Didactic Unit 2 - PROJECTS
Resolution of Technological problems
Finding solutions to problems or needs requires complex thinking; it is one of the most complex intellectual functions.
We search for solutions when we do not know how to proceed from a start point to a desired goal.
It is part of the larger process that includes understanding the needs of the user.
Projects in technology are normally done by teams, not by individuals working alone.
Small tasks, like replacing a light bulb, can be done by one person.But larger projects, like constructing a car, are done by teams.
One of the most difficult things will be to decide what tasks are necessary.
The team will agree what tasks are done by each member.
For example, member #1 will do the drawings, member #2 will cut the
wood, member #3 will glue the pieces ... and all will work for the
completion of the project!
For the team to work well, it is important to learn the steps in aproject, from beginning to end.
It is best to follow the steps in the correct order.
| 1-Specify the needs. In this first step, we write a description of the problem. Listen carefully to the problem and the needs. Sometimes it is important to have an open mind about the deep need of the customer or user. For example, instead of saying "I need a chair to sit down in front of the computer", you can say "I need something to support me comfortably while writing at the computer for fifty minutes". The first document of the project is the description of the problem or need. This document is called "the specification". |
2-Search for information. Being well informed should help you to come up with better ideas in the next step (Brainstorming). |
| 3.-Brainstorm. Brainstorming is a technique used to generate solutions to problems.  You should brainstorm after you have defined the problem and you are well informed.Brainstorming will help you think of ideas and select a good one. |
Think of ideas:
One member of the team writes a list of the ideas proposed by all the members of the team.
Making rounds, every member of the team gives one idea in every turn of the round.
Of course, it is possible to skip a turn, but do not give more than one idea at a time.
The ideas should be about how the problem can be solved.
The ideas must be doable and reasonable. Do not propose totally absurd ideas. Nobody should criticise other members ideas; if an idea is given, then it goes on the list. The second document of the project is the list of
proposed ideas.
Selection of the best idea:
The members of the team discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the proposed ideas.
Select the best three ideas. Selection is normally done by voting, but always after a discussion.
Then you should draw a sketch of the best ideas and those ideas are further discussed and analysed.
Voting takes place again to select the idea that will finally pass to the following steps.
When choosing an idea for your project, it is important to consider that it will need to be designed, constructed, used and recycled. So do not just choose the fanciest one. Be reasonable at this step.
The third document of the project will be an explanation of why the chosen idea was the best of all those proposed.
Ideally, the third document will include a more detailed sketch of the idea and a description of the product: how it will work, what structure it will have...
| 4.- Plan. This is probably the most difficult step. It is not more important than selecting a good idea but is more complex.  It is now time to think about all the tasks that the team will need to do and all the resources that the team will need. Also time and people are things that need to be considered. |
For a start, you need to know how much habilities, date time and how many people you have.
Exemples of task and organisation: A(Álvaro, B Beatriz, C Carmen, D Daniel)
| Task | 1h | 2h | 3h | 4h | 5h |
| Cut wires | A | ||||
| Cut wood | BDC | BD | |||
| Glue wood | AC | ||||
| Connect lights | CA | ||||
| Install motor | D | D | |||
| Paint | ABC | ABCD |
Then you can allocate tasks to people and set a certain length of time for each task.
Making a calendar with the dates by which tasks will be completed helps with planning.
It is good to follow that plan.
You should write down a fourth document with the list of tasks that each member of the team will do and how long each task will take.
Also, you can include what materials and tools you will need and anything else that you consider relevant for the document.
| 5 - Design. Here the team will define the structure, the shape, the colour, the price ... During the design step you further develop the chosen idea and study it in more detail, considering its manufacture, sale, service and disposal.  If you realise that it was not the best idea, maybe it is better to choose a better idea rather than proceed to manufacture. |
During the design you make a detailed drawing. The drawing should be clean and clear, with the necessary dimensions.
Ideally, the drawing will be in "first-angle projection" (see Chapter 4: Orthographic Projection), with a top view, a front view and a sideview.
You need to specify the materials and tools that you will use.
6 - Construct You probably think that this step does not need to be explained and you might be partially right.The product needs to be made according to the design: measurements,materials, colours... If during the construction process you find mistakes in the design, or something can not be made as designed, or you see that the design can be improved, then go back to the design step and change the drawings or whatever it is that needs to be changed. |
So, there must be a good reason if design changes are made, (it would be even worse not to make the changes).
Do not forget to write down a sixth document with the list of tasks that each member of the team did and how long each task took, the materials and tools that were used, etc.
This sixth document is a bit like the planning document, it is a description of how things happened.
| 7 - Test Naturally, when you finish the construction you will want to test it and see if everything works correctly.  The first time that you test the constructed project it might not work. Don't worry. Great inventors have had the same problem. Try looking for possible reasons and make changes; then try again. Sometimes very simple little things will cause the project not to work: a loose wire, something in the wrong position... | |
| 8 - Sell It is unlikely that you will sell what you constructed in the workshop, but in the real world this is the most important step. If you are planning to sell the product, the selling price is something very important to be considered in the design step.  Remember that the selling price does not depend on the production costs (you cannot sell something at the price you want). The selling price depends on what the customer is prepared to pay. So, you should do the project only if the cost is lower than theexpected selling price. | |
| 9 - Recycle When the object is no longer needed or useful (and if we designed it with recyclable materials), we can construct other objects using the same material. Student projects in the workshop can be partially recycled in several ways. For example, some of the components, like light bulbs or wires, can be dismantled and put back in the materials storage. Also, large pieces of plywood can be saved to have smaller pieces cut from them in the future.  Recycling helps to save money, protects the environment and promotes a more sustainable way of life. Put cans, plastic bottles and bricks in the yellow container. |
Activities for Projects
Activity 1: Given the following specification for a need (step 1) and working in teams offour students, complete steps 2, 3, 4 and 5.
Specification: There is a computer on a table. The person that uses the computer has to stand up all the time and this is very tiring.
Something is needed to make life more comfortable for the computer user.
Write where and how you searched for information. Also write down the "second document" detailing all the ideas given in "brainstorming".
Do not forget to prepare the "third document", explaining why you thought the selected idea was the best.
When you make the plan (fourth document), remember to Indicate who will do what, how long the task will take, how much each material will cost
When you design it (fifth document) make a good drawing and additional notes: materials needed, etc.
Activity 2: Given the following specification for a need (step 1) and working in teams of four students, complete all the steps in the project.
Specification: We need a small wooden container, wich stay on every desk, to place small debris in class and avoid the constant traffic of people to the trash.
The container must:
• Fit easily in the school bag.
• Have a nice appearance.
• Be light, durable and cheap.
Write down all the relevant documents. They will be handed in at the end of the project.
Activity 3:
Go to the website: http://www.technologystudent.com/health1/safetyr1.htm
You can read a collection of safety rules that you have to consider in the workshop. From this group of rules, adapt them to your own workshop tasks.
