Design Technology
Encyclopedia
Design and Technology is a school subject offered at all levels of primary and secondary school. In some countries such as England it is a part of the National Curriculum
. It is offered in many countries around the world such as Brunei
, Bermuda
, Singapore
, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Jordan and Botswana
. Many international schools have courses in Design and Technology. As a school subject it involves students in designing in a practical context with a focus on, for example, food, textiles, resistant materials or digital media. It is also a university course in many countries,including Australia, Canada, America, Singapore, South Africa, Netherlands and New Zealand, both for the preparation of teachers and for general education in areas such as industrial design
. Some of the UK universities which deliver courses include: Brighton
, Sheffield Hallam
, London (Goldsmiths) and Greenwich . Support for the subject is available at www.naaidt.org.uk and www.data.org.uk. National curriculum projects for pupils ages 4 years old to 15 years old can be seen at the above and www.ncaction.org.uk.
Excellent Design Technology websites for both Teachers and Students:
http://www.technologystudent.com and http://www.dtonline.org
A good site for Design Technology is Design Tech Wiki by Cairo American College
and http://www.design-technology.info
A large resource of material covering most strands of the subject and with many task ideas. Suitable for teachers and students
http://www.mr-d-n-t.co.uk
In 2009 new course specifications will be used.
----
level, the two year course requires all students to produce one piece of coursework
. This coursework must consist of a product that the student has manufactured in the workshop plus a folder including research and analysis about the problem being solved. It should also include a specification based on the research and analysis which should in turn inform the sketched or modelled ideas. As these ideas are developed into workable solutions the students are required to evaluate them as they evolve. As well as a detailed plan of the making process to be undertaken in manufacturing a prototype product the product must take into account the various industrial practices necessary if the product were to be mass produced commercially. On completion the course teacher awards marks for finish of the final product, creativity, complexity, and how well the project itself was made. 40% of the final mark is given for the coursework and 60% for an examination of general knowledge in the subject (AQA). Of the 40% coursework 20% is based on the making and 20% design work. There is a similar split within the 40% examination where 40% is based on making and 60% is based on designing.
technology to aesthetic product design. Students have to use all types of computer software including computer-aided design
and manufacture
, spreadsheet
s and presentations. Outputs from such work are often sent to CNC machines for manufacture.
as a compulsory subject for grades 6–10, and at the Diploma Programme
level (grades 11-12). IB Design Technology is very similar in content to Design Technology, which is widely offered in the national curricula of England
, Australia
, Canada
, New Zealand
and many African nations. It is one of the Group 4 sciences
.
The primary focus of MYP Technology is to give students an understanding of the design cycle, through a practical programme. The student will complete projects based on solving a real and authentic problem. Students document their progress as they follow the design cycle to come to a feasible solution. They create the solution and then evaluate it following thorough testing.
The Diploma Programme of Design Technology is a two-year introduction to designing, a range of fundamentals of technology, and global technological issues. It provides students with the knowledge to be able to design and make in school workshops, and also to develop an informed literacy about technology in general. Because it is an international curriculum it has a particular focus on global environmental issues. It covers core topics in design, materials, product development and innovation, energy, structures, mechanisms and sustainability. Students can then specialize in one of textiles, electronic products, food, computer aided design or human factors. The diploma is accepted for university entrance in many countries, and is a good preparation for careers in areas such as engineering, architecture, design and education.
Standard Subject in Technical
Specialist Subjects within Technical
learning strands to enable students to participate fully in the technological society and
economy in which they will live and work. This curriculum seeks to enable and empower
students with the know-how they will need to make informed choices about technology,
and to be the technological innovators of the future.
It runs from year 1 to year 13. http://www.minedu.govt.nz/web/downloadable/dl3614_v1/tech-nzc.pdf
Strand A: Technological Knowledge and Understanding
1 understanding the use and operation of technologies;
2 understanding technological principles and systems;
3 understanding the nature of technological practice;
4 understanding strategies for the communication, promotion, and evaluation of
technological ideas and outcomes.
Strand B: Technological Capability
5 identifying needs and opportunities;
6 with reference to identified needs and opportunities:
a: generating, selecting, developing, and adapting appropriate solutions;
b: managing time, and human and physical resources, to produce technological
outcomes—products, systems, and environments;
c: presenting and promoting ideas, strategies, and outcomes;
d: evaluating designs, strategies, and outcomes.
Strand C: Technology and Society
7 understanding the ways the beliefs, values, and ethics of individuals and groups:
- promote or constrain technological development;
- influence attitudes towards technological development;
8 understanding the impacts of technology on society and the environment:
- in the past, present, and possible future;
- in local, national, and international settings.
National Curriculum
The National Curriculum was introduced into England, Wales and Northern Ireland as a nationwide curriculum for primary and secondary state schools following the Education Reform Act 1988. Notwithstanding its name, it does not apply to independent schools, which may set their own curricula, but it...
