". My students are completing a fashion portfolio and I am wondering if the specifications above can include 3D textile application to explore ideas? Can students explore creative textile techniques and photograph and/or put samples on portfolio pages?

    Answer

    Yes. The strategies defined employed in ideation (initiate design ideas through exploration) can be extended beyond what is indicated in the standard.

  • Question

    I am teaching Level 3 Technology and the standard is: 91611 Develop a prototype considering fitness for purpose in the broadest sense. Can you please explain what the following terms mean; 'cultural appropriateness of trialling procedures' and 'ethical nature of testing practices' in regards to judgements about fitness for purpose. Thank you

    Answer

    Fitness for purpose in its broadest sense relates to the outcome itself as well as to the practices used to develop the outcome. This is a curriculum level 8 concept and is referred to in the generic achievement standards at NCEA level 3. Some of the areas students could consider when demonstrating understandings of this concept and/or applying this within practice are shown in the table below. These suggestions should not be considered exhaustive and students will find other ideas that relate to particular outcomes.

    Some teachers have found that, when developing a brief that allows fitness for purpose in the broadest sense, it works well to have students develop specifications for the two aspects. That is, students categorise their specifications as either being for the outcome itself or for the practices to be undertaken to develop the outcome. This helps to reinforce that students must consider more than just fitness for purpose (as is the practice at NCEA level 2).

    Examining and critiquing the practice of technologists within the framework of fitness for purpose in its broadest sense can also assist students to develop their understandings of this concept.

    Fitness for purpose in its broadest sense:
    Possible considerations     		Resistant materials
    Sustainability of resources

    Do the resources used to make the outcome meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs?

    As part of sustainability we need to also consider the difference between recycling , reusing and upcycling of materials and components.

    What do we know or are able to find out about the production and processing of the materials?

    Maintenance

     

    How will repairs be managed?

    What maintenance will be required? How easy will this be? Who will do it?

    Are the parts easily procured? Is it cost effective to be selfmade? (that is, where is the line between purchasing and manufacturing components?)

    What is the expected product life? 

    Determination of life cycle

     

    What will be the life cycle be of all of the components of the outcome?

    Will there be any opportunities for reuse?

    Ultimate disposal

     

    What are the plans for disposal of the outcome when no longer useful/redundant?

    What will the impact on the environment be? 

    Practices used in manufacturing

     

    Where relevant outcomes should comply with legislation, for example, with intellectual property law and using the ideas of others.
    See: Technology Online, Intellectual property issues
    Has permission been gained for all images?

    Do the practices comply with expected codes of practice and any relevant legislation?

    Where do the materials originate from and what are the working conditions of employees?

    Are the manufacturing practices used efficient?

    What determinants are used to quantify efficiency?

    Is waste minimised, managed, exploited for profit?
    Economics

    Are there cost/benefit relationships to be considered in developing the outcome?

    Are wider unseen costs included in feasibility calculations?

    Cultural appropriateness of trialling procedures 

     

    Have you considered how other cultures or age groups may view designs and imagery and their willingness or not to be involved in trialling as a result of this?

    Were cultural beliefs around behaviour considered when trialling?
    Ethical nature of testing practices

    Ergonomics – was the outcome tested on a range of expected users including those with disabilities?

    Was the outcome tested in the environment that was intended for its use? 

    Health and safety

     

    		 Considering health and safety issues when developing outcomes 

    If you cannot view or read the table on this page, download the PDF version:

    Ask an expert: AS91611 (PDF, 46 KB)

  • Question

    Hi all, I am looking for some fresh ideas for AS 91083 for Food. Last year we looked at wedding cakes and combined it into a big unit with AS 91049 External. It was somewhat successful but needs improving. I have attached the booklet made last year. Any ideas or improvements would be so greatly appreciated! Thanks.

    Answer

    The intention of the processing standards from level 1-3 NCEA is to encourage students and teachers to learn about processing operations and testing for food technology courses. 

    You may wish to reconsider the focus of this unit (i.e. sponge cake) as it provides limited opportunities for students to vary processing operations (e.g. changing temperature and types of baking (fan bake etc.), types of beating, time) and still achieve an acceptable product.

    If you chose a product that has more scope e.g. cakes rather than just sponge cakes it would allow the students to test and trial different processing operations and so develop a more comprehensive understanding of basic concepts used in processing. 

    Biscuits and cakes would allow for a broader range of acceptable characteristics (specifications of a quality product) and would also allow students to experiment with processing techniques such as mixing methods, temperature of ingredients, time of processing, shaping and sizing the final product and baking methods.

    Another suitable product could be a frozen meal for one. Students could trial different processes for preparing the components of the meal and test and evaluate the effect of these changes on the reconstituted meal. For example, vegetables could be blanched or not, prepared in different cuts etc. 

    Technology understandings are more effectively developed when students work on an authentic issue. 

    You could make the understanding purposeful for students if they made biscuits or meals as presents for an elderly group in the community, teachers etc. - or for a fund raiser for their department or community organisation. The video clips below may give you other ideas -they show a school working on community projects with food technology students. 

    For AS 91083, the focus of student’s practical work should be to make a change to the processing of the product, test it and evaluate the effect that this has had on the acceptability of the final product. Students could develop a set of specifications for the final product as a class. They may like to examine commercial products or interview a commercial manufacturer to develop these specifications. 

    It is important to note that the focus of this standard is on the processing and associated testing in making a product and not on the effect that changing ingredients has on the type of product produced. All 4 processing operations as outlined in Explanatory note 4 must be covered. 

    Students need to be given the opportunity to explore a range of processing operations and tests to collect evidence of understanding for this standard. It is worth noting that the practical work is not a requirement of the standard but just a way of growing understandings of basic concepts used in processing. 

    See Technology clarifications for this standard.

    Testing in food processing provides guidance to help students understand testing in a classroom environment. This resource highlights the type of qualities that food technologists could identify and test for when processing products. 

    Some teachers have had success in assessing against AS9108 Implement basic procedures to process a specified product alongside a project with this style of practical work. 

    For 91049 Demonstrate understanding of how materials enable technological products to function, the focus of the teaching and learning should be around the materials. In the case of food, the materials are the ingredients used in the product. 

    The Assessment report for this standard provides further information on the range of ingredients and depth of understanding that is required to demonstrate understanding at the different achievement levels for this standard. 

    The frozen meal context could also provide an opportunity to explore the nutritional value of the meal, its contribution to daily requirements and hence also provide evidence for AS 91049. 

    Students could be collecting evidence for both standards as they explore their product.

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