Modifications and improvements
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain how and why industries modify products for improvement.
Key learning points
- Businesses use several processes to improve and update products, such as implementing new technologies.
- Businesses have several reasons to modify their products, such as customer needs and competition.
Keywords
Modify - to change a product to improve its function or design
Continuous improvement - the ongoing process of making small changes to enhance a product
Market pull - designers develop products in response to user’s needs and wants
Technology push - innovations are developed and then sold to the user
Common misconception
Industries only modify products to make them cheaper.
Industries also improve products for better performance, sustainability, customer satisfaction, safety and compliance with regulations.
Teacher tip
Use real-world product comparisons (e.g. old vs. new phones) to spark discussion on what changed, why and whether the modifications truly improved the product.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is the main purpose of market research?
Q2.Why do companies analyse their products?
Q3.Which of the following is an example of using product analysis to improve a design?
Q4.Which of the following is NOT an example of a design constraint?
Q5.Which of the following is NOT a cost businesses need to consider?
Q6.Match each method of product analysis to its correct description.
Gathering customer opinions and experiences
Examining durability, safety and function
Comparing products from other businesses
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of the following is NOT a common reason for product modification?
Q2.Put the steps of continuous improvement in the correct order:
Q3.Match each product example to whether it was influenced by 'Technology push' or 'Market pull'.
Technology push
Market pull
Technology push
Market pull
Q4.Companies modify products to comply with , ensuring safety and environmental standards.
Q5.Which statement best describes the difference between 'Technology push' and 'Market pull'?
Q6.Which of the following is an example of a modification made for sustainability?
To help you plan your 11 design and technology lesson on: Modifications and improvements, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 design and technology lesson on: Modifications and improvements, 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 4 design and technology lessons from the Designing and Making Principles unit, dive into the full secondary design and technology curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.