Document Type

Article

Journal/Book Title/Conference

The Technology Teacher

Volume

69

Issue

8

Publisher

International Technology and Engineering Educators Association

Publication Date

2010

First Page

12

Last Page

16

Abstract

The article analyzes a design assessment-based activity, in which students are asked to evaluate an existing technology through a Consumer Reports-style approach. According to H. Petroski, the exposure of students to several design examples is important to start learning the basic elements needed in the design process. It claims that the activity will enable students to sharpen their knowledge in several areas including identifying design constraints and criteria, training via study of open designs, and practicing engineering design methods for optimization. It suggests that these are important skills for creating the student's capacity to undertake bigger design activities.

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