FULL NAMES
STUDENT NUMBER:
UNIQUE NUMBER: 769333
MODULE CODE: NST2602
MODULE NAME: SCIENCE FOR
CLASSROOM 4
ASSIGNMENT: 03
DUE DATE: 27 JULY 2025
,Question 1
1.1 Explain the meaning of technology and provide examples of its uses in
society.
Technology is the ability to apply knowledge and skills to develop practical tools and
solutions that make life easier or help people do things more efficiently. It is not limited
to machines or electronics it includes any method or tool people use to solve a problem
or meet a need. The word “technology” comes from the Greek word “techné,” which
means craft or skill, and “logos,” meaning reason or logic. So, at its core, technology is
about using practical reasoning and knowledge to create something useful. In modern
society, technology is everywhere. For example, people use smartphones to
communicate, navigate through GPS, and access the internet. Farmers rely on tractors
and irrigation systems to grow food more effectively. In education, schools use
projectors and e-learning tools to improve teaching. Even something as simple as a
water tap is technology that helps people access clean water. Whether it is using a
fridge to store food or a stove to cook it, these tools reflect how deeply embedded
technology is in everyday life (NST2602 B0 LS03, 2025:2; NST2602 Study Guide,
2021:2).
1.2 Describe the role of Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) in technology
development.
Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) have always played an important part in shaping
technology within communities, long before Western science was introduced. IKS refers
to the knowledge that is passed down through generations by indigenous communities
through storytelling, observation, and practical experience. This knowledge is used in
farming, healing, construction, and many other areas. For example, people living in rural
areas have long used natural materials like clay and thatch to build houses that are cool
in summer and warm in winter. These methods show a deep understanding of the
environment and resource management. IKS is often community-based and reflects the
values and lifestyles of the people who use it. Its importance in technology development
lies in its ability to offer low-cost, sustainable, and context-specific solutions. For
example, traditional farming techniques that rely on crop rotation and natural fertilisers
, show how communities can protect the land while growing food. Today, IKS is being
recognised for its value in shaping environmentally friendly technologies that are
respectful of both culture and nature (NST2602 LS04 SB PART A, 2025:3).
1.3 List the key steps in the design process in technology education and explain
each briefly.
The design process in technology education is a structured way of solving problems by
moving through five main stages. These are: Investigate, Design, Make, Evaluate, and
Communicate. First, during the Investigate stage, learners try to understand the
problem they are facing. They gather information, do research, and ask questions about
what needs to be done. The next step is Design. Here, learners sketch ideas and
choose materials. They plan how the product will look and how it will work. Then comes
the Make step, where the actual product is built or put together using tools and
materials. After making the product, learners move to the Evaluate stage. In this step,
they test their solution, reflect on whether it works well, and look for ways to improve it.
The final stage is Communicate. Learners present their ideas, explain how they solved
the problem, and share their results. This could be done in written form, through oral
presentations, or posters. Each stage helps learners think critically and creatively while
applying both theory and hands-on skills (NST2602 LS03 003, 2025:1; NST2602 Study
Guide, 2021:6).
1.4 Define conceptual knowledge and explain its importance in technology
education.
Conceptual knowledge involves understanding the relationships between different ideas
and systems. It is not just about knowing facts, but about grasping how those facts
connect to one another. For example, in civil technology, when learners build a small
model of a house, they must understand how things like foundations, beams, and
roofing all work together. They need to know that if the foundation is weak, the entire
structure could collapse. In hydraulics, learners should understand how pressure, force,
and fluid movement are connected. Conceptual knowledge helps learners to make
sense of the bigger picture and see how different parts work as a system. In technology
education, this kind of understanding is essential because it gives learners the tools to
STUDENT NUMBER:
UNIQUE NUMBER: 769333
MODULE CODE: NST2602
MODULE NAME: SCIENCE FOR
CLASSROOM 4
ASSIGNMENT: 03
DUE DATE: 27 JULY 2025
,Question 1
1.1 Explain the meaning of technology and provide examples of its uses in
society.
Technology is the ability to apply knowledge and skills to develop practical tools and
solutions that make life easier or help people do things more efficiently. It is not limited
to machines or electronics it includes any method or tool people use to solve a problem
or meet a need. The word “technology” comes from the Greek word “techné,” which
means craft or skill, and “logos,” meaning reason or logic. So, at its core, technology is
about using practical reasoning and knowledge to create something useful. In modern
society, technology is everywhere. For example, people use smartphones to
communicate, navigate through GPS, and access the internet. Farmers rely on tractors
and irrigation systems to grow food more effectively. In education, schools use
projectors and e-learning tools to improve teaching. Even something as simple as a
water tap is technology that helps people access clean water. Whether it is using a
fridge to store food or a stove to cook it, these tools reflect how deeply embedded
technology is in everyday life (NST2602 B0 LS03, 2025:2; NST2602 Study Guide,
2021:2).
1.2 Describe the role of Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) in technology
development.
Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) have always played an important part in shaping
technology within communities, long before Western science was introduced. IKS refers
to the knowledge that is passed down through generations by indigenous communities
through storytelling, observation, and practical experience. This knowledge is used in
farming, healing, construction, and many other areas. For example, people living in rural
areas have long used natural materials like clay and thatch to build houses that are cool
in summer and warm in winter. These methods show a deep understanding of the
environment and resource management. IKS is often community-based and reflects the
values and lifestyles of the people who use it. Its importance in technology development
lies in its ability to offer low-cost, sustainable, and context-specific solutions. For
example, traditional farming techniques that rely on crop rotation and natural fertilisers
, show how communities can protect the land while growing food. Today, IKS is being
recognised for its value in shaping environmentally friendly technologies that are
respectful of both culture and nature (NST2602 LS04 SB PART A, 2025:3).
1.3 List the key steps in the design process in technology education and explain
each briefly.
The design process in technology education is a structured way of solving problems by
moving through five main stages. These are: Investigate, Design, Make, Evaluate, and
Communicate. First, during the Investigate stage, learners try to understand the
problem they are facing. They gather information, do research, and ask questions about
what needs to be done. The next step is Design. Here, learners sketch ideas and
choose materials. They plan how the product will look and how it will work. Then comes
the Make step, where the actual product is built or put together using tools and
materials. After making the product, learners move to the Evaluate stage. In this step,
they test their solution, reflect on whether it works well, and look for ways to improve it.
The final stage is Communicate. Learners present their ideas, explain how they solved
the problem, and share their results. This could be done in written form, through oral
presentations, or posters. Each stage helps learners think critically and creatively while
applying both theory and hands-on skills (NST2602 LS03 003, 2025:1; NST2602 Study
Guide, 2021:6).
1.4 Define conceptual knowledge and explain its importance in technology
education.
Conceptual knowledge involves understanding the relationships between different ideas
and systems. It is not just about knowing facts, but about grasping how those facts
connect to one another. For example, in civil technology, when learners build a small
model of a house, they must understand how things like foundations, beams, and
roofing all work together. They need to know that if the foundation is weak, the entire
structure could collapse. In hydraulics, learners should understand how pressure, force,
and fluid movement are connected. Conceptual knowledge helps learners to make
sense of the bigger picture and see how different parts work as a system. In technology
education, this kind of understanding is essential because it gives learners the tools to
