MS+Elective+Class+Notes

=MS Design Technology Elective - Class Notes and Homework=

Agenda

 * Why do we study DT?
 * How do we study DT?
 * Class Expectations, Homework, Attendance etc.

Homework

 * Get Notebook or DT Folder

Class 2 -
Class Discussion
 * Attention to detail
 * Erasing the tape
 * Applying the Homework Rubric
 * Entrepreneurship - The Apple Story
 * Wikispaces vs FirstClass (self hosted vs. internet hosted)

Join the class wiki and create your design folder.

Class 3 - Safety
Homework
 * Safety contract

Class Discussion

 * Responsibility and Judgement
 * When to ask for permission when to act on your own initiative.

Creating Icons for the lab computers to be used as shortcuts to the DT Server and the DT Wiki.
 * Its easy to create custom icons
 * Here are they are:

Graphics is one of the areas of DT.

 * What was the design brief for this project? What real world problem was solved?

Class 5 - Unit Question Revealed
Quiz today will cover the following topics.
 * Why do we study DT
 * How do we study DT
 * Design Brief
 * Design Specification
 * Design Folder - Home of your compelling story.

Class - Quiz: Review / Retake
Today we reviewed the quiz and took it again.

Homework: Evidence of the Unit Problem
This homework begins your I**nvestigation** of the unit problem. You must provide evidence of how the unit problem is present in your life. There are different kinds of evidence that you can collect. This homework should:
 * photographic evidence
 * expert testimony
 * articles from a reliable source
 * interviews with informed persons (such as parents or teachers)
 * be completed in your **Design Folder**
 * be part of a compelling story
 * be easy to read
 * explain in simple language how the evidence shows the unit problem
 * be short and sweet

Homework Review:

 * What evidence did you find to show that the unit problem is relevant to you?
 * If you used a picture did you explain to the reader what the picture shows?

In class we reviewed the qualities of a good **Design Folders.**
 * has consistent formatting
 * uses headings
 * is easy to read
 * writing is short and sweet
 * has pictures and diagrams to help people understand
 * is considerate of the reader

Investigation continued...
To create a product that effectively answers the unit question it is important to investigate the problem and also investigate the questions we have that relate to designing, planning, creating and evaluating or solutions. These questions are called **Guiding Questions.**

Here are the **Guiding Questions** we thought of in class:
 * How much time is available?
 * What materials will I have access to?
 * What tools are available?
 * How do learn to use the tools?
 * How do I evaluate my designs and make the best choice?
 * How can I minimize any negative impact on the environment?
 * How can I reduce waste?
 * How have other people solved the problem?
 * What products are available on the market today?

These are just a few questions that may guide your investigation. There will be others and you should write them down in your design Folder when they come up.