Unit rationale, description and aim
All students benefit from being able to solve problems through systems, design, and computational thinking and being able to design and use the electromechanical technologies that shape our world.
To align their work to the Australian Curriculum: Design and Technologies, and to function as secondary teaching professionals in the Technologies discipline, students must undertake a sequence of technologies units to acquire conceptual, procedural and professional levels of discipline specific technologies subject content knowledge and skills in electromechanical and engineering technologies. This unit provides an opportunity for students to attain and apply knowledge and skills in science, mathematics, electronics, and programming to the design, manufacture, programming, and testing of electromechanical technologies.
Students will develop knowledge of how past, present, and emerging electromechanical technologies influence principles and processes of control systems design and production through examples and case-studies. Students will consider the implications modern manufacture technologies and Industry 4.0 on society and how this relates to preferred futures. Students will develop knowledge of the design and manufacture of electromechanical systems including electronics and principles of mechanical engineering and demonstrate appropriate safe use of electronics in design. Practical skills will be developed through the design and manufacture of electronically controlled products using a range of techniques and industrial materials including CAD/ CAM technologies.
The aim of this unit is for students to be introduced to and then explore electromechanical design and manufacture and consider how they can be applied in design contexts and their teaching practice.
Learning outcomes
To successfully complete this unit you will be able to demonstrate you have achieved the learning outcomes (LO) detailed in the below table.
Each outcome is informed by a number of graduate capabilities (GC) to ensure your work in this, and every unit, is part of a larger goal of graduating from ACU with the attributes of insight, empathy, imagination and impact.
Explore the graduate capabilities.
Define the principles of electronics, mechanics, a...
Learning Outcome 01
Interpret, illustrate, and synthesise logic diagra...
Learning Outcome 02
Select and use a range of materials, tools, and eq...
Learning Outcome 03
Apply cognitive skills to critically evaluate comp...
Learning Outcome 04
Communicate advanced engineering knowledge and tec...
Learning Outcome 05
Content
Topics will include:
Basic Electronics
- Atomic structure
- Electronic materials
- Voltage, current, and resistance and relevant laws (Ohm’s, power)
Electronic Systems and Fundamentals
- Electronic components
- Control electronics
- Circuit design
Digital Fundamentals
- Binary number systems
- Logic elements, Boolean algebra, analysis and design of logic circuits and truth tables
Logic Controllers
- Control systems fundamentals
- Control logic, e.g. if-then statements, for conditions, etc.
- Task-level programming
- Debugging/ troubleshooting
- Consumer microcontrollers, such as Arduino, and industrial PLCs
Mechanics
- Forces and moments
- Free body diagrams
- Motion
- Engineering-related mathematics: geometry, trigonometry, and vectors
- Levers, gears, cams
Mechanism Design
- Fundamental mechanisms
- Synthesising mechanism
Sensors and Actuators
- Analogue vs digital signals
- Common sensors and actuators and their industrial applications
Electromechanical Product Design
- Plan and manage a project
- Evaluate design solution against the developed criteria
- Using CAD/ CAM software for design and manufacture
- CNC manufacture (subtractive and additive), e.g. CNC or manual routers, laser cutting, 3D printing
- ePortfolio development
Industrial Context of Electromechanical Technologies
- Mechanisation and Automation
- Modern manufacture technologies and robotics
- Industry 4.0
- Societal implications of robotics and Industry 4.0
Technologies Workshop Safety
- Hand tools, machinery and equipment used for manufacturing electronics including safe operating procedures for power supplies including the use of a multimeter
- Management practices for technology teachers including safety and risk management, budgeting, selecting, storing, maintaining and replacing materials, equipment and other resources related to Electromechanical technologies.
Assessment strategy and rationale
The problem-based learning strategy employed in this unit is supported by the integration of progressive authentic assessment tasks completed at critical points in the students’ learning. Theoretical and conceptual knowledge and practical skills-based knowledge are developed simultaneously in that acquisition and assimilation of knowledge develops as students undertake project-based learning and complete self-guided design projects. Initially, students acquire knowledge in electromechanical design by undertaking tutorial exercises and developing a research-based report on key concepts introduced in the lectures. They develop skills in design and manufacture through practical workshop classes, which may be conducted through multi-mode delivery, i.e. in-person where applicable, remotely if facilities are available, or via on-campus intensives. Practical workshops provide opportunities for formative assessment which supports assimilation of knowledge. In this unit the method aims to assess students’ achievement of a synthesis between design theory, practice, and application of mathematical principles in electromechanical design. Therefore, a key assessment method used is project-based learning through self-guided major design projects which includes multiple components, namely a design documentation ePortfolio and a designed and manufactured product(s). ePortfolios document students’ design processes and include evidence of project definition, research, ideation, prototyping, iteration, critical evaluation, and risk assessment. The summative program planning assessment aims to assess students’ application of knowledge and skills (conceptual, procedural, and professional) and competencies holistically using an integrated approach common in design education which focusses on the assessment of an entire design activity rather than specific elements in isolation. Building upon the earlier assessments undertaken by students, to provide them with applicable teaching strategies upon completion of this unit, acquired technical skills are combined with pedagogical practice. This allows students to effectively establish sound teaching practices through mirroring their role in this unit with that of their future students, while also researching and analysing Australian teaching standards for Design and Technology and STEM.
