Grade 7 • Study Guide Technology
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Reg. No.: 2011/011959/07
Technology
Study guide
Grade 7
2107-E-TEC-SG01
CAPS aligned
L Faurie J Lubbinge A Schwartz
PREFACE
Technology can be defined as the use of knowledge, skills, values and resources to meet people’s needs and wants by developing practical solutions to problems, taking social and environmental factors into consideration.
INTRODUCTION
This book has been developed to support the new Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS). The contents have been organised in topics stipulated by the CAPS. The authors have strived to make this book as comprehensive as possible within the framework of the curriculum.
The main aim of this book is to equip learners with a sound basic knowledge of various aspects of technology. It will not only assist them to master technology, but also to put theory into practice.
We took special care to:
• make the contents learner friendly
• attractively illustrate the contents
• make the contents industry related
• provide relevant and stimulating activities
• provide a variety of additional activities for practice at the end of each unit
• motivate learners to explore the different fields in technology
The Technology Study Guide is supported by the Technology Facilitator’s Guide.
Sample
STUDY TIPS
• Don’t postpone studying until the night before the examination or test. Compile a timetable so that you can manage your time effectively.
• Choose a suitable study method that suits your needs and practise it. Study skills have to be practised if you want to perform well.
• You may use any study method to master technology, but to achieve good results, the following principles are suggested:
1. Summary
Get an overview of the work to be studied. Read through everything quickly to see what it is about.
2. Questions Prepare questions about the work that you can use to study: Why? How? What?
For example: what are drawing standards? How are they used?
3. Read and learn Read and study these questions very carefully.
4. Recite Say the questions and answers out loud without using your book.
5. Check If you understand, know and repeat the work, check your answers against the content in the study guide. Keep on studying until you remember everything.
6. Repeat Repeat the work every day.
UNIT 1: Design process skills
Learning objectives
After you have completed this unit, you must be able to demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of:
What is technology?
The design process
• Investigate
• Design
• Make/Manufacture
• Evaluate
• Communicate
Design considerations
Introduction
Technology is the use of knowledge, skills and resources to provide practical solutions (objects) to solve people’s problems or meet their needs. Technology contributes to human support and comfort, while taking social and environmental factors into consideration.
IMPORTANT TERMINOLOGY
Aesthetics
Architect
Design brief
Design specifications
Characteristics of a product that make it look beautiful.
A person who designs buildings.
A short statement of a product or need.For example, a plastic container for packaging.
The criteria of the final solution, e.g. shape, size.
Drawing
Engineer
Ergonomics
Evaluate
Flow chart
A 2-D or 3-D picture drawn in pencil and with drawing instruments.
A person who designs or builds bridges (civil), engines (mechanical) or electrical systems (electrical).
Design features of a product or system that make it user friendly.
To judge the quality or effectiveness of a product or idea.
SampleGraphic designer
Mechanical system
Product
Project report
Restriction
Scientist
Sketch
Surveyor
A diagram that allows you to identify every step in the manufacturing process.
A skilled person who designs artistic drawings of products.
A system that consists of mechanisms and machines to perform tasks.
An item that is manufactured or processed and marketed to be sold.
A report that contains all the elements of the design process.
An aspect that limits the possibilities of a solution.
A person who has gained expert knowledge of biological or physical sciences through study and research.
An initial freehand drawing of a design, which points out the essential features of the design.
A skilled person who examines the condition of land or carries out surveys.
LESSON 1: What is technology?
Technology comprises all the ways in which people produce goods and services to solve the problems of daily living (to meet the basic needs of food, shelter, communication, clothing and transport) and to investigate our physical world. The earliest forms of technology included the use of tools to cut materials and build shelter, as well as the ability to control fire. Today’s technology includes computers, cars and convenience food, as well as the development of artificial intelligence and space exploration. Technology is advancing every day and is a continuous process.
• Continuous technological advancements help to increase production.
• Improved tools and equipment enable people to quickly complete jobs with less effort.
• The mechanisation of industries leads to mass production with fewer workers.
• Technological contributions in the field of transport reduce travel time and costs.
• The development of the electronics industry leads to more effective communication systems such as the internet, cellphones and television.
No matter how advanced our technology, we will always encounter some problem that needs a solution.
Activity 1
Instructions
Answer the following questions about technology:
1. Give the definition of technology using your own words.
2. Briefly describe the impact of technology in the event of a complete absence of mechanical systems in our lives. If there were no machines (cars, pumps, computers, toasters, etc.), what would our lives be like?
3. How does recycling impact the environment? Explain in your own words.
Sample
4. Copy and complete the table below by indicating which industries are involved in the production processes and use of iron. Choose from the options provided below the table. (Iron ore is the raw material used to make iron and steel.)
Mining; Wholesale; Retail/Service; Production; Transport
Action
Iron ore is extracted from the earth.
Iron ore is distributed via road transport.
Iron ore is smelted.
The processed iron is sold.
A person makes and sells palisade fences.
Industry
LESSON 2: The design process
We use the design process for identifying and resolving real-life problems. The design process consists of the following five steps:
1. Investigate
2. Design
3. Make/Manufacture
4. Evaluate
5. Communicate
Below is an example of the steps involved in the design process.
STEP 1: Investigate
1.1 Identify the problem (need/want)
1.2 Analyse EXISTING products on: Safety Suitability of materials Fitness for purpose Cost Manufacturing method
1.3 Investigation strategy
Use a variety of available technologies and methods to:
• locate (library referencing systems, internet searches, indexes, magazines, shops)
• collect (questionnaires, data collection forms, literature surveys)
• test and compare the properties of a product
• sort and verify the information Circle or underline the method you used.
