what is the design cycle?
"There are a few ‘standardised’ headings that are associated with the 'Design Cycle’ but the best approach is to use these as a guide and add reviews and analysis into the list at almost all the stages of the design of your product. Obviously the ‘research’ section can carry on to some extent after the main bulk of research has been completed since it can constantly inform what developments or changes you might make. Equally sensible will be for the Ideas to continue to be adapted as the ‘making’ work is carrying on. If your brain stops working as soon as any particular section has been completed then clearly you are not going to get the best out of either yourself or the design features that might be seen in the completed product. Finally ask yourself who you made the product for. Find out the views of others around you and see if the product can be improved - if it can then make proposals as to how it will be done. Don’t forget to consider the ‘manufacturing stage’ too!"
"Middle Years Programme curriculum
Technology
This course is essentially concerned with solving problems in an effort to stimulate students’ ingenuity and to encourage them to combine intellectual talents and practical skills.
Schools are granted flexibility in the choice of technology subjects, but each course provides a balance between three key areas:
systems
information
materials.
In particular, students are encouraged to display ingenuity and creativity in devising practical solutions to given tasks. Students use the design cycle to:
investigate
design
plan
create
evaluate.
This subject area is valuable for reinforcing and integrating skills learned in other disciplines, especially in the presentation and handling of data and the processes involved in the design and manufacture of a product. At the same time, it fosters awareness of the social and ethical implications of technological development."
http://www.ibo.org/myp/curriculum/group8/
