Grade 8 • Study Guide Technology
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Reg. No.: 2011/011959/07
PREFACE
Technology can be defined as the use of knowledge, skills, values and resources to meet people’s needs and wants by developing practical solutions to problems, taking social and environmental factors into consideration.
INTRODUCTION
This book has been developed to support the new Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS). The contents have been organised in topics stipulated by the CAPS. The authors have strived to make this book as comprehensive as possible within the framework of the curriculum.
The main aim of this book is to equip learners with a sound basic knowledge of various aspects of technology. It will not only assist them to master technology but also to put theory into practice.
We took special care to:
• make the contents learner friendly
• attractively illustrate the contents
• make the contents industry related
• provide relevant and stimulating activities
• provide a variety of additional activities for practice at the end of each unit
• motivate learners to explore the different fields in technology
The Technology Study Guide is supported by the Technology Facilitator’s Guide.
STUDY TIPS
• Don’t postpone studying until the night before the examination or test. Compile a timetable so that you can manage your time effectively.
• Choose a suitable study method that suits your needs and practise it. Study skills have to be practised if you want to perform well.
• You may use any study method to master technology, but to achieve good results, the following principles are suggested:
1. Summary
2. Questions
3. Read and learn
4. Recite
5. Check
Get an overview of the work to be studied. Read through everything quickly to see what it is about.
Prepare questions about the work that you can use to study: Why? How? What? For example: what are drawing standards? How are they used?
Read and study these questions very carefully.
Say the questions and answers out loud without using your book.
If you understand, know and repeat the work, check your answers against the content in the study guide. Keep on studying until you remember everything.
6. Repeat Repeat the work every day.
SUBJECT CONTENT AND PLANNING
TERM 1
UNIT 1: Design skills
Learning objectives
After you have completed this unit, you must be able to demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of:
Design process
• Investigate
• Design
• Make or manufacture
• Evaluate
• Communication
Safety
The main causes of accidents
• General safety rules for practical technology work
• Safety regulations regarding electricity
• Gas
• Safety precautions when using cutting tools
• Safety precautions related to cleaning agents and medicine
Introduction
Sample
Technology is the use of knowledge, skills and resources to provide practical solutions (objects) to solve people’s problems or meet their needs. Technology contributes to human support and comfort, while taking social and environmental factors into consideration.
IMPORTANT TERMINOLOGY
Analyse
Annotate/Label
To closely study or examine a problem, need or item.
To provide work or sketches with notes and explanatory remarks.
Artistic drawing
Sample
Bias
Communicate
Constraints
Creative
Describe
Design
Design brief
When advanced techniques such as colour, texture, shading, shadows and perspective are used to create a drawing that resembles reality.
A tendency to support or oppose a particular person or thing in an unfair way by allowing personal opinions to influence your judgement.
To share information with others by speaking, writing, drawing or using models or products.
Aspects that limit conditions within which the work or solution must be developed, e.g., time, materials, cost.
Producing or using original and unusual ideas.
To say or write what something or someone is like.
To make a provisional plan or drawing (a possible solution).
A short statement of a problem or need. For example, a plastic container for packaging.
Design process
The activity of solving problems through ideas.
Design specifications The criteria of the final solution, e.g., shape, size.
Evaluate
Sample
To judge the quality or effectiveness of a product or idea.
Flow chart A diagram that allows you to identify every step in the manufacturing process.
Investigate
To carefully examine a problem, need or want.
Isometric projection A 3-D drawing that uses lines drawn at 30°
Make
To produce or manufacture something.
Needs
Orthographic projection
Things that a person must have for a satisfactory life.
A 2-D drawing used to produce a working drawing, usually showing three separate views of the same object.
Portfolio
Problem
Prototype
Questionnaire
Sample
A systematic and organised collection of someone’s work.
A situation, person or thing that needs attention and needs to be solved or addressed.
The first version of a product.
A set of questions used to find out people’s views about something.
Survey
Wants
Research carried out by questioning.
To desire a particular thing (which you can live a satisfactory life without).
LESSON 1: Design process
Below is an example of the steps involved in the design process.
STEP 1: Investigate
1.1 Identify the problem (need/want)
1.2 Analyse EXISTING products on:
Safety Suitability of materials
1.3 Investigation strategy
Fitness for purpose
Use a variety of available technologies and methods to:
Cost Manufacturing method
• locate (library referencing systems, internet searches, indexes, magazines, shops)
• collect (questionnaires, data collection forms, literature surveys)
• test and compare the properties of a product
• sort and verify the information
Circle or underline the method you used.
STEP 2: Design
2.1 Design brief
(Short written idea including outline of the problem, who is affected, how the product will be used, reliability and the impact on the environment.)
2.2 Design ideas
(Use the design brief and freehand drawings to find several solutions. Choose the best solution.)
