Ergonomics, aesthetics and the design stage

What technology is, ergonomics and aesthetics, the first design stages, and 2D and 3D drawings. Read one part at a time and tap “I know this”. Then test yourself in the quiz.

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Ergonomics and aesthetics

	Ergonomics	Aesthetics
What it is about	Use: comfort and safety	Appearance: colour, shape, texture
Good example	A handle that fits the hand; an adjustable chair	A neat, attractive finish
Poor example	A school desk too high for Grade 4s	A product that looks ugly

Poor ergonomics causes discomfort, fatigue or injury. Left-handed scissors exist so that they fit left-handed users properly.

Tap when you could tell someone without looking.

Scale and magnets

We use scale to fit large or small objects onto paper. Twice the size = 2 : 1; half the size = 1 : 2.
After evaluation: improve the design and communicate the results.
Every magnet has a north and a south pole; the force is strongest at the poles. Iron filings show the field.

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Remember this and test yourself

Remember this: your summary

Technology: using knowledge and skills to solve problems (it can also create new ones).
Ergonomics: how comfortable and safe a product is to use.
Aesthetics: how attractive a product looks and feels. Function: what it must do.
Stages: investigate → design (sketch ideas, choose the best) → make a prototype first.
2D: length and width. 3D: length, width AND height.

Write these points in your book. Read them again the night before the test.

Memory trick

Ergonomics = how it works in your hand. Aesthetics = how it looks to your eye.

Flash cards · Tap to turn over

Important words

First say what the word means, then turn the card over.

Test yourself · Part 2

True or false?

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All Grade 7 Technology summaries

For parents

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