Activity Introduction

phone-heroQuick summary: In this activity students are asked to investigate the idea of planned obsolescence and how this relates to what we consume and how much we consume. Students are asked to watch and respond to a short clip from a documentary in their own time, then analyse the planned obsolescence of a product that they or someone in their family recently purchased. Students will then recreate a product according to a more sustainable design model.

Learning goals:

  • Students understand the term ‘planned obsolescence’.
  • Students identify a range of ways that products are designed according to principles of planned obsolescence.
  • Students recognise the role of consumers in the sustainability of products.

General capabilities: Critical and creative thinking, Ethical understanding

Australian Curriculum content description:

Year 7 Economics and Business

  • The ways consumers and producers respond to and influence each other in the market (ACHEK017)

Year 7 & 8 Design and Technologies

  • Examine and prioritise competing factors including social, ethical and sustainability considerations in the development of technologies and designed solutions to meet community needs for preferred futures (ACTDEK029)
  • Investigate the ways in which products, services and environments evolve locally, regionally and globally through the creativity, innovation and enterprise of individuals and groups (ACTDEK029)
  • Generate, develop, test and communicate design ideas, plans and processes for various audiences using appropriate technical terms and technologies including graphical representation techniques (ACTDEP036)

Syllabus Outcomes: T4.1.2, T4.1.3, T4.4.1, T4.6.2, T4.2.1, T4.2.2, T4.5.2, C4.2, C4.3, C4.4.

Topic: Consumption

Time required: 60 mins+

Level of teacher scaffolding: Medium – oversee activity and facilitate discussion

Resources required: Internet access, student worksheet.

Digital technology opportunities: Meme (e.g. imgflip) and infographic creation (DIY infographic guide), digital sharing capabilities.

Homework and extension opportunities: Includes opportunities for homework or extension.

Keywords: Planned obsolescence, upgrading, consumption, consumers, sustainability.

Cool Australia’s curriculum team continually reviews and refines our resources to be in line with changes to the Australian Curriculum.

Worksheets

Teacher Worksheet

nintendo-heroTeacher preparation:

Overarching learning goal: By participating in this activity students will understand the term 'planned obsolescence' and are able to identify a range of ways that products are designed according to principles of planned obsolescence. Students will also recognise the role of consumers in the sustainability of products.

Teacher content information:

Cool Australia Presents Consumption from Cool Australia on Vimeo.

Hot tips: The next time a student, teacher or classroom has a product that breaks, see if you can find how to fix this product on this site: iFixit. Consider working as a class to repair the product.

Student and classroom organisation:

Preparation:

    1. Vocabulary exercise: Ensure that students are familiar with and understand the term ‘planned obsolescence’ - a policy of producing consumer goods that rapidly become obsolete and so require replacing, achieved by frequent changes in design, termination of the supply of spare parts, and the use of
...
 
- or - to view worksheets

Student Worksheet

Thought starter: Did you know that we package some foods to last longer than some electronic devices?

Part 1. What is planned obsolescence?

Watch this Story of Stuff video below from 12.18 - 15.40 and answer the related questions:

The Story of Stuff from Story of Stuff Project on Vimeo.

 

In your own words, describe what is meant by ‘planned obsolescence’:

How do you think ‘planned obsolescence’ and ‘upgrading’ are related?

Part 2. Investigate a product

Working independently, choose a new product that you or someone in your family recently purchased, such as a phone or computer.

Describe this product:

Why did you buy this product?

How long would you like it to last?

How long do you expect it to last?

If this item stopped working, do you think could it be easily repaired? Can the battery be replaced?

Why do you think it would be useful or good to upgrade this product in the future?

Why would someone else think that upgrading is bad for our environment?

Part 3....

 
- or - to view worksheets

Leave your Feedback

We appreciate your feedback. Let us know what you like or don't like about this activity:

Sorry. You must be logged in to view this form.