Technological modelling is used by technologists to help test design concepts and prototypes. Functional modelling allows concepts to be tested without fully realizing the technological outcome. This helps identify issues and gather information. Prototyping allows for evaluation of how fit an outcome is for its intended purpose. Both forms of modelling support decision making by providing data to identify risks and determine if an idea or product should be developed further. Modelling helps make defensible decisions about technological outcomes.

1. Technological modelling
NCEA level 1, 2
and 3
Lesley Pearce
Team Solutions
The Auckland
University

2. Technological Modelling
Practices used to enhance technological development
Achievement Objective
• Understand that functional
models are used to
represent reality and test
design concepts and that
prototypes are used to test
Technological outcomes
Learning Intention
• I am learning... that
technologists use
technological modelling to
help them with their design
ideas and products.

3. Technological Modelling
Functional
Reasoning/Modelling
• Allows for ongoing testing of
design concepts for yet to be
realised technological outcomes
• Testing and trailing ideas
How to make it happen
How it is happening
• A tool to support informed projections
into probable future impacts.
• Takes into account specifications,,
materials, techniques suitability,
existing products, socio-cultural
factors.
• Test parts of a design as well as
complete conceptual design.
Practical
Reasoning/Prototyping
• Allows for the evaluation of the
fitness for purpose of the
technological outcome
• First realised outcome and tested insitu
(both social and physical environment)
• Shows fitness for purpose.
• Should it be happening?
• Social acceptance
Seeks to gather information on its
acceptability in implementation or the need
for further development. Allows for testing
against impacts on people, physical, social
environment in which it will be situated.

5. What is functional modelling?
• Anything that is used to ‘test’ in order to determine if an idea has
the potential to be 'fit for purpose'.
• -used to test the potential ‘fitness for purpose’ of a design
idea/concept design.
For example:
EARLY STAGES:
• Technologist thinking through ideas
• Discussing ideas with other technologists to test suitability of ideas:
talking with primary & secondary stakeholders, critical friend
review, market research, existing product analysis.
• Drawing on paper: annotation
• Formal written and/or diagrammatic explanations

6. Technological Modelling can be…..
• Patterns
• Templates
• Tests and trials
• Circuit diagrams
• CAD
• Google sketch up
• 3D models
• Sensory evaluation
• Test batches (food)
 Talking to others
 Concept sketches
 A toile
 Questionnaires
 Survey
 Mock-ups
 Models
 Looking at and analysing
existing products
 Mood boards

7. Talking and thinking about your ideas

8. Drawing and sketching your ideas

9. Patterns and templates
• Surfboard template, dressmaking pattern,
recipe layout

10. Testing and trialling

11. Taste testing

12. Circuit diagrams and drawings

13. Toiles

14. Mock-ups

16. C.A.D. computer assisted design

17. 3D models and mock-ups

19. Prototypes

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Bacon Bar
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with applewood smoked bacon and alder
wood smoked salt, from the boutique
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Or..

22. AS’s Step ups from level 1 to 2
Level 1
Evidence
obtained from
different forms
of modelling
Risk mentioned
at excellence
Level 2
All about why
different forms of
modelling are used
to manage risk at
A,M,E
Why different
forms of modelling
are used with
different
stakeholder groups
Level 3
How functional
modelling is used
to test competing
and/or contestable
factors at both
development and
prototype stages
Also how
modelling enables
informed,
responsive and
defensible(excellen
ce) decision
making

23. The external standard
Achievement Standard 1.5 (91048)
Demonstrate understanding of how technological
modelling supports decision making.
(Discussion points)
What does this mean – supports decision making?
What is technological modelling?
• Discuss & brainstorm different types of modelling
• Highlight the types you have used

24. Decision making
How do I show how modelling supports
decision making?
How can I show that……
• technological outcomes (products) are the results of design
decisions.
• good or bad decisions lead to good or bad outcomes.
• good decisions are often made as the result of using
modelling tools
• why the evidence gained enabled decisions to be made about
‘what could happen’ and ‘what should happen’ for the
technological outcome.
• discussing how technological modelling identifies risk to
support decision making.

25. Designers/technologists…
• they sketch, make mock-ups and rudimentary
functional models, which makes it possible for them
to learn about the alternative design directions and
anticipate forthcoming design possibilities and
challenges in a designerly manner (Cross, 2006)
• By becoming more familiar with the new project
through design exploration, designers can identify
project specific information needs, which give a
focused agenda to the later process phases, which
include meetings with the users.

26. Why modelling is important…
• There are no rewards in life for being the first
one with the wrong answer. Imagine spending
years building a product, only to learn that it
missed the needs of its intended market.
History is littered with the carcasses of failed
products and the companies that built them -
product development is indeed a risky
business.

27. Let’s define Risk
• Mitigating Risk: For Digital Technology Outcomes. The
concept of risk relates to reducing instances of
malfunctioning of technological outcomes, and/or
increasing levels of outcomes robustness.
• Increasing the Accessibility of the outcome
• Increasing the Usability of the outcome
• Increasing the Performance of the outcome
• Increasing the Maintainability of the outcome
• Increasing Accuracy and Reliability of information (data)
• Insuring Appropriateness of material
• Insuring Social Acceptance of outcome

28. Reflection on student practice
• During tech modelling evidence is gathered to justify decision
making
• Prediction of possible and probable consequences of the proposed
outcome
• Functional reasoning focuses on “how to make it happen” and
“how it is happening?”
• Practical reasoning focuses on “should we make it happen” and
“should it be happening?”
• Decisions as a result of technological modelling may include the :
termination of the development in the short or long term,
continuation of the development as planned, or changing/refining
the design concept and/or the nature of the technological outcome
before proceeding

29. Does this format hinder students?

30. Explain Means to give a reason or reasons – an explanation answers the question
"why?" or "how does that work?" If the text includes "because" or "so
that", it will be to explain something. Answers the question why? Or how
does it work? If the text includes “because” or “so that” it will explain
something. Makes links make links, explain further, because, WHY
Discuss Means to examine something in detail so as to reach a decision. This
usually means that more than one perspective is put forward and actively
considered. So as part of discussions we may get "compare and contrast".
Make a number of links, consider, use other examples, WHY & HOW
list with examples and reason (how and why); Substantiate- examples,
reasons and evidence, evaluation that implies judgement and a reasoned
selection or argument; analysis and critical examination of facts and
drawing conclusions based on these.
Justify To prove or show to be just, right, or reasonable
give a good reason for. To provide an explanation or rationale for
something to make it seem OK or to prove it is correct or OK
Evaluate To examine and judge carefully; appraise
determine relevance, significance, making an informed judgement