A range of assessment procedures will be used to meet the unit objectives consistent with University assessment requirements. Such procedures may include research reports, a design project with an ePortfolio, and learning-program design. Assessment tasks will address all learning outcomes as well as relevant graduate attributes.
Overview of assessments
Hurdle Task: a. OnGuard WHS online safety traini...
Hurdle Task:
a. OnGuard WHS online safety training and testing modules (or equivalent) Requires student to demonstrate knowledge of safe operating procedures in design and technologies workshop environments
b. Technology Workspace Supervision Agreement Requires student to arrange for access to and supervision in a school-based design and technologies workshop (or equivalent) with an appropriately qualified mentor and approval from the head teacher in design and technologies and their principal.
Pass/Fail
Assessment Task 1 – Research Assignment Research...
Assessment Task 1 – Research Assignment
Research to explore theoretical concepts, involving critical application of electronics knowledge and judgements based on relevant theory to one or multiple case studies.
20%
Assessment Task 2 – Electromechanical Design Proj...
Assessment Task 2 – Electromechanical Design Project
An electromechanical design project for a system applying the concepts of mechanisation and automation to solve a complex challenge, documented via engineering drawings and an ePortfolio.
50%
Assessment Task 3 – Planning an Electronics Unit ...
Assessment Task 3 – Planning an Electronics Unit of Work
High-level design of a teaching program developed with colleagues and based on an analysis of a Stage 5 Electronics curriculum and the research and project-based learning of the previous two assessment tasks,
This serves to draw on peer reflection and professional collaboration to improve learning and teaching to guide this task, improve learning outcomes, and foster a culture of professional- and community-based networking to improve teaching and learning.
30%
Learning and teaching strategy and rationale
A student-focused, problem-based learning approach is used in this unit. Students encounter concepts and principles of electromechanical systems design theory through interactive lectures, concepts are discussed and broadened through analysis of specific case studies and further informed by independent research during the development of design projects. In practical workshops, students design, manufacture and evaluate electronic and mechanical components. Issues in electromechanical systems design and manufacture are introduced through a practice-oriented learning method. This method involves the parallel development of procedural and conceptual skills required for design, development, and documentation of electromechanical systems. Students develop solutions to electromechanical system design problems using a design thinking methodology and a user-centred design approach. They develop conceptual knowledge in electronics and programming in addition to procedural knowledge of mechanical engineering and manufacturing technologies through practical design projects. Students design, manufacture, communicate and evaluate items against principles of electromechanical system design. These methods enable the development of conceptual, procedural and professional knowledge and skill which allows students to practice design thinking and problem-solving in electromechanical technologies design contexts and to develop effective teaching strategies to develop knowledge, skills, problem-solving, and critical and creative thinking practice design thinking and problem-solving in design technologies contexts.
This is a 10-credit point unit and has been designed to ensure that the time needed to complete the required volume of learning to the requisite standard is approximately 150 hours in total across the semester. To achieve a passing standard in this unit, students will find it helpful to engage in the full range of learning activities and assessments utilised in this unit, as described in the learning and teaching strategy and the assessment strategy. The learning and teaching and assessment strategies include a range of approaches to support your learning such as reading, discussion, video, independent research, design project management, lab reports, workshop logs, report writing, design projects, including design folios etc.
The unit is hosted on a Learning Management System (LMS) site with resources and online links, announcements, and a discussion board to post questions and reflections that promote connection between content and educational experiences.
Australian Professional Standards for Teachers - Graduate Level
In connection to the learning outcomes, on successful completion of this unit, pre-service teachers should have developed the following industry specific knowledge based on the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers - Graduate Level standards:
Relating toDemonstrate knowledge and understanding of the concepts, substance and structure of the content and teaching strategies of the teaching area.
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5
Relating toOrganise content into an effective learning and teaching sequence.
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO5
Relating toUse curriculum, assessment and reporting knowledge to design learning sequences and lesson plans.
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO5
Relating toImplement teaching strategies for using ICT to expand curriculum learning opportunities for students.
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO2, LO5
Relating toDescribe strategies that support students’ wellbeing and safety working within school and/or system, curriculum and legislative requirements.
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO3, LO4, LO5