Indicators of Progression in Technology
Components of Technological Practice
The Indicators of Progress within the Technological Practice section are divided into three components:
Brief Development
Brief development is a dynamic process that reflects the complex interactions within ongoing Technological Practice. A brief is developed to clearly describe a desired outcome that would meet a need or realise an opportunity and takes into account the physical and social environment. It is comprised of a 'conceptual statement' that communicates what is to be done and why it should be done.
It also includes specifications that define the requirements of a technological outcome in terms of its physical and functional nature. The specifications provide guidance for ongoing evaluation during the development of an outcome, as well as serving as an evaluative tool against which the final outcome can be justified as fit for purpose. Brief Development can be thought of as the ‘defining’ practices of Technological Practice.
Planning for Practice
Effective planning techniques are critical for informed and responsive Technological Practice. Planning tools must be fit for purpose if they are to ensure the successful development of outcomes. Planning allows understandings from past and current experiences, as well as those that may be reliably forecasted, to be taken into account in a systematic and managed way. Efficient resource management and accessing of stakeholder feedback relies on forward planning. Planning for practice incorporates ongoing critical evaluation and efficient and appropriate documentation. Planning for Practice can be thought of as the ‘organising’ practices of Technological Practice.
Outcome Development & Evaluation
The development of a technological outcome (product or system), or any other outcome of technological practice (concepts, plans, models, etc.), involves the creative generation of design ideas and the refinement of potential outcomes. This is achieved through ongoing research, experimentation, analysis, testing, and evaluation against the specifications of the brief.
Developments should be based on the evaluation of the functional modelling undertaken during practice, and prior to the realisation of the outcome. Refinement of a realised technological outcome should be informed by evaluations from prototype testing in situ, in order to optimize its fitness for purpose. Outcome Development and Evaluation can be thought of as the trialing and production practices of technological practice.
More information on each of these components can be found in the Technological Practice Explanatory Papers.
The Indicators of Progression for the components of Technological Practice can be used to guide and support formative and summative assessment, and provide a basis for reporting purposes.
These are based on the work of Compton and Harwood. For details of the research underpinning these components please refer to Compton, V.J. and Harwood, C.D. (2005) 'Progression in Technology Education in New Zealand: Components of practice as a way forward.' International Journal of Design and Technology Education. Vol 15, #3, 253-287.