• Investigation is the basis for any technological process.
• Identify all aspects of the problem.
• Use as many sources as possible when doing research.
• Process all gathered information so that only the most appropriate information is included. Acknowledge all the sources.
• Adjust the investigation process to match your style.
STEP 2: Design
2.1 Design brief
(Short written idea including outline of the problem, who is affected, how the product will be used, reliability and the impact on the environment.)
2.2 Design ideas
(Use the design brief and freehand drawings to find several solutions. Choose the best solution.)
2.3 Design specifications (More detailed than the design brief.)
List of features of product/ description (Details of size, shape, colour, etc.)
Materials (What will the product be made from?)
Cost
• Start with the design brief, which is a summary of the problem.
• The design brief states the criteria for the final product.
Safety
Quality standards
(Does the product meet a certain standard?)
• Think of every possible solution and describe each one with notes and freehand drawings.
• This step is not about neatness, but about the thinking process.
• Notes do not have to be written in print on freehand drawings, but it may help to ask someone else’s opinion to determine whether the notes are legible.
• Only use a pencil for freehand drawings – no ruler is necessary.
STEP 3: Make/manufacture
3.1 Planning
• Formal drawings showing dimensions and quantities (on separate folio paper)
• Resource lists: (tools/ equipment)
3.2 Manufacturing process (how it is made)
• Formal drawings showing dimensions and quantities (on separate folio paper)
• Resource lists: (tools/equipment)
• Manufacturing skills
• (Skills needed to manufacture, e.g. measuring.)
• Safe working practices
• (Demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of safe working practices.)
• Freehand drawings made in the design phase are used to draw neat scale drawings of the different views of the product by using conventions (lines used in drawings).
• Formal drawings include orthographic drawings (2-D), isometric drawings (3-D) and perspective drawings.
• The formal drawings indicate the measurements and dimensions as well as all other information needed to make the product.
• Formal drawings have the final notes printed neatly on the drawing sheet so that they can be easily read.
• During the manufacturing process, apply caution when working with tools and equipment, to ensure a safe working environment.
• The product must always be aesthetic (attractive).
STEP 4: Evaluate
4.1 Who is doing the evaluation?
4.2 How are you going to evaluate?
4.2.1 Evaluate the final product by comparing it with:
• design brief
• specifications
4.2.2
Evaluate the manufacturing process with regard to efficient:
• work procedures
• skills
• time management
• Ensure that the design is in line with the design brief before continuing with the manufacturing and evaluation process.
• Conduct continuous evaluation at every step of the design process. The client does the final evaluation.
STEP 5: Communicate
5.1 Prepare a presentation
• Existing drawings
• All written information (design brief, poster, PowerPoint or slides including reasoning for design)
5.2 Comments on design process
• Was the design/project successful/good?
• Reasons for the above
• Suggestions to improve design
• Put together a portfolio with all the work done during the design process.
• The portfolio must be aesthetic – it needs a neat cover page that includes an illustration (photo of the model or an artistic impression).
• Provide an index to quickly and easily find any part of the work done during the investigation process.
• Include a report on the final product at the end of the portfolio indicating whether:
○ the goal has been reached
○ any difficulties were experienced
Activity 2
Instructions
Sample○ anything may be improved upon The more information contained in the report, the easier it will be for further manufacturing of the product.
Draw up a form to use for the design process when doing the PATs throughout the year.
LESSON 3: Design considerations
Determine the fitness for purpose: Investigate
You should take several design considerations into account to ensure that a solution is the best and most reasonable. Ask yourself the following questions:
• Who: Who will use the product?
• Why: Why do they need it?
• Where: Where will it be used? (This will also give an indication of material required.)
• When: When will it be used?
• How: How will it be used?
Use the following mnemonic (memory) device to help you remember the design considerations: Four Windows in one House.
Activity 3
Instructions
Build the model of the scissors and answer the questions that follow.
Requirements
• thumbtack
• glue
Steps
1. Copy the following worksheet and paste it on hard cardboard.
2. Cut out the two halves of the scissors. (Don’t forget to cut out the finger holes in the handles.)
Sample3. Push the thumbtack through from the back as indicated to hold the two halves together.
4. Grip the scissors as you would a real pair of scissors and move your thumb and fingers to see the cutting motion.
Answer the following questions regarding the pair of scissors to determine its fitness for purpose.
• Who?
• Why?
• Where?
• When?
• How?
Insert thumbtack from the back.�-------,. .ft. Druk ’n duimspyker van agter af deur.
Cut out the two halves of the scissors. Knip die twee helftes van die sk ê r uit.
UNIT 2: Communication skills
Learning objectives
After you have completed this unit, you must be able to demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of:
Graphical communication
• Drawing instruments
• Types of lines in drawings
• Sketching
• Working drawings
Graphic techniques
• 3-D oblique drawings
• One-point perspective (single vanishing point)
• 3-D artistic drawings
• Isometric drawings
Introduction
Drawings are visual representations that can be made on surfaces such as paper, walls, canvas and stone. Different types of drawings include (but are not limited to) sketches, architectural drawings, diagrams and graphs; among many others.
SampleIn technology, drawings are used to:
• develop ideas in the form of an initial drawing that later leads to the final design
• communicate thoughts, ideas and designs in the form of a universal and accepted language
Graphical communication is an effective way of communicating designs and ideas. Working documents include different views of an object and its dimensions. The dimensions or measurements are important in the manufacturing of an object in accordance with the given distances or measurements.