Rationale
The study of technology prepares students to embrace emerging technological opportunities and challenges, enabling them to thrive in a contemporary world. Students are inspired to design innovative local and global solutions that can influence the lives of people and societies. Technological knowledge, skills and processes are used to interpret, develop, manage and create products, systems and environments.
The Technology 7–8 Syllabus provides students with opportunities to develop their technological literacy through the design and production of creative solutions. Students investigate resource management practices to understand how the application of technologies can contribute to sustainability. The exploration of sustainable design and production practices enables them to understand the challenges, limitations and consequences of developing designed solutions.
Students explore ideas that address changing societal values and expectations, leading to opportunities for enterprise, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander designs and technologies. They engage in design and production independently and collaboratively. Students learn about and apply safe practices and refine their skills working with varied materials and production technologies. Practical and project management experiences support students to analyse problems or challenges, organise and apply knowledge, conceptualise, and transform creative ideas into sustainable, quality solutions.
The syllabus provides opportunities for students to develop their digital literacy and ethical understanding and to apply principles of sustainable design. Students develop a knowledge and appreciation of the properties, characteristics and finite nature of materials, and explore the interrelationship between design, technology, society and the environment.
By making personal, local and global connections, students are supported to recognise the role of technology in solving real-world problems in familiar and unfamiliar situations. They may apply their knowledge of a variety of technological experiences to further education, work and career opportunities in design, technology, engineering, science, mathematics and related fields.
Technological understanding helps students realise that success in design is measured through accessibility, functionality and the degree to which a solution meets the specific needs of people in diverse contexts and societies.