Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 1 2013

Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.

Rationale

Innovation along with knowledge development and management skills that drive it, are the building blocks of an information society. Technology as a discipline encourages students to embrace innovation as a way of making a difference to their own and others' wellbeing. The capacity to innovate is developed when designers: understand the power of ideas and work these methodically and creatively; understand the role of research and development as a means of improving design ideas; and evaluate and create solutions with regard to appropriateness for preferred futures. Technology is an integral part of the practice of Home Economics, facilitating effective responses to challenges in contexts of food, textiles, living environments, individuals and families. Students require personal knowledge and understanding of design, creativity, research and innovation if they are to participate productively and sensitively within the Australian and international community.

Aims

This unit offers you experiential and theoretical knowledge of the principles of design and technology practice within the context of Home Economics. This understanding will assist you in your professional practice, building the capacity to create diverse learning environments which respond to your individual learning needs.

Objectives

Throughout all aspects of this unit sensitivity to and an understanding of cultural and gender-related issues will be demonstrated as appropriate.

On successful completion of this unit you should be able to:

1. Demonstrate deep understanding of the relatively complex relationships between innovation, design, research, critical and creative thinking, product development and appropriateness;
   
2. Apply a technology process to resolve design briefs and produce quality products.;
   
3. Use current technologies (across a number of media) to advance your own learning;
   
4. Demonstrate confidence in your own ability to learn independently and interdependently.

Content

This unit explores principles of design and technology practice. Topics addressed include:

• Technology and its practice: A working definition of technology is developed through theoretical and practical explorations. Relationships between innovation, design, research, critical and creative thinking, product development, appropriateness and wellbeing are conceptualised. The trans-disciplinary nature of technology is emphasised.



• Design: Elements and principles of design and the proposal that design can be defined as 'working ideas methodically and creatively' are explored.



• Appropriateness: Aesthetic, functional, social and environmental aspects of appropriateness are considered from the perspective of designer, consumer and critic.



• Research: Research strategies necessary to resolve design briefs..



• Product development: Understandings are applied through design briefs to offer real experiences and opportunities for personal reflection on knowledge, skills, research capabilities, management, independence and interdependence.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

This unit will be available in internal mode. It will be presented using lectures, studio experiences, experimental work and client-specific briefs with a focus on a range of contexts including everyday experiences associated with food, textiles and living environments. Work associated with the range of tasks and experiences offers you the opportunity to work independently and interdependently, to reflect and collaborate, and to share and celebrate with the cohort the diverse range of solutions, challenges and opportunities you as a group have created for the same brief.

The teaching and learning experiences offer you the opportunity to build your skills as a self-reflective learner as you gain experience in critical, creative, reflective and analytical thinking required in finding defensible solutions to problems and challenges.

Assessment

There are two assessments to be completed as you progress through the semester.Assessment will be spaced throughout the semester commencing with the first design brief to provide opportunity for feedback on your learning to that point. You will be provided with feedback on your second design brief.

Throughout the semester a variety of studio exercises and discussion activities will be undertaken, that, whilst not assessed, will offer opportunities for reflection and feedback on your progress and the expectations associated with summative assessment. All formative exercises assist with summative requirements. Formative tasks will be structured throughout studio and lecture activities and opportunities for feedback throughout folio work will be available. You are encouraged to access, assess and seek feedback on your work throughout the semester.

Assessment name: Design
Description: You will be required to produce a product and folio from a design brief.
Relates to objectives: 1-4
Weight: 40%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Mid Semester


Assessment name: Design
Description: You will be required to produce collaborative solutions and folio from a client initiated design brief.
Relates to objectives: 1-4
Weight: 60%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Group with Individual Component
Due date: End of Semester


Academic Honesty

QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.

A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.

Resource materials

Recommended Text(s):

Aspelund, K., (2006), The design process, New York :Fairchild Publications

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Risk assessment statement

This unit will involve studio-based sessions. You are required to read the laboratory safety manual and sign the form indicating that you have read and understood the material contained in the manual. When undertaking some of the studio activities, the wearing of protective covering would be advisable

Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.

Last modified: 18-Oct-2012