SA NCS:Engineering Graphics and Design
Introducing the Subject
DEFINITION
Engineering Graphics and Design integrates cognitive and manipulative skills to communicate graphically, using a combination of lines, symbols and signs in order to produce products, processes, services and systems which contribute towards economic growth and enhanced quality of life.
PURPOSE
Engineering Graphics and Design will contribute towards learners' technological literacy by giving them opportunities to:
- develop and apply specific skills to solve technological problems related to Engineering Graphics and Design;
- understand the concepts and knowledge used in Engineering Graphics and Design, and use them responsibly and purposefully; and
- appreciate the interaction between people's values and attitudes, technology, society, environment and human rights.
Engineering Graphics and Design will provide learners in Further Education and Training schools with an opportunity directly related to the attainment of the Critical Outcomes, which are embedded in the Learning Outcomes.
They will learn how to:
- identify and solve design problems while making responsible decisions using critical and creative thinking when applied to Engineering Graphics and Design;
- work effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organisation or community using Engineering Graphics and Design to make models;
- organise and manage themselves and their activities responsibly and effectively when researching the idea, thinking about it and make drawings to develop more ideas;
- collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information before producing a working drawing;
- communicate effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in oral and/or written modes when applied to Engineering Graphics and Design;
- use science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and towards the health of others when using and producing engineering graphics and designs;
- understand and implement the ethical provisioning of services; and
- demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem contexts do not exist in isolation, with the application of Engineering Graphics and Design.
In order to contribute to the full personal development of each learner and to the social and economic development of society at large, Engineering Graphics and Design will make learners aware of the importance of:
- reflecting on and exploring a variety of strategies to learn more effectively;
- participating as responsible citizens in the life of local, national and global communities;
- being culturally and aesthetically sensitive across a range of social contexts;
- exploring education and career opportunities;
- developing entrepreneurial opportunities; and
- using technology-based tools when engaged in computer-aided design and draughting to communicate
graphically.
SCOPE
Engineering Graphics and Design as a subject gives learners the opportunity to:
- communicate ideas graphically by employing drawing instruments and computer-based tools;
- learn by solving problems in creative ways;
- carry out practical projects and tasks using the process skills of investigating by means of meaningful research, designing, making, evaluating and communicating;
- learn by dealing directly with human rights and social and environmental issues in their project work;
- use and engage with knowledge in a purposeful way; and
- create more positive attitudes, perceptions and aspirations towards manufacturing, engineering and technology-based careers.
The two Learning Outcomes in Engineering Graphics and Design are interrelated, and are based on the following principles:
- physical products: Learners will be able to demonstrate the ability to design, draw and communicate graphically. They will also demonstrate the potential to build a variety of objects using different types of tools and equipment and a wide range of natural and processed materials;
- human processes: Learners will be able to demonstrate the ability to learn about and analyse a range of human production processes. They will undertake projects that require them to design, develop and use examples of such processes; and
- environmental systems: Learners will be able to demonstrate the ability to analyse and learn about different environmental systems and the technologies that make it possible to use or modify those systems to suit our own purposes. They will examine the impact of technology on the natural environment, and learn about the beneficial and the harmful effects and the short-term consequences of various types of technological intervention. Engineering Graphics and Design also offers new scope and opportunities for people with
disabilities to be economically independent.
The following concepts are included to prepare learners for career pathways and for Higher Education and Training in architectural, civil, mechanical and electrical engineering:
- cognitive development (visualisation, insight and perception);
- free-hand, instrument and computer-aided design;
- 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional drawings;
- projection methods;
- spatial drawings; and
- sectioning (detail and assembly drawing).
Embedded in each of these concepts are the following technologies:
- mechanical technology;
- electrical technology;
- civil technology; and
- architectural technology.
Engineering Graphics and Design can open up a range of career opportunities to people with disabilities to ensure that they become economically independent.
EDUCATIONAL AND CAREER LINKS
In the General Education and Training band, the Technology Learning Area Statement is an integrated study covering a wide range of technological areas. The Technology Learning Area is organised around the following Learning Outcomes:
- technological processes and skills;
- technological knowledge and understanding; and
- technology, society and the environment.
The Technology Learning Area encourages learners to engage in investigating, designing, making, evaluating and communicating solutions. It equips learners with knowledge and skills that enable them to be competent and confident when operating within a manufacturing, engineering or technological environment.
In order to satisfy the requirements of mobility between National Qualifications Framework (NQF) levels, progression to Higher Education and other career pathways, Engineering Graphics and Design includes but is not limited to:
- applications of the principles of Mathematics, Physical Sciences, Computer Applications Technology and Life Sciences to manufacturing, engineering and technology problem solving;
- conceptual design, synthesis and graphics;
- conceptual knowledge, understanding and application of materials and processes in manufacturing and the built environment;
- architectural, mechanical, structural, electrical and civil engineering;
- communicating technical, supervisory and general management effectively, both orally and in writing, using appropriate language, structure, style and graphical support;
- application of codes of practice (standards and conventions) and legislation;
- mobilising indigenous knowledge so that learners can benefit from indigenous technologies and indigenous technological solutions; and
- enabling learners to consider a range of technological solutions to problems, particularly those that are more sustainable and ones that are not detrimental to human health, well-being and the environment.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
Learning Outcome 1: Techniques, Skills and Technologies
The learner is able to understand and apply techniques, skills and technologies related to the production of engineering graphics by working across a range of design and engineering disciplines ethically and responsibly through free-hand drawing, instrument drawing and computer-aided design and draughting.
In this Learning Outcome, learners must demonstrate the ability to understand, analyse and competently apply the fundamental principles of Engineering Graphics and Design, which include free-hand drawing, instrument drawing and computer-aided design and draughting programmes, utilising the responsible application of ethics.
Learning Outcome 2: Graphical Communication
The learner is able to understand and apply knowledge of the principles of global graphical communication in solving technological and design problems in an aesthetically, ethically and responsible way.
In this Learning Outcome, learners must demonstrate the ability to apply problem-solving principles in respect of the identification, analysis and development of a wide and varied range of data and information related to Engineering Graphics and Design.
ACRONYMS
AIDS - Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
CADD - Computer-Aided Design and Draughting
CASS - Continuous Assessment
DO - Developmental Outcome
FET - Further Education and Training
GET - General Education and Training
HIV - Human Immunodeficiency Virus
IKS - Indigenous Knowledge Systems
NCS - National Curriculum Statement
NQF - National Qualifications Framework
OBE - Outcomes-Based Education
SABS - South African Bureau of Standards
SAQA - South African Qualifications Authority
SANS - South African National Standards
|