2.3 Design specifications (More detailed than the design brief.)
List of features of product/description (Details of size, shape, colour, etc.)
Sample
Materials (What will the product be made from?) Safety Cost
Quality standards (Does the product meet a certain standard?)
STEP 3: Make/manufacture
3.1 Planning
• Formal drawing showing dimensions and quantities (on separate folio paper)
• Resource lists: (tools/ equipment)
3.2 Manufacturing process (how it is made)
• Formal drawings showing dimensions and quantities (on separate folio paper)
• Resource lists: (tools/equipment)
• Manufacturing skills (Skills needed to manufacture, e.g., measuring.)
• Safe working practices (Demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of safe working practices.)
STEP 4: Evaluate
4.1 Who is doing the evaluation?
.
4.2 How are you going to evaluate?
4.2.1 Evaluate the final product by mm mm comparing it with:
• design brief
• specifications
STEP 5: Communicate
5.1 Prepare presentation
• Existing drawings
4.2.2
Evaluate the manufacturing process with mm mm regard to efficient:
• work procedures
• skills
• time management
• All written information (design brief, poster, PowerPoint or slides including reasoning for design)
5.2 Comments on design process
• Was design/project successful/good?
•
• Reasons for the above
•
• Suggestions to improve design
Activity 1
Design process
Instructions
Design a means of transport made of wood to carry five learners across a river every day. Name the five steps of the design process to follow when a new product is developed to solve a problem.
LESSON 2: Safety
2. The main causes of accidents
• Reckless or unsafe acts
• Faults in mechanical systems
• Faults in electrical systems
2.1 General safety rules for practical technology work
• Obey all safety rules when using electrical apparatus, kitchen appliances and machinery.
• Do not play around with the power switch/power button.
• Always keep hands and fingers clear of moving parts, blades or sharp edges.
• Ensure that the machine is switched off and that all moving parts have stopped before making any adjustments.
2.2 Safety regulations regarding electricity
• Ensure that the electrical apparatus is connected correctly.
• Know where the main switch or emergency cut-off switch is located.
• Report any defects of/damage to electrical apparatus.
• Examine all cables, wires or cords for damage and replace immediately if necessary.
• Check that the power source is switched off before connecting plugs to/ disconnecting plugs from a wall socket.
• Never work with electricity near water.
• Never overload the wall socket with too many plugs.
2.3 Gas
Gas leaks may cause the following accidents:
• explosions
• fires
• poisoning
If you smell gas:
• Make sure there are no open gas valves.
• Close the main valve on top of the gas cylinder.
• Open all windows and doors.
• Never look for a gas leak with an open flame like a candle.
2.4 Safety precautions when using cutting tools
• Prevent cutting tool accidents by:
o keeping tools in a good condition
o handling tools correctly
• Use the correct cutting tool for the job intended.
• Handle cutting tools with care. Don’t drop them.
• DO NOT check the sharpness of a blade with your finger.
• DO NOT carry cutting tools with sharp blades or edges in your pocket.
• Store cutting tools in a safe place after use.
• Carry cutting tools with the sharp edge towards the ground or pointing away from your body.
• DO NOT run around with cutting tools.
2.5 Safety precautions related to cleaning agents and medicine
Cleaning agents (methylated spirits, benzene, paraffin, bleach, etc.) must:
• never be stored with food
• be kept out of reach of children
• be clearly marked
• be closed properly
• be kept away from open flames (cigarettes, lighters, fires, etc.) as they are often highly flammable
Activity 2
Instructions
1. Name the THREE main causes of accidents.
2. List FOUR safety regulations to apply when handling a knife.
3. Connect a plug as shown below.
• L: Live Brown or red (bottom right)
• N: Neutral Blue or black (bottom left)
• Earth: Green or green and yellow or only copper wire
TERM 1
UNIT 2: Structures
Learning objectives
After you have completed this unit, you must be able to demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of:
Frame structures
• Definition of frame structures
• Types of frames
• Purpose of structural members in roof trusses
Structural members in roof trusses
• Types of structural members in roof trusses
• Rafter ties in trusses
Forces
Reinforcing of structures
• Triangulation
• Internal cross-bracing
Structures spanning a space
• Structural members of structures spanning a space
Types of structures
• Bridges
• Arches
• Cantilevers
Structural failure
Introduction
Structures are part of everyday life and serve a variety of purposes. Different types of forces also act on structures, which is why certain structures need to be reinforced to withstand the forces being exerted.
• Comprehensive explanations of concepts in plain language.
• Interactive, fun, and practical activities with everyday objects to help learners master concepts.
• Includes drawing sheets and step-by-step instructions.
• Alphabetical list of important terminology for easy reference.
• Learners are shown how to complete the practical assessments.
• Use in school or at home.