Technology and way of living

Technology and way of living

Years 5 through 8

The subject ‘Technology and way of living’ teaches knowledge, promotes skills and attitudes which help the pupils to efficiently utilise the achievements of modern technology and economy, while at the same time protecting them from any distorting effects it may have.

Technology has been interpreted in the most diverse way throughout history. For long millennia, it meant the entirety of practical knowledge collected through hands-on activities. Modern technology, however, requires other than only craftsmanship. One of the most significant question of our age concerns how we can coexist with the technical environment which we have for the very purpose of making life easier.

One of the aims of the subjects is to introduce pupils to the ways to prevent environmental damages, the concepts and requirements of sustainable development, and a form if environmental management which works systematically and goes to the roots of problems. No matter what complex scientific education we may envisage, it can only show how to cure symptoms of environmental damages done through technology. Emphasis should be on prevention, and the systematic process of technology teaching is suitable tool to this end.

The subject ‘Technology and way of living’ presents the coexistence of society, ecosystems and technical systems in its complexity. It covers topics such as household economics, the neighbourhood, home and its immediate surroundings, and garden skills. It also includes appropriate behaviour while on our way, as well as familiarity with traffic regulations. The subject ‘Technology and way of living’ introduces pupils to the complex system of technology through theoretical, practical, manual, design and modelling exercises.
Objectives of the subject through Year 5 to 8
Familiarity with and use of the concept of technical system; analysis of technical systems (machines, machinery systems, flexible production machinery, networks) and process (information gathering and processing, actual production technologies), Familiarity with computerised process control.

Description of technical innovation orally and in flowcharts, Description of great inventors and their inventions, with special emphasis on Hungarians.

Ways of producing energy, raw materials and information, their fields of application, processes and links between them. The role of the flow of materials, energy and information in the life of society, in management and in the transformation of nature.

Effects of technology on society and nature. Opinion-forming on sustainable development. Introduction of possible environmentally friendly sources of energy and raw materials, analysis of their applicability.

Contrasting materials and structures used in modern architecture with those of traditional and folk architecture . Examination of the place of living with respect to function, functionality, aesthetic qualities and form. Selecting materials for a particular functions on the basis of their properties and structure.

Familiarity with the systems of in-city, road, water and air transportation. Seeing the necessity of the regulation of traffic. Familiarity with traffic regulations and risk in road traffic. Behaviour in the event of a road accident. Familiarity with the rules binding on pedestrians and cyclists in the Official Traffic Regulations.

Familiarity with mass transport rules. Developing the correct behavioural elements related to travelling.

Establishing a lifestyle meeting the basic requirements of healthy life. Developing and practising behaviour which is protective of life and the environment. Education in the correspondences of household tasks and management.

Assessment helps self-evaluation and the ability to judge others correctly, and develops a need to check their own work.

