Design & Technology
Design and Technology Aims
- Design Technology gives pupils the opportunity to develop skills, knowledge and understanding of designing and making functional products.
- Through design technology, pupils develop creative vision, technical vocabulary and practical skills.
- In design technology, pupils learn to critique, evaluate and test their own ideas and products and the work of others.
- Design Technology develops pupils’ understanding of products and their intended users.
Why is Design Technology important?
Design Technology helps us to develop as reflective learners, as we work through the design process.
Through design technology, we are able to work collaboratively to solve problems and find solutions, teaching us to deal with uncertainty whilst developing communication, organisational and other practical life skills.
In design technology, we learn to appreciate the needs of others, the built environment and the likely impact of future technologies.
When is Design Technology taught?
Design Technology is taught both discretely (Focused Tasks / Design, Make, Evaluate Assignments) and through thematic units. The overview maps out which thematic units feature this subject. Focused tasks are planned in across each phase.
How is Design Technology taught?
Design Technology is taught through a combination of subject knowledge, skill building and design and make projects. Food technology is also taught through thematic units and our 3D PSHE programme. Learning takes place both inside and outside the classroom.
What do we learn in Design Technology?
We learn about:-
Mechanisms, Sliders, Levers, Structures, Textiles, Food technology, Electronics
We also complete design technology projects in each phase for specified clients e.g. the pirate, the evil genius, allowing pupils the opportunity to both experiment and apply their knowledge and skills.
How do we assess and monitor design technology?
Assessment is an ongoing process in the classroom as teachers observe pupils’ oral and written responses. Opportunities for assessment exist in medium term plans and are built into all activities. When a new unit is introduced the title and supporting materials are displayed to a class. Pupils use their existing knowledge to summarise what they already know about the topic and consider what will be taught. At the end of a unit pupils are encouraged to reflect on their learning against unit knowledge ladders. As a class a theme review sheet will be completed.
The learning objectives and outcomes within each lesson offer teachers opportunities for checking progress. Consistency of judgment is ensured by using skills ladders and advice by the coordinator. The main method of assessing children’s knowledge, skills and understanding is through the use of Assessment for Learning. Parents are informed of curriculum coverage in a curriculum newsletter sent out each term and the progress achieved by their child in the end of year report.
