Secondary D&T Overview

Design and technology is about providing opportunities for students to develop their capability, combining their designing and making skills with knowledge and understanding in order to create quality products. The Association places emphasis on ‘quality’ products as there is great benefit in students experiencing success and seeing and handling products that are well made. The preparation of young people for citizenship in a technological society is also a central activity within the subject.

Core activities in D&T

• investigative, disassembly and evaluative activities related to products and their applications

• focused practical tasks to develop skills and the fields of knowledge

• understanding materials and components

• control and systems, including mechanical, electrical, electronic and pneumatic structures

• achieving quality

• health and safety.

Knowledge and understanding is taught specifically within D&T, but it also draws on other curriculum areas such as science, mathematics, art and design, business education, information technology, environmental education and economic and industrial understanding.  D&T will also contribute to these subjects and some other curriculum areas.

Design and technology provides excellent opportunities for students to apply value judgements of an aesthetic, economic, moral, social, and technical nature in their designing and to existing products and their applications. It also provides excellent opportunities for teamwork

Students use a range of communication skills, including verbal, graphical and modelling skills, to help their thinking and ability to take action in the process of designing.

Beyond the Classroom

The subject has a crucial role in developing industrial partnerships where work in school can have a realistic focus by active involvement of industry in project work or by illustrating industrial processes or techniques. D&T should provide opportunities for students to engage in challenging, relevant and motivating activities. Enjoyment, satisfaction and a sense of purpose, helps students feel they have constructive role in a technological society. Any such activity should be a learning experience whereby the students' repertoire of knowledge, skills and understanding is extended and applied in increasingly more diverse and sophisticated ways.

 D&T Association Membership

Secondary membership focuses on providing project ideas, high quality case studies and regular news and information updates. Whatever your material specialism, the publications, website and professional development events will meet your requirements.