Year 9 - Design and technology
Product in use
The circular economy
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
In this unit pupils will develop knowledge of technology in society and its effects on design. Through the life cycle assessment of popular products, they will learn how to be responsible designers.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to explain how to reduce the environmental impact of a product during use.
Key Notes
- Designers consider the environmental impact of a product in use.
- Adjustable and modular products have a positive environmental impact.
Vocabulary To Learn
- design decisions: a deliberate choice to meet a requirement or solve a problem
- durability: ability of a product or material to withstand wear, pressure, or damage over time
- modular design: a design approach where a product is made up of separate, interchangeable parts or modules
- design opportunity: a gap, or a need where a new or improved product would be beneficial
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Considering a product's energy use is the only way to design a sustainable product.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain the lesson in two key points.
Designers consider the environmental impact of a product in use. Adjustable and modular products have a positive environmental impact.
2. What does this key word mean in this lesson? 'design decisions'
a deliberate choice to meet a requirement or solve a problem.
3. Correct this common mistake.
Mistake: Considering a product's energy use is the only way to design a sustainable product. Correction: There are many other ways to design a product to be sustainable when in use, including designing products to grow with users, be adjusted, modularity, reused etc.
More Lessons In This Unit
Browse all guides in the Year 9 Design and technology guide library.