The following list of suggestions is by no m e a n s exhaustive and should be added to by teachers as often as possible. The tasks can be identified u n d e r different headings:
- introductory tasks, introducing the student to the breadth and scope of technology;
- overview tasks, intended to bring the student to an understanding of a broad area of technology;
- detailed tasks, intended to take the student to an in depth understanding of a specific issue;
- choice tasks, allowing the student to research a topic or area of their own choosing.
(This may happen to coincide with a hobby interest or involvement in acompetition such as the Aer Lingus Young Scientist.)
Thought should be given to ensure that effective learning takes place during such task work. It is worth considering a variety of modes of presentation. With the regular paper submission, students might be asked to give a 5 minute verbal presentation to the class on the key concept of their study. This could be done with the added support of audio visual media, posters, overhead transparencies, video etc.
Some examples may help to clarify the previous points.
Example Tasks
1st. Year Technology Task: The Domestic Appliance
Brief:
Choose one domestic appliance and prepare a report on it under the following headings:
(i) General introduction
(ii) Description including diagram(s) drawn by yourself
photos are optional
identify materials used
method of construction
technologies used (mechanical / electrical / electronic etc.)
(iii) Operation
What does it do? How does it do it
(iv) Safety
Identify specific safety features of the appliance and explain their purpose and operation.
(v) Design
Comment on use of eolour for style, fashion and function
ergonomic aspects of design
hygiene
(vi) Problems and difficulties.
Faults, defects in operation of appliance and some suggestions for how these might be o v e r c o m e .
(vii) Conclusions
The report is to be submitted on A4 sheet paper, bound in a simple manila folder, orbetter.
Students are expected to show evidence of personal effort by way of research etc.
Each student will submit an individual report, though group work is active~,encouraged during the research stage.
2nd Year Technology Task:
Introduction:
Technology and a Changing Society
Technology is central t o the lives w e live today. While changes occur quickly, they may be taken for granted. Television and radio for example seem to have been around for ever. This is not so. Television is barely 30 years old in Ireland; radio less than 70 years old. This task will ask you to select one major change which technology has brought about in the life of our society.
Brief:
Choose one appliance, service or process of technology. Find out how people coped before and after its invention or introduction. Comment on the impact it has had on society. Use the following headings in the presentation of your work:
(i) Introduction:
Outline briefly the subject of your study and the layout of your report.
(ii) Before:
Describe the life people led before the introduction of the subject of your study. Show specifically how they coped before the new development was introduced.
(iii) The appliance, service or process..
Describe in detail. Refer to its development, how it works, what it was intended to do, etc. Use maps and diagrams etc. a s necessary.
(iv) After:
Describe how people lived after the introduction of the subject of your study. Show specifically how they coped after the new development was introduced. Focus on how their lives changed.
(v) Comment:
Summarise the good points and bad points of the change brought on by technology.
On balance is society better off as a result of this technological change?
The emphasis in this task will be on detailed and extensive researehi Students will b e advised on reference sources as appropriate.
Students are expected to develop and show understanding of the impact of technology on society;:for good and for ill and to evaluate the relative merits of such change.
Students must include their o,~n diagrams as appropriate. They may include photos us optional.
Each student will include an individual report on A4 paper, bound in a simple manila folder orbetter. Students are encouraged to share stud), and research sources and work.
3rd Year Technology Task: Problems and Harm For Society
Introduction:
Technology is central to the lives we live today. We depend on it for the quality of our lives. We take it for granted. Unfortunately technology can sometimes cause problems for us, even harm to us and our environment. In this project you will be asked to explore in some detail some of the issues involved in the problems and harm caused by technology. Brief:
Choose one example o f a problem o r of harm caused b y technology to society. 'You may focus on environmental issues ( pollution, waste disposal etc~) or on social issues (abuses o f technology e.g. substance abuse; displacement of people by technology). Your study should explore the problem or harm, its cause, its nature, its consequences and some of the solutions for dealing with it.
Your report should be prepared under the following headings: Introduction:
Briefly state the issue you are going to discuss and outline its causes, nature, and effects. The problem:
Describe fully the problem/harm. Focus on one specific example or case history. Describe its cost in social, environmental, health, financial, etc. terms. This section should include facts, figures, charts, maps or diagrams as relevant. The causes:
Examine the causes in detail. You should show the context from which the problem arises. (Generally technological developments are well intentioned):. ~ The negative results may be side effects, unforeseen effects, effects of negligence etc. The solutions:
This section should deal with solutions to the problem as detailed above. Some solutions may be already in force. Others may be possible though not in force for various reasons. Examine these reasons.
Comment:
Add your own comment. Is the problem/harm an acceptable price for progress? To what extent is it avoidable? What more can be done, and by whom?
The emphasis in this task will be on detailed and extensive research. Students will b e advised on reference sources as appropriate.
Students are expected to develop and show understanding of the impact o f technology on society,for good and for ill and to evaluate the relative merits of Such change.
Students must include their own diagrams as appropriate:They may include photos as optional
Each student will include an individual report on A4 paper, bound in a simple maniia foider orbetter. Students are encouraged to share study and research sources and work.