. It is offered in many countries around the world such as Brunei
Brunei
Brunei , officially the State of Brunei Darussalam or the Nation of Brunei, the Abode of Peace , is a sovereign state located on the north coast of the island of Borneo, in Southeast Asia...
, Bermuda
Bermuda
Bermuda is a British overseas territory in the North Atlantic Ocean. Located off the east coast of the United States, its nearest landmass is Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, about to the west-northwest. It is about south of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, and northeast of Miami, Florida...
, Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Jordan and Botswana
Botswana
Botswana, officially the Republic of Botswana , is a landlocked country located in Southern Africa. The citizens are referred to as "Batswana" . Formerly the British protectorate of Bechuanaland, Botswana adopted its new name after becoming independent within the Commonwealth on 30 September 1966...
. Many international schools have courses in Design and Technology. As a school subject it involves students in designing in a practical context with a focus on, for example, food, textiles, resistant materials or digital media. It is also a university course in many countries,including Australia, Canada, America, Singapore, South Africa, Netherlands and New Zealand, both for the preparation of teachers and for general education in areas such as industrial design
Industrial design
Industrial design is the use of a combination of applied art and applied science to improve the aesthetics, ergonomics, and usability of a product, but it may also be used to improve the product's marketability and production...
. Some of the UK universities which deliver courses include: Brighton
University of Brighton
The University of Brighton is an English university of the United Kingdom, with a community of over 23,000 students and 2,600 staff based on campuses in Brighton, Eastbourne and Hastings. It has one of the best teaching quality ratings in the UK and a strong research record, factors which...
, Sheffield Hallam
Sheffield Hallam University
Sheffield Hallam University is a higher education institution in South Yorkshire, England, based on two sites in Sheffield. City Campus is located in the city centre, close to Sheffield railway station, and Collegiate Crescent Campus is about two miles away, adjacent to Ecclesall Road in...
, London (Goldsmiths) and Greenwich . Support for the subject is available at www.naaidt.org.uk and www.data.org.uk. National curriculum projects for pupils ages 4 years old to 15 years old can be seen at the above and www.ncaction.org.uk.
Excellent Design Technology websites for both Teachers and Students:
http://www.technologystudent.com and http://www.dtonline.org
A good site for Design Technology is Design Tech Wiki by Cairo American College
Cairo American College
Cairo American College is a K-12 American/International school located in Cairo, Egypt which aims to affirm the voice, passions, and talents of students and inspire them to use their hearts and minds as global citizens. CAC should not be confused with the or The school is located in Maadi, and...
and http://www.design-technology.info
A large resource of material covering most strands of the subject and with many task ideas. Suitable for teachers and students
http://www.mr-d-n-t.co.uk
The subjects
Since 2001, the British government have split Technology into different areas which include:- Textiles Technology
- Food Technology
- Graphic Products
- Resistant Materials Technology
- Product design
- Wood Technology
In 2009 new course specifications will be used.
----
GCSE
At GCSEGeneral Certificate of Secondary Education
The General Certificate of Secondary Education is an academic qualification awarded in a specified subject, generally taken in a number of subjects by students aged 14–16 in secondary education in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and is equivalent to a Level 2 and Level 1 in Key Skills...
level, the two year course requires all students to produce one piece of coursework
Coursework
Coursework is the name for work carried out by students at university or middle/high school that contributes towards their overall grade, but which is assessed separately from their final exams. Coursework can, for example, take the form of experimental work, or may involve research in the...
. This coursework must consist of a product that the student has manufactured in the workshop plus a folder including research and analysis about the problem being solved. It should also include a specification based on the research and analysis which should in turn inform the sketched or modelled ideas. As these ideas are developed into workable solutions the students are required to evaluate them as they evolve. As well as a detailed plan of the making process to be undertaken in manufacturing a prototype product the product must take into account the various industrial practices necessary if the product were to be mass produced commercially. On completion the course teacher awards marks for finish of the final product, creativity, complexity, and how well the project itself was made. 40% of the final mark is given for the coursework and 60% for an examination of general knowledge in the subject (AQA). Of the 40% coursework 20% is based on the making and 20% design work. There is a similar split within the 40% examination where 40% is based on making and 60% is based on designing.
- Manufacturing GCSE
- GCSE Systems and ControlSystems and ControlGCSE Systems and control is a General Certificate of Secondary Education run by the AQA in the United Kingdom.-Specification:...
A level
A and AS level examinations are rigorous and demanding. The subject is a Human Science and as such many universities like the examination because it prepares students for individualised learning and problem solving, which is essential in business and industry. Time management is a key factor to candidates success within the coursework elements of the qualification. The examinations are as rigorous as any other subject. Indeed, due to the complexity and variety of tasks and organisation skills required this examination and course is very demanding. The subject covers activities from controlControl engineering
Control engineering or Control systems engineering is the engineering discipline that applies control theory to design systems with predictable behaviors...
technology to aesthetic product design. Students have to use all types of computer software including computer-aided design
Computer-aided design
Computer-aided design , also known as computer-aided design and drafting , is the use of computer technology for the process of design and design-documentation. Computer Aided Drafting describes the process of drafting with a computer...
and manufacture
Computer-aided manufacturing
Computer-aided manufacturing is the use of computer software to control machine tools and related machinery in the manufacturing of workpieces. This is not the only definition for CAM, but it is the most common; CAM may also refer to the use of a computer to assist in all operations of a...
