Technological+Products

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This component allows for an in-depth exploration of the materials used in a particular product and their perceived value to the designer and user. Appropriate material development and use can be analysed with regards to the values of stakeholders. The opportunity to analyse material use and development in terms of product life cycles allows for students to explore values associated with sustainability, and the way caring for the environment is considered a worthy value, or not, by different stakeholders. In the context of developing new materials for use in a ‘Kiwi Made’ unit, environmental, social and ethical issues naturally arose as the unit progressed. Students were able to explore the fitness for purpose of past materials, in terms of values associated with care of the environment and animals and those associated with wearing animal based materials. They also considered the values inherent in the concept of ‘being in fashion’ generally, and were required to identify what New Zealanders value, and how and why this has changed from the past, and may change in the future.
 * Technological Products**

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Technological Products Technological products and artifacts include the entire human constructed world. It is everything that does not occur naturally, from shelter (tents to palaces) to processed and packaged food, from socks and shoes to space craft. Frying pans, microwaves, toothbrushes, cars, trains, boats, and clothespins are among the more mundane examples. Communications products such as computers, computer networks, satellites, cell phones, and interactive video games are more recent, while the printing press has been evolving since the Gutenberg Bible. Presses changed little until this century. The most radical changes occured when they became computerized and digital type and imagery were incorporated. One approach here is to provide some examples and invite students to catalog technological products, tools and systems that they are already familiar with, then do a little research and add additional ones. The focus should shift towards communications tools, systems and products after the initial discussion. from []