The real problem is not whether machines think but whether men do.

B.F. Skinner

Technology and technological developments have given rise to profound changes in society, transforming how we access and process information, how we communicate with others and how we work and solve problems.

The MYP holistic approach to teaching and learning acknowledges that inquiry and problem solving contribute to students’ development of thinking skills and strategies that will equip them to face the rapidly changing demands of the 21st century.

MYP technology aims to provide the means and the context to help students become skillful problem solvers, who can appreciate the role of technology in everyday life and society and who can respond critically and resourcefully to real‑life challenges.

The MYP technology course intends to:

  • challenge all students to apply practical and creative‑thinking skills to solve problems in technology

  • encourage students to explore the role of technology in both historical and contemporary contexts

  • raise students’ awareness of their responsibilities as world citizens when making decisions and taking action on technology issues.

Inquiry and problem solving are at the heart of MYP technology. During the five year course, students are expected to solve problems using technology. MYP technology uses the design cycle as the model of thinking and the strategy to help students investigate problems and design, plan, create and evaluate the products/solutions that they generate. A product/solution can be defined as a model, prototype, product or system that students have generated independently. This means that MYP technology expects students to become actively involved in and to focus on the whole design process rather than on the final products/solutions.

MYP technology requires the use of the design cycle for solving problems in technology and promotes a practical and inquiry‑based approach. This helps students to develop not only practical skills but also creative- and critical‑thinking strategies.

MYP technology branches

Technology and technology developments are based upon the foundation of the use of information, materials and systems. MYP technology expects students to become aware of this fact through their involvement in the technology courses developed by the school.

Information

MYP technology enables students to identify, access, evaluate and acknowledge a wide range of information sources. Information‑based products/solutions use and/or communicate information to perform a task, achieve a purpose, meet a need or solve a problem.

Materials

In many cases creating a product/solution involves using materials. These may be natural or synthetic, and will differ according to geographical location, culture and available resources. Students should be able to identify, combine, experiment with, shape and handle different types of materials, and safely dispose of, or recycle, waste products. Students must select processing techniques that are appropriate to both the chosen material(s) and the product/solution to be created.

Systems

Students need to recognize the parts of a system (input, processing and control, and output) as well as the crucial role each component plays as part of the whole. Students should create systems‑based products/solutions involving a group of interdependent items that interact to perform a task or achieve a purpose. These items may be materials, components or information that have been incorporated into a system in order to provide a solution to a problem.

At DISV we offer both Design Technology and Computer Technology as part of the taught curriculum. They meet for three 40 minutes sessions per week from Grade 6 to Grade 10 for the whole year on a rotational basis. The Aims and Objectives and Curriculum Overview can be found in this section of the website.

Graduation 2010 photos

More »

Show all news »