INTEGRATED SYSTEMS 1205 Technology Education A Curriculum Review Sabine Schnepf-Comeau July 19, 2011 ED 4752

What is Technology Education? A Vision: “Technology education fosters the development of all learners as technologically literate and capable citizens who can develop, implement, and communicate practical, innovative, and responsible technological solutions to problems.” From: Foundation for the Atlantic Canada Technology Education Curriculum

Key Features of Curriculum Engages students directly in constructing technological solutions to everyday, real world problems. Emphasising hands on activities, students use a variety of technological resources and processes to design, fabricate, and test solutions to various technology related problems. Builds technological knowledge in context. By helping students to identify relationships between technological principles and various scientific or mathematic laws, principles or theories. Makes connections beyond school. By helping students relate to technology in the workplace and develop specific technical skills. Technology Education … From: Foundation for the Atlantic Canada Technology Education Curriculum

Technology Problem Solving and the Design Process The design cycle is a process used in technology education to help solve real world problems. It acts as a guide for students to investigate or research the problem, create possible solutions, design or fabricate the best solution and then evaluate! Investigate Plan Create Evaluate

Technology In Our Schools Grade 7 Communications Grade 8 Production Technology Grade 8 Control Grade 9 Energy and Power Integrated Systems Communications Technology 2104 Communications Technology 3104 Robotic Systems 3205

What Does it All Mean? a Course: Integrated Systems 1205 What it offers: An introduction to the planning and development of systems and integrated systems. What is a system you ask? Systems are groups of objects which work together to perform a task that they would not ordinarily be able to perform on their own. They can be electronic, mechanical, pneumatic, and hydraulic. But how do they work? Systems integrate digital inputs and outputs (Switching devices, sensors, probes and actuators (motors!) with sensing, feedback, and control. Systems use programming (You will learn Visual Basic-don’t worry, it’s easy!) to control the input and output.

So What Will I learn? You will learn how to plan and design a system and will be introduced to some basic fabrication skills. Unit 1: Examines technology as both systems and interfaces. You will also explore computer hardware, operating systems, and computer software as examples of specific interfaces, each with requirements, purposes and limitations. Unit 2: Builds on knowledge and skills by designing a software interface as part of a sensing and control system. The multi-level software interface will be used to manage events and processes external to the computer.

So What Will I learn? Unit 3: Develops your knowledge of, and technical ability with, the design of an integrated system, including physical systems, control systems and components, a computer system, and a control program developed in the Visual Basic programming environment. Unit 4: You will design and fabricate a solution to an open ended problem. You will design and fabricate a physical structure that includes transducers and actuators, design and creation of a program to sense and control the physical structure, and design and creation of a programming interface that allows intuitive management of the system under manual and automatic control. Students will be expected to set up a design portfolio and project schedule to complete the activity!

What are the requirements to take this course? All you need is discipline, self motivation and good time management to succeed. This can be a demanding course! Some math and analytical skills will also benefit you. If you can work independently and also contribute to a group dynamic you’ll have no problem! The BEST PART?!?! There are no prerequisites to take this course!

Use your technology Skills in other classes Use the design cycle to create solutions for other courses! Use your knowledge of integrated systems to take temperature or light measurements in physics, biology or earth science!