Year 5
Number of teaching hours per year: 37

New activities	Contents
Man and his environment Discussions about the relationship between man and his environment.	Natural and man-made environment. Animals adapting to their environment. Man’s protection against environmental effects.
Tools Comparison of the tool use of humans and animals.	Tool use of animals. Simple tool of prehistoric humans and of natural people.
Technological environment Correct application of the concept of simple systems, listing examples of technical systems.	Human activity which transforms nature. Artificial environment.
Tools and means of communication Distinguishing between and using the concepts of hews, signal and information. Using mass media appliances (e.g. TV, radio, telephone).	The telephone. The history and evolution of radio and television. Modern information and communication systems.
Materials and the transformation of materials Presentation of the role of wood and stone through the evolution of architecture. Applying elementary material testing methods, gaining experience in the properties of materials. Examination of a specific object or technical system with respect to its function, functionality, structure, properties and form. Collecting, writing down and organising information gained through observation.	Categorisation of materials. Natural materials, e.g. wood, clay, stone. Processed (transformed) materials, e.g. textile, glass, metals, plastic. Perceivable qualities of materials, familiarity with simple attributes of materials. Plasticity and applicability of materials.
Design, building Making simple plans and sketches. Execution of a particular plan using a drawing. Using algorithms. Preparing simple, executable plans for practical activities.	The process of planning. Design according to function, form and aesthetic qualities.
Measurement Measuring at an accuracy of 1 mm, noting measurement results.	The role of measurements and the accuracy of measurement in technology. Elements in dimension specification, estimation, measuring, measurement marks.
Technical drawing Reading dimensions and arrangement from a simple technical drawing	Technical drawing, its symbols and signs. Rules or arrangement.
Buildings in our environment Systematic preparation for the creation of simple objects and mechanisms; execution. Introduction to creating a pleasant and environmentally friendly dwelling place, e.g. through designing a garden plot. The role of gardens, parks and indoor plants, e.g. through designing a house and its courtyard. Listing the functions of textiles in our home.	Aesthetic and ergonomic requirements of natural and man-made spaces, forms and spatial structures. The creation of harmony and an aesthetic environment. Characteristics of dwelling places, the evolution of building methods. Village and town. The place of living. The exposure of our place of living to risks. Correct behaviour in risk situations.
The operation of technical systems Interpreting the operation of technical systems. Examination of objects for particular aspects, for example, a car for safe operation.	Systems need energy to work.
Traffic skills Listing examples of the necessity of traffic regulation and of observing these regulations. Avoiding risks when using vehicles. Practising bicycle traffic. Servicing the bicycle. Correct behavioural elements related to travelling.	The history and evolution of vehicles. Modelling the operation of vehicles. The transportation system and its components. Means of transportation and travelling. Pedestrian traffic in settlements. Characteristics of pedestrian traffic in towns and in rural settlements. Mass transportation. Rules of mass transportation. Air pollution effects of mass transportation. Possibilities for avoiding environmental pollution.
	The history of the bicycle. Bicycle traffic. Safety devices on the bicycle. Rules of bicycle traffic. Possibilities for avoiding accidents; first aid at accidents.
Household skills, lifestyle Nutrition Familiarity with habits of healthy nutrition. Practising modern, environmentally friendly kitchen activities.	Healthy nutrition. Components of foodstuffs. Modern kitchen. Pots and pans, kitchen utensils. Cleanliness in the kitchen. Treatment of household waste. Typical Hungarian cuisine.
Household skills Organising household tasks	Elements in organising household tasks.
Clothing Simple methods of examining different textiles; for example, naming unknown textiles after examination of simple organoleptic properties. Processing fibrous materials: weaving, embroidery, knotting. Using clothes in a functional manner; care of clothes.	Textiles and their functions. Simple methods of examining textiles. Categorising raw materials of textiles. Fibrous materials of plant, animal and artificial origin. Peculiarities from the history of clothing and fashion.
Household economics	Familiarity with and comparison of prices. Assessing our financial means. Managing pocket money.

Concepts
Man and his environment
adaptation to the environment, tool use, environment, artificial environment, system, technical system.

Tools and means of communication
data, news, information, information system, signal, code, coding, mass communication
Materials and the transformation of materials
algorithm, processed (transformed) materials, metals, form, function, plastics, series of operations, natural materials
Design, building
accuracy of measurement, work safety, functionality, evaluation criteria, aesthetic environment, harmony, design which takes into account the environment, environmental pollution, measuring at an accuracy of 1 mm, technical drawing, operational algorithm, structure, tool use, basic concepts, the operation of technical systems, sketch.
Traffic skills
pedestrian traffic, sign, signal, traffic regulations, forwarding, mass transportation
Household skills, lifestyle
financial means, prices, healthy nutrition, aesthetic clothing style, financial management, household tasks, income, clothing, textile, cleanliness.
Prerequisites of moving ahead
Recognising simple everyday technical systems. Familiarity with the reasons for and the necessity of transforming our environment consciously. Application of basic concepts of communication, using mass media devices. Interpreting and executing simple operational algorithms (making simple plans and sketches). Estimation at an accuracy of 1 cm, measurement at 1 mm. Reading simple technical drawings (dimensions. arrangement).

Observation of the rules of pedestrian and bicycle traffic and mass transportation, as well as appropriate behaviour. Recognition of the division of tasks in the family, practising household tasks and tasks around the house. Using the necessary tools safely and professionally. Familiarity with environmentally friendly behaviour.

