LiU Electronic Press

Instruction in technology education is implemented through projects corresponding to the pupil’s stage of development. Methods of experimentation, investigation, and invention should be practiced actively. Starting points for projects can be found from everyday life problems, artefacts and materials. The technological problem solving process encompasses phases of setting out the problem/task, exploring possibilities, brainstorming, from a chosen idea to planning an accurate solution, realizing the project and testing and evaluation.

In order to improve assessment of designing in technology education, a model was developed that works as a pedagogical step-by-step tool to enhance the design process. This tool serves two purposes: first, for the pupils to develop their metacognitive skills about the design process and their ability to self-assess, and also for the teacher to be able to assess the process. The model is demonstrated by one case: the “Birdhouse Band” project, as an example of applying the technological problem solving process.