Technology and Applied Studies 2012 Stage 6

Year 12 Innovation Assessment Task

Point 1 Identify and describe your chosen innovation. Include specific information on: The need that it meets Its functionality The aesthetic values present in the design Point 2 Research and record the important phases of development that occurred with the chosen innovation. If possible, use a timeline to explain the sequence of events. Identify and describe the design processes used. Indicate which of these principles lies behind the chosen innovation. Does it: Solve an existing problem in a new way Use new technology in an existing situation Follow green design principles Employ new shapes Engage new or a wider range of user groups Rely on miniaturization Follow the philosophy and concept of down teaching Combine a number of functions in a new or unique way Redefine an existing problem Point 3 Describe how the ideas were developed or adapted by the designer of the chosen innovation. Did they utilize any or all of the following creative processes? Lateral thinking PMI concept pluses, minuses and interesting Blooms taxonomy Brainstorming Creative concept maps Think pair share Sketching their ideas Examining other existing products Creating prototypes and models Point 4 Identify and explain how any or all of the following factors impacted on your chosen innovation: The marketing strategies chosen by the advertising consultants Timing of the release did it coincide with a natural disaster or world event? Political factors such as policy or government ideology change Economic boom or downturn Cultural factors such as religious beliefs Social influences and fashions Legal factors, which often change in line with government policy, making a product either a necessity or negating its use. Point 5 Describe how emerging technologies have been incorporated into or impacted upon your chosen innovation. In some cases, the innovation will have utilized an emerging technology or indeed the emerging technology may be the source of the innovation. In other circumstances, the emerging technology will create competition or overtake the existing one, as is the case with DVD superseding video

Point 6 Have government, commercial, industrial or other agencies played a significant role in determining the success of the innovation? Did the innovator seek assistance from or involve organisations such as the following? Patents Office Patent or trademark attorneys Council of Small Business Organisations of Australia International Council for Small Business Local business development centre Government agencies Point 7 Describe the role the entrepreneur has played in the success of your chosen innovation. An entrepreneur performs the following business functions as part of their role in the company. They will: Seek out and establish marketing opportunities Arrange financial backing for the innovation Secure patents and other intellectual property protection Organise the supply of components, raw materials and labour for manufacturing Determine the target market and advertising strategies Create structures and processes for sales, distribution and servicing Where possible, your study should identify the ways in which the entrepreneur has completed these tasks with your chosen innovation. Point 8 Each designer will need to consider the ethical and social issues arising from their design, both from a personal point of view and that of the wider society. The following factors have an impact on the innovation and its acceptance in the market: Are there any short-term or long-term ill effects for the user? Do intellectual property rights remain intact? Does the innovation breach privacy laws? Is there exposure to the undesirable of offensive materials? Are the advertising strategies ethical? Has the product been tested on animals or humans? Doe it have a detrimental impact on the environment? Does it promote or utilise sustainable technologies? Does it infringe on the rights of minority groups? If any of these or other ethical/social issues associated with your innovation, identify them in the report and describe how the designer has dealt with the issues. Point 9 Discuss in detail, any environmental issues impacting on the design and whether they have helped or hindered its success. Does the innovation: Add to the greenhouse effect or global warming? Deplete the ozone layer? Contribute to tropical deforestation by using hardwood? Produce excessive waste? Point 10 How does the innovation contribute to or detract from the quality of life in Australian society and what are the implications for the future? Has the innovation: Facilitated social change? Created more leisure time? Improved community health or raised awareness of health issues? Raised literacy levels or improved access to education? Provided additional or new employment opportunities? Changed or influenced our perceptions of national identity? Contributed to the countrys store of intellectual property? Created an alternative future? Had any other major impact on society?