Year 6
Number of teaching hours per year: 37

New activities	Contents
Man and his environment Natural and artificial environment Observation of natural processes, e.g. motion, change, life and decay. Growing indoor plants or gardening. Regular cleaning of surroundings. Collecting waste fit for recycling.	Natural systems and their processes, the laws of nature. Men’s self-protection against unpleasant environmental effects. Using our technical environment with care and thought. Making changes which cause the least environmental damage. Management of natural resources.
Energy Gradual understanding of the concept of systems and the working of systems. Listing examples proving that systems (be they natural or man-made) always require energy to function.	Changes and making changes.
Systems of communication Using the concepts of news, sign, code and information. Introduction to the tools of information storage and transmission, as well as their operation. Logical, algorithmic thinking.	The world of signs. Code and information. Electric current. Basic circuits. The dangers of electric current. Logical circuits. The parts of the computer. Computer connections.
Materials and the transformation of materials Gaining further hands-on experience about the properties of materials. Testing the properties of metals: flexibility, rigidity, hardness, sectility.	Testing the physical properties of materials.
Processing materials Selection of materials by the criteria of properties and function, balancing advantages and disadvantages. Substitutability of materials. Planning and implementing economical, environmentally friendly operations. Selective waste disposal at the school.	Processes in technical systems, energy requirements of processes. The concept of technology. Raw material and base material. Mineral and other energy sources. The effects of mining on the environment. Prevention of environmental pollution, environmentally safe technologies. Waste and by-product.
Manufacturing Analysis of the bicycle as a technical system. Modelling control and regulation. Making simple systems to demonstrate form of control.	The machine as a technical system. Production lines, machinery systems.. Control and regulation. The role of standards in technology.
Planning, building Recognising technical correlations from a diagram. making a work plan with assistance. Modelling machines and their subsystems.	Planning and making sketches. Problem-solving algorithm, from planning to realisation.
Measurements Correct denotation of dimensions. Drawing objects to various scales.	Precision of measurements, scale. The significance of the accuracy of measuring in technology.
Technical drawing Interpretation of projection diagrams, recognising objects from their projection drawings. Following the working algorithm while making a simple technical drawing.	Interpretation of drawings, making technical drawings. Technical drawing standards. Projections, axonometry.
Buildings in our environment The role of models and scale models in shaping our environment. Making a scale model of the interior of a house. Applying the criteria of material, form, stability, balance and arrangement in an example of furnishing a house.	Properties, functions, internal spaces and the relationships between them in a house. The house and its surroundings. Environmentally friendly houses.
Traffic skills Practising behaviour aimed at avoiding accidents.	The evolution of road transport. Cycling traffic on a main road. The operation and the condition of a bicycle. Responsibility of actors in traffic.
Household skills, lifestyle The house Creating and maintaining a balanced, harmonious environment. Making home and school homely. Pleasant spaces, economical space management.	The importance of shaping our environment. Correlations between our environment and our general feeling. The history of furniture. Ornamentation of furniture. Introduction to healthy furniture.
Household economics Methods for planning income and spending	Internal structure of the expenditures of a family.
Kitchen technology Using simple kitchen devices, simpler machinery. Practising laying a table pleasantly. Cooking practice, e.g. cooking, steaming.	Correlations between nutritional needs, energy needs and lifestyle.
Clothing Care of clothes.	Traditional and modern technologies of textile production; care of textiles, mending.
Work organisation Observing and discussing the process of household tasks. Organising tasks. Discussion of the conditions of and possibility of selective waste disposal.	Types of household tasks. The division of work in the household. Selective disposal of household waste.

Concepts
Man and his environment
matter, energy, information, environmental damage, natural resources, change, making a change, disturbance.
Communication
circuit, bit, true or false statement, code, connections, computer.

Materials and the transformation of materials
input to a system, output of a system, machine, production line, waste, industrial variety, starting material, environmental pollution, by-product, work plan, moisture, raw material, selective waste disposal, technology, planning/design, variety.
Design, building
mechanical transformers, accuracy, standard, projection, projected image.
Traffic skills
road zones, queuing, yielding right of way, right-turn lane, left-turn lane, road signs, split road, emergency.
Household skills, lifestyle
laying the table aesthetically, division of labour in household tasks, the formation of living spaces, nutritional needs, space management.

Prerequisites of moving ahead
Using devices for the storage and transmission of information. Distinguishing between basic circuits and logical circuits on a schematic drawing. Selecting the materials, tools and machines needed for carrying out a task, and using them safely and professionally. Servicing simple mechanisms. Using simple technical drawings. Doing simple household tasks in practice.
Year 7
Number of teaching hours per year: 37