, spreadsheet
Spreadsheet
A spreadsheet is a computer application that simulates a paper accounting worksheet. It displays multiple cells usually in a two-dimensional matrix or grid consisting of rows and columns. Each cell contains alphanumeric text, numeric values or formulas...
s and presentations. Outputs from such work are often sent to CNC machines for manufacture.
International Baccalaureate Design Technology
IB Design Technology (DT) is an elective subject offered in many IB schools globally. Technology is also offered in the IB Middle Years ProgrammeIB Middle Years Programme
The International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme is an educational programme intended for students aged approximately 11 to 16 . Thus, in the United States the programme is often taught throughout the middle school years and the first two years of high school...
as a compulsory subject for grades 6–10, and at the Diploma Programme
IB Diploma Programme
The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme is a two-year educational programme for students aged 16–19that provides an internationally accepted qualification for entry into higher education, and is recognised by universities worldwide. It was developed in the early to mid-1960s in Geneva by...
level (grades 11-12). IB Design Technology is very similar in content to Design Technology, which is widely offered in the national curricula of England
Education in England
Education in England is overseen by the Department for Education and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. Local authorities take responsibility for implementing policy for public education and state schools at a regional level....
, Australia
Education in Australia
Education in Australia is primarily the responsibility of the states and territories. Each state or territory government provides funding and regulates the public and private schools within its governing area. The federal government helps fund the public universities, but is not involved in setting...
, Canada
Education in Canada
Education in Canada is for the most part provided publicly, funded and overseen by federal, provincial, and local governments. Education is within provincial jurisdiction and the curriculum is overseen by the province. Education in Canada is generally divided into primary education, followed by...
, New Zealand
Education in New Zealand
Education in New Zealand follows the three-tier model which includes primary schools, followed by secondary schools and tertiary education at universities and/or polytechs....
and many African nations. It is one of the Group 4 sciences
IB Group 4 subjects
The Group 4 subjects of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme comprise the main scientific emphasis of this internationally recognized high school programme. They consist of five courses, four of which are offered at both the Standard Level and Higher Level : Chemistry, Biology,...
.
The primary focus of MYP Technology is to give students an understanding of the design cycle, through a practical programme. The student will complete projects based on solving a real and authentic problem. Students document their progress as they follow the design cycle to come to a feasible solution. They create the solution and then evaluate it following thorough testing.
The Diploma Programme of Design Technology is a two-year introduction to designing, a range of fundamentals of technology, and global technological issues. It provides students with the knowledge to be able to design and make in school workshops, and also to develop an informed literacy about technology in general. Because it is an international curriculum it has a particular focus on global environmental issues. It covers core topics in design, materials, product development and innovation, energy, structures, mechanisms and sustainability. Students can then specialize in one of textiles, electronic products, food, computer aided design or human factors. The diploma is accepted for university entrance in many countries, and is a good preparation for careers in areas such as engineering, architecture, design and education.
Technological Education, Scotland
Technological education is part of the Scottish secondary school curriculum. Technological education is segregated into various subjects available at Standard Grade, Intermediate, Higher and Advanced Higher Level:Standard Subject in Technical
- Graphic Communication
- Craft and Design
- Technological Studies
- Product Design
- Practical Craft Skills (Woodwork)
- Practical Craft Skills (Metalwork)
Specialist Subjects within Technical
- Architectural Technology
- Automotive Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Building services
- Construction
- Electrical Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Mechatronics
Technological Education, New Zealand
The technology curriculum aims to develop technological literacy through three integratedlearning strands to enable students to participate fully in the technological society and
economy in which they will live and work. This curriculum seeks to enable and empower
students with the know-how they will need to make informed choices about technology,
and to be the technological innovators of the future.
It runs from year 1 to year 13. http://www.minedu.govt.nz/web/downloadable/dl3614_v1/tech-nzc.pdf
Strand A: Technological Knowledge and Understanding
1 understanding the use and operation of technologies;
2 understanding technological principles and systems;
3 understanding the nature of technological practice;
4 understanding strategies for the communication, promotion, and evaluation of
technological ideas and outcomes.
Strand B: Technological Capability
5 identifying needs and opportunities;
6 with reference to identified needs and opportunities:
a: generating, selecting, developing, and adapting appropriate solutions;
b: managing time, and human and physical resources, to produce technological
outcomes—products, systems, and environments;
c: presenting and promoting ideas, strategies, and outcomes;
d: evaluating designs, strategies, and outcomes.
Strand C: Technology and Society
7 understanding the ways the beliefs, values, and ethics of individuals and groups:
- promote or constrain technological development;
- influence attitudes towards technological development;
8 understanding the impacts of technology on society and the environment:
- in the past, present, and possible future;
- in local, national, and international settings.