Curriculum Rationale Year 7-10

People interpret and alter their environments in an attempt to improve the quality of their lives. Technologies constantly evolve and are developed to the extent that they have an impact on the environment and on most aspects of our daily lives. As well as contemporary technological skills, capacities to adapt to rapid change, to collaborate, and to develop and express creative ideas are becoming the new foundations of design and technology learning. These foundations provide the capabilities to thrive in the emerging Australian and international economies and the lifestyle challenges that may present themselves.

Australia needs future generations who understand the holistic nature of design and technology and who can apply design processes, develop, communicate and justify solutions, create systems and use technologies to meet identified needs and opportunities. Student projects related to real-life contexts provide a rich setting for individuals and groups to develop holistic solutions and to discover underlying principles for quality design applications. They can investigate processes of design and technology in a responsible, safe, ethical and collaborative manner and in a range of design fields. Present and emerging technologies, innovation, enterprise and exploring preferred futures are considered in relation to their impact on society and environments.

Design and Technology provides broad experience in a range of contexts and builds on the know-how and know-why developed in Science and Technology K–6 and the foundation Technology (Mandatory) course. The design and development of quality projects gives students the opportunity to identify problems and opportunities, research and investigate existing solutions, analyse data and information, generate, justify and evaluate ideas, and experiment with technologies to manage and produce design projects. The diversity of approaches to design projects provides the scope to develop high order thinking, future thinking and understanding of conceptual principles. The design process caters for a variety of student needs, abilities and interests. The flexible and creative consideration of parameters encourages students to take intellectual risks and experiment with resources when developing projects.

The development of functional and aesthetic design solutions allows students to be innovative and creative in their thinking and application. Students will develop the skills necessary for the safe use and maintenance of a variety of technologies in the production of their design projects. Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) are vital tools for this course. They are used to develop, communicate and research design solutions, communicate students' design ideas and facilitate interactions with the wider community.

The study of Design and Technology Years 7–10 Syllabus will assist students to appreciate and be informed about a range of careers in design and technological innovation. Students will learn to critically analyse and reflect on the implications of design in order to develop understanding of why some designs, technologies and processes perform better than others in meeting their intended purpose. Students will develop knowledge, appreciation and applied skills for understanding the interrelationships of design, technology, society, the individual and the environment for an increasingly knowledge-based economy and lifestyle.

(source, BOS, Design & Technology 7-10 syllabus)