Electronics (ELEC)

• Learning in electronics
• Progression
• Key concepts
• Possible achievement/learning objectives

Learning in electronics

Learning in electronics involves creating products such as robots, GPS trackers and remote monitoring and control systems. Electronic products are continuously extending human abilities through the development of smaller and more efficient handheld digital devices, smarter vehicles, and mobility aids.

Students will learn the practical skills of reading and interpreting circuit diagrams, knowledgeable use of electronic components and the design of printed circuit boards using computer aided design tools. They will develop problem solving and critical thinking skills through designing and writing software for embedded microcontrollers for their projects such as an automated drinking fountain or a remote controlled lawnmower.

New Zealand needs young people who can compete in the technology race that is driving the global economy, and who have the ability to become leaders in electronics design and construction.

Electronic devices are the building blocks of our information age making what may seem impossible one day feasible the next. Almost every aspect of our lives is informed and managed by microcontrollers, such as those found inside portable electronic games, wrist watches, heart rate monitors, automated vacuum cleaners and eco-light bulbs. New electronic devices can make interfaces more suitable for humans, for example, touch screens and interactive games with touch screens and body movement recognition that make new kinds of human-computer interaction possible.

The study of electronics allows students to develop practical and creative skills and conceptual understandings that they can carry into any career in the future.

Progression

As students progress from level 6 to level 8 they will increase the breadth of their knowledge of electronic components as the prototypes they develop become increasingly complex.

They will advance from standalone microcontroller circuits with a few LED and switch interfaces to include keypads, motors and associated power circuits and then on through to sophisticated components such as graphics LCDs, temperature sensors and accelerometers or radio transmitters and receivers. More sophisticated circuits will demonstrate their understandings of the connectedness of their devices through various mediums including radio (GPS, Zigbee) and wired interfaces such as RS232, USB or internet.

Each progressive prototype they develop will require students to:

• deepen their understandings of how to relate circuit diagrams to physical layouts
• produce increasingly sophisticated CAD designs for printed circuit boards
• fault find more detailed circuits
• plan, write and debug longer and more complex programs.

Student learning progression:

• Being able to use common tools for creating digital media to meet specifications (level 6).
• Working within industry guidelines and best practice (level 7).
• Integrating multiple forms of media in a sustainable structure to produce the most suitable content for the audience (level 8).

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Key concepts

Key concepts are the ideas and understandings that the teacher hopes will remain with students long after they have left school.

The key concepts in electronics are:

• knowledge of components
• practical skills in construction and fault finding
• programming and debugging, systems knowledge and the ability to bring this knowledge together when developing electronic prototypes.

Possible achievement/learning objectives

These objectives are indicative only. You might also choose other technology learning objectives.

Level 6 objectives

Select from the following achievement and learning objectives for indicators, context elaborations, and assessment for qualifications guidance information.

• ELEC 6-1: Knowledge of basic concepts in electronics
• ELEC 6-2: Implement basic interfacing procedures in electronics
• ELEC 6-3: Implement basic techniques in constructing an electronic and embedded system
• ELEC 6-4: Design and analyse systems to solve problems using electronic and software elements
• TECH 6-1: Planning for practice
• TECH 6-2: Brief development
• TECH 6-3: Outcome development and evaluation
• TECH 6-4: Technological modelling
• TECH 6-5: Technological products
• TECH 6-6: Technological systems
• TECH 6-7: Characteristics of technology
• TECH 6-8: Characteristics of technological outcomes

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Last updated April 12, 2012

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