New activities	Contents
Systems of communication Familiarity with and using simple sensors. Application of the concept ‘signal’ and ‘code’. Sending and receiving radio signals, using the telephone, writing and reading letters, translating a text in practice.	Obtaining and processing information. Information system. Sources of information. Coding. Information channels. Storing information, The source-coder-channel-decoder-receiver chain. Similitude as a possible form of obtaining information.
Matter and energy Raw material and energy sources The properties of limestone. Familiarity with the outline of various types of mining (e.g. surface mining) and of ore mining.	Ores, minerals used in construction work and their mining. Fossil energy sources (mineral carbon, mineral oil, natural gas). Sulphur content of mineral carbon and mineral oil; acid rain.
Transforming and conserving technologies Introduction and comparison of a few actual production technology or vertical path (e.g. steel, aluminium, paper). Some possibilities of corrosion protection. Listing examples proving that conservation also requires energy.	Production as a chain of technologies. The production process. Raw material, product, waste materials, by-product, scheduled preventive maintenance, protection from corrosion.
Technologies of energy production Comparison of the functioning of power plants. Introduction of form of utilising alternative energy sources (e.g. constructing a simple solar collector (solar pool) for heating water).	The functioning of power plants. Waste incinerators. Environmental damaged caused by power plants and mining. Glass house effect and the assumed causes of the changes in the hole in the ozone layer. Environmentally friendly technologies and alternative energy sources. Using solar energy, wind, geothermic heat and biomass as energy sources.
Properties of materials, material testing Selecting materials by composition, properties and function. Determining substitutability and replaceability criteria, considering the properties of the material and the desired function.	Correlation between the structure of materials and their properties. Technological properties of metals; their application. Alloys. Raw materials, production and properties of plastics. Application of plastics. Substitutability and replaceability of materials. Raw materials of textiles… their application. Recycling of materials which polluted the environment.
Planning, building Describing the functioning of machines orally or in a sketch, for example, functioning of the sewing machine. Familiarity with mechanical and non-mechanical devices (e.g. computer, camera, copier). Making a plan on their own; making a work plan. Modelling subunits of machines. Designing simple mechanisms, e.g. drives.	Machines in our environment. The relationship between man and machine. General characteristics of machines. Machine units. Mechanical transformers. Machine systems and their units. Evolution of machines and machine systems (robots, CNC). Motors. The operation of the reciprocating steam-engine, the internal combustion engine, the electromotor and the generator. Shock protection. Innovation, patents. General interpretation of the concept of ‘machine’: e.g. camera, computer.
Traffic skills Using railroad and bus schedules. Possibilities for environmental conservation in transportation. Judging traffic situations. Safe interpretation of traffic signals. Practising the rules of bicycle traffic in exercises.	The system of road, air, water and railroad traffic. The history of transportation. Environmentally friendly use of vehicles. Road traffic regulations.
Household skills, lifestyle Nutrition and kitchen technology Establishing proper eating habits. Planning menus, nutritional value content and meals by calculating time and price. Planning a menu in accordance with the principles of healthy nutrition. Using kitchen appliances. Criteria in purchasing foodstuffs: contrasting price and quality.	The origin of our present-day eating habits. Storing food. Operation of the refrigerator. Transformation of materials in the kitchen. Agricultural production of raw materials of foods, characteristics of agricultural production in large farms and in the back garden. Biotechnology in food production.
Planning the living premises Practical examples of functional and colourful furnishing. Functional operation of average household machinery. Identifying the electric cables, water and natural gas pipes of a house. Caring for garden or indoor pants.	Components of infrastructure. Providing the house with energy. Opportunities for saving energy in the household. Energy-saving lighting and heating. Appropriate heat insulation. The role of plants in our life.
Sewing by hand and with a sewing machine Trying and comparing different types of seams.
Revenues and expenditures in a household Judging what the market offers. Rational decision-making by comparing prices and quality. Making a budget. Using consumer protection services.	Market, commerce and services; comparing market prices.
Household tasks Organisational aspects of daily and weekly cleaning and periodical house-cleaning. Planning and realisation of entertaining guests.	Useful ways of organising household tasks. Planning daily, weekly and monthly tasks. Receiving guests.

Concepts
Communication
data carrier, element, information systems, memory, system, subsystem, computer controlled systems
Matter and energy
alternative energy source, replaceability, energy source, power plant, metals, fossil energy sources, natural gas, replaceability, waste incinerator, waste management, glost ware, mineral oil, environmentally friendly energy sources, wood-coal, renewable energy, plastics, raw material, hole in the ozone layer, subtechnology, acid rain, technology, production, recycling, uranium ore, glasshouse effect.
Design, building
internal combustion engines, machines, machine parts, machine systems, steam engine, robot, flexible production line.
Traffic skills
visibility, blinding light, alert driving, road markings, road signs, parallel traffic, road system, railroad system.
Household skills, lifestyle
minerals, raw foodstuffs, energy table, energy-saving, food-making, menu, proteins, consumer protection, planning household tasks, hygiene, infrastructure, home textiles, oils, clothes materials, carbohydrates, vegetable garden, vitamins, fats.
Activities required for moving ahead
Familiarity with the functioning of information systems, information channels and simple sensors though actual examples. Introduction of a particular simple production process. Comparison of types of power plants on an elementary level. Familiarity with alternative energy sources and environmentally friendly technologies. Using sketches to describe the functioning of machines. Using simple household appliances. Designing a modern menu individually. Recognising components of infrastructure. Using different types of sewing. Recognising major Hungarian and foreign inventors and inventions.

Year 8
Number of teaching hours per year: 37