Year 7 Theory Lesson 7: Investigating and Defining

Curriculum Links

Design and Technologies: Investigate and define the problem and requirements of a given design brief (Year 7, Investigating and defining). Design processes and solutions with given technologies and techniques, using appropriate technical terms (Year 7, Designing). Social and ethical considerations for the design and development of products using specialised technologies, including ways products evolve locally to achieve designed solutions (Year 7, Materials and technologies specialisations).

Aboriginal Cultural Standards Framework (DETWA): Cultural Responsiveness Standard - Staff embed Aboriginal cultural knowledge, such as using traditional ecological knowledge for seasonal resource mapping, to reflect community values and sustainable practices aligned with cultural connections to land.

Cross-Curriculum Priority: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures - Students explore traditional Aboriginal investigation practices, such as seasonal resource mapping, to understand culturally appropriate and sustainable design solutions.

Reading: Investigating and Defining in Design

Investigating and defining are essential steps in the design process, focusing on identifying problems and needs through structured research methods. In Aboriginal cultures, traditional ecological knowledge is used to define needs, such as seasonal resource mapping to ensure sustainable food security. This practice involves observing natural cycles to identify available resources, ensuring solutions are culturally appropriate and environmentally sustainable. Research methods like surveys and interviews gather community input, helping designers prioritize ethical and social considerations for effective outcomes.

Modern design processes integrate research methods such as observation and data collection to create design briefs. A design brief is a document outlining the problem, objectives, and constraints of a project, ensuring solutions meet specific needs. Aboriginal perspectives emphasize ethical considerations, such as respecting land and community values, which guide sustainable practices. These methods ensure designs are culturally responsive and address community priorities.

Design briefs are shaped by community input and traditional knowledge. They outline specific requirements for sustainable solutions. Ethical research ensures social harmony. By integrating these approaches, designers create effective and culturally significant outcomes.

Spelling Bank

Here are 20 words from the reading for spelling practice:

  • investigating
  • defining
  • identifying
  • design
  • problems
  • needs
  • research
  • methods
  • surveys
  • interviews
  • ecological
  • knowledge
  • seasonal
  • resource
  • mapping
  • culturally
  • appropriate
  • observation
  • constraints
  • ethical

Example Sentences

  1. Investigating and defining identify design problems and needs through research.
  2. Seasonal resource mapping uses ecological knowledge for sustainability.
  3. Surveys and interviews gather community input for ethical design.
  4. Design briefs outline constraints to ensure culturally appropriate solutions.
  5. Observation is a key research method for sustainable design outcomes.
Fill in the Blanks (Using words from the reading)
1. Investigating and defining focus on identifying design __________ and needs.
✔✘ Attempts remaining: 2
2. Aboriginal cultures use __________ knowledge for sustainable practices.
✔✘ Attempts remaining: 2
3. Research methods include surveys, interviews, and __________.
✔✘ Attempts remaining: 2
4. A design brief outlines the problem, objectives, and __________ of a project.
✔✘ Attempts remaining: 2
5. Solutions are designed to be __________ appropriate and sustainable.
✔✘ Attempts remaining: 2
6. Seasonal __________ mapping ensures sustainable food security.
✔✘ Attempts remaining: 2
7. Ethical __________ guide sustainable design practices.
✔✘ Attempts remaining: 2
Multiple Choice Questions
1. What do investigating and defining primarily involve?
Attempts remaining: 2
2. What Aboriginal practice is used for sustainable design?
Attempts remaining: 2
3. What research methods are used in design processes?
Attempts remaining: 2
4. Why is a design brief important?
Attempts remaining: 2
5. What do ethical research methods ensure?
Attempts remaining: 2

Extension Activities

Videos

Correct: 0
Wrong: 0

Enter Administrator Password

0