AOI+Human+Ingenuity

Human ingenuity (formerly homo faber) deals with the way in which human minds have influenced the world, for example, the way we are, think, interact with each other, create, find solutions to and cause problems, transform ideas and rationalize thought. It also considers the consequences of human thought and action.


 * Why and how do we create? **
 * What are the consequences? **

Human ingenuity is the way in which human minds have influenced how we think, work, play, construct and conduct friendships and other relationships, interact with each other, find solutions to problems, cause problems, transform things and rationalize thought. It also considers the consequences of human thought and action. Human history is full of examples of humans as thinkers, inventors and creators from all subject areas. Human ingenuity goes beyond looking solely at individuals, and looks at human contributions both in context and as part of an ongoing process, seeing them as logical, clever and reasoning, as well as illogical, fallible and devious.
 * About this area**

The area of interaction, human ingenuity, is much more than the presentation of a product or concept as an example of human achievement; it can lead to a reasoned judgment of scientific, ethical, aesthetic and technological transformations and an appreciation of their consequences. This may result in the celebration of this achievement or the recognition of negative consequences—in many cases, it will lead to both. It should prompt the creative and innovative involvement of the whole school community in presenting a holistic view of human activity, both in the past and in the present. In all subjects, students will encounter examples of the constructive and destructive activities of human beings. This does not necessitate additional subject content, but it does require a process of thorough reflection.

This area of interaction is open-ended and provides opportunities for discussion and further inquiry beyond individual subject borders. It may raise ethical issues such as progress, how development in one culture may be inappropriate to another and the responsibility we need to take for our own progress. Human ingenuity encourages students to see the relationships between diverse subjects, as it can be used to inquire into a broad range of human activities. These include: • systems—laws, methods of government, transport, education, healthcare • communication—statistics, language, mathematical formulae, codes • technology—buildings, machinery, tools • thought—principles, concepts, ideas, opinions, attitudes • art—painting, sculpture, embroidery, theatre, music • culture—fashion, rituals and customs, food.