Technology and Digitisation · 3º ESO · Unit 1

Project Planning EN

Student worksheet · Sessions 1 and 2 of 5 · Colegio Reina Sofía · Totana

This is a printed backup of an interactive HTML workbook. Write your answers by hand in the space provided.
55 minSession 1 of 5

What's Technology? Factors & Definition

Section 1 of the unit · pages 2–3

1 Let's read and learn ~12 min

Technology helps us solve problems and satisfy our needs. A technologist is an expert in specific technology. Technologists use a variety of elements to design and create technological objects and systems.

1.1 Factors related to technology. These are the elements every technologist uses:

  • Materials: technologists choose the most appropriate materials in terms of their properties.
  • Scientific and Technical Knowledge: these are what new solutions are based on.
  • Computers: these improve and facilitate the design, production, and team coordination.
  • Technical Drawings: these transmit our ideas and give the dimensions of the objects we want to create.
  • Technical Skills: these are necessary to know how to use, process and transform materials into assembled objects.
  • Economic Factors: the price of raw materials, the cost of production, and the buying power and habits of potential customers are all important factors in technology.

1.2 Definition. Bearing these factors in mind, we can define the concept of technology as follows:

"Technology is the coordinated application of knowledge (science) and skills (techniques) to create a solution (object or technological system) that allows us to satisfy our needs or solve our problems."

Key vocabulary

  • technology – tecnología
  • technologist – tecnólogo/a
  • need – necesidad
  • material – material
  • scientific knowledge – conocimiento científico
  • technical knowledge – conocimiento técnico
  • computer – ordenador
  • technical drawing – dibujo técnico
  • technical skill – destreza técnica
  • economic factor – factor económico
  • raw material – materia prima
  • production cost – coste de producción
  • buying power – poder adquisitivo
  • solution – solución
  • skill / technique – destreza / técnica
2 Practice time ~15 min

1. Sort each item into its factor

Tap an item, then tap the factor it belongs to.

2. Match: factor ↔ what it means

Tap a factor on the left, then tap its matching description on the right.

3. Fill in the gap

Complete each sentence with a word from the bank.

3 Quiz time! ~15 min

Get ready on your device — your teacher is going to launch a live quiz about everything you've just learnt. Answer fast and carefully!

✦ If we have extra time

60-second challenge: in pairs, choose one everyday object in the classroom. List the materials, knowledge/skills and economic factors that were probably involved in designing it — say your answers out loud in English.

55 minSession 2 of 5

Stages of a Technological Project

Section 2 of the unit · page 4

1 Let's read and learn ~12 min

When a group of technologists work together on a project, the first thing they do is plan. This involves carrying out a needs analysis and working out individual proposals. Here are the typical stages of a technological project:

StageWhat happens
1. Needs IdentificationIdentify a need and start looking for a solution.
2. Solution DevelopmentDevelop the solution through research and collaboration.
3. Design and PrototypingCreate technical drawings and prototypes.
4. Testing and EvaluationTest the solution and evaluate its effectiveness.
5. ImplementationFinalise the design and move towards production.
6. MarketingLaunch the product and market it to the public.

The diagram in your book shows a similar cycle with short labels: NEED → IDEA → DESIGN → CONSTRUCTION → VERIFICATION → MARKETING — the same six stages, described with shorter names.

Key vocabulary

  • project – proyecto
  • stage – etapa / fase
  • needs identification – identificación de necesidades
  • solution development – desarrollo de la solución
  • design – diseño
  • prototype / prototyping – prototipo / creación de prototipos
  • testing – pruebas
  • evaluation – evaluación
  • implementation – implementación
  • marketing – comercialización
  • research – investigación
  • collaboration – colaboración
  • launch – lanzamiento
2 Practice time ~15 min

1. Put the stages of a technological project in order

Tap the six stages in the correct order — from identifying the need to marketing the product.

2. Match: stage ↔ description

Tap a stage on the left, then tap its matching description on the right.

3. Fill in the gap

Complete each sentence with a word from the bank.

3 Quiz time! ~15 min

Get ready on your device — your teacher is going to launch a live quiz about everything you've just learnt. Answer fast and carefully!

✦ If we have extra time

Design challenge: in your group, choose a simple everyday problem (e.g. "my pencil case is always a mess"). In one sentence each, write your NEED → IDEA/DESIGN → how you would TEST it → how you would MARKET it.