The Design Cycle

Along with the required 50 hours of technology, students must know and engage in the Design Cycle. The Design Cycle is at the heart of IB Technology. Students may learn stages of the Design Cycle in pieces and over time. For example, the technology teacher may focus on the Investigation/Research with the 6th grade by researching and investigating an interrelated topic such as, To what extent can humans impact the global warming issue?

Components of the Design Cycle:

1. Investigate
• students investigate the problem and research topic
• students create questions that will be answered by solving this problem
• They formulate the design specifications in this stage as well; listing the actual requirements for the final product or project; the design specs must detail the function, material, erognomics of the final product
• establish how this product or project will benefit others; impact society
• and students must develop the evaluation tool or establish how the final product will be assessed or evaluated.
  
2. Plan
• generate several feasible designs that meet the design specs formulated in the investigation portion
• evaluate the designs
• select one design and justify choice
• construct the product plan or compose the logical steps for the plan
• make effective use of resources and time for plan; create timeline
  
• evaluate plan and justify any modifications to design
  
3. Create
• use a range of appropriate techniques
• keep journal of steps complete with photos or screen shots
• document any changes
• ensure a safe working environment
• follow the plan
• evaluate the plan and justify changes
• create the product or solution
  
4. Evaluate
• carry out tests to evaluate product or solution
• evaluate success using the evaluation tool created in the investigation section
• explain how the product could be improved
• suggest ways in which their performance could be improved
5. Attitudes
• This is an add-on to the criteria that goes above and beyond
• involves the students' development as caring and responsible individuals and contributing members of society

As stated above, the Design Cycle could be implement with a variety of content areas or implement sections of the cycle for certain projects. Overall, students show know the cycle and apply it holistically for their final Personal Project in year 5 (10th grade).