The Le@rning Federation Schools Online Curriculum Content Initiative
Arts and design
- You are here: Home
- For teachers
- Sample curriculum content
- Arts and design
Arts and design
Print page 
Email page
Directional design: cafeteria chair
View content
Full details
TLF ID:
L3108
Year level:
9–10
Series description:
In the 'Directional design' series of learning objects students are given a product design brief to build an everyday object found at school or home that is well suited to the built environment in which it will be used. Students are encouraged to choose design features and production and maintenance processes for the object that minimise negative effects on the natural environment.
Learning object description:
Students design a chair that is well suited for use in a school cafeteria. Client feedback is used to refine the design and the chair’s performance is evaluated after the first week and after five years. This learning object is one in a series of five objects.
Key learning objectives:
- Students explore the short-term and long-term consequences of product design decisions.
- Students explore how the design of an object affects other objects and people within the built environment it is placed into, and therefore influences other design decisions.
- Students configure design elements to meet needs defined in a design brief, including health and safety factors.
- Students test design ideas and respond to stakeholder feedback.
Educational value:
The learning object:
- helps students to implement core requirements for designing an everyday product, including the minimisation of negative effects on the natural environment;
- demonstrates the complexity of designed objects and the need to understand them in the context of their actual usage;
- encourages students to review stakeholder requirements and adapt designs to suit;
- highlights design features and production and maintenance processes that minimise negative environmental effects;
- demonstrates that the design of an object has direct consequences for people and environments;
- illustrates differences in performance of a product over a long period;
- supports repeated testing of ideas and an iterative approach to design;
- features a three-star rating system to compare product performance;
- provides an interactive notebook to capture design specifications, user needs and stakeholder feedback;
- includes an option to print a product evaluation completed by the student.
Learning area:
Technology
Keywords:
Classrooms, Decision making, Design briefs, Design elements, Design specifications, Dining chairs, Environmental impact, Ergonomics, Furniture design, Hygiene, Manufacturing, Materials, Occupational health and safety, Product appraisal, Product development, Recycling, Sustainability
Rights:
© Curriculum Corporation, 2006