Ergonomic testing and design development
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can test the ergonomics of a model and use data to improve a design.
Key learning points
- Prototypes are tested to identify and fix problems in a design.
- Products intended for a wide range of people must be tested by different users.
- Information gathered can be subjective as people will offer their own opinions based on their own beliefs and feelings.
- After user testing, feedback is used to iterate, ensuring the design improves based on testing results.
Keywords
Testing - trying something out to see if it works well
Iteration - process of refining and improving a design
Feedback - comments on a design to help improve or refine it
Subjective - a view based on personal opinion
Common misconception
Iteration is only needed for poor designs.
All designs can benefit from testing, feedback and iteration.
Teacher tip
Explain that iterating a design after feedback is similar to redrafting written work.
Equipment
A range of items to hold and test, tin opener, hole punch, cup, board pen.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Put these stages of product development in order.
Q2.What does UCD stand for?
Q3.Ideate is to generate many ….
Q4.At what stage of product development do we usually create physical models?
Q5.What can be used when prototyping to save time, ensure consistency and improve quality?
Q6.What prototyping technique can be used to add depth to a model?
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.It is important to have a diverse range of testing, with different ages, genders and abilities.
Q2.Match the keyword to the definition.
process of refining and improving a design
trying something out to see if it works well
comments on a design to help improve or refine it
Q3.What does analyse mean?
Q4.Products intended for a wide range of people must be tested by __________ users.
To help you plan your 8 design and technology lesson on: Ergonomic testing and design development, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 8 design and technology lesson on: Ergonomic testing and design development, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 3 design and technology lessons from the Ergonomic design: accessible controllers unit, dive into the full secondary design and technology curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.