Grade 11 - Product Development(Problem Solving)

This sub-organizer contains the following sections:
Prescribed Learning Outcomes
Suggested Instructional Strategies
Suggested Assessment Strategies
Recommended Learning Resources

PRESCRIBED LEARNING OUTCOMES

It is expected that students will:

analyse the effect of design elements in a production process, based on the following factors:
- principles of engineering
- standards of quality and reliability
- reduction of waste
communicate solutions to problems encountered in product development
demonstrate an understanding of the steps involved in managing product development projects

To view the prescribed learning outcomes for Product Development (Problem Solving) in other grades click on an icon below.

SUGGESTED INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGIES

Students learn to draw on the principles of product development and learn product evaluation skills to solve problems related to the development of products or systems. They develop these skills and this understanding as they work individually and in groups to evaluate production processes and solve problems.

In teams, challenge students to apply their understanding of problem solving by developing products for a current or future market (e.g., an age-specific children´s toy, a device that enhances a student´s locker, luggage that meets airline regulations).
Provide students with commercial drawings, plans, or schematics, and have them develop project-management materials (e.g., construction schedules for a greenhouse, parts lists for an electric wheelchair, cutting plans for an Adirondack chair, patterns for a lightweight tent).
At the end of a team project, have students suggest ways to improve on the processes and products they have completed. Challenge them to assess the products using criteria based on design elements and to evaluate individual team members´ contributions. Ask them to summarize their discussions by developing action plans to modify the products and manage their development.

SUGGESTED ASSESSMENT STRATEGIES

As students work individually and in groups to develop products, they can demonstrate their abilities to apply problem-solving and project-management strategies.

As students begin to work on designing children´s toys, ask them to research standards of quality and reliability and to apply those in their designs. Note the extent to which students are able to:
- identify appropriate sources of information
- identify standards that apply to their toys
- develop designs to meet identified standards
After students have completed their product designs, have them self-assess their group problem-solving skills. Prompt students with questions such as:
- What problems came up as you developed your product?
- What did you do when you encountered difficulty?
- Were you able to redefine the design problem as you went along?
- If you were to start again, what would you do differently?
- What did you learn that you can apply to other projects?
Have students in groups suggest design improvements for their completed projects. Observe the extent to which they are able to:
- identify weaknesses in their designs
- generate ideas that will improve the design of their products
- develop plans to address the design changes
- work independently and co-operatively to produce design changes
As a post-production activity, ask design teams to investigate waste management. Assess the extent to which students are able to:
- identify areas of waste
- suggest several ways of reducing waste
- suggest possible methods of recycling or reusing materials