Introduction

The teaching of Design and Technology (D&T) prepares pupils to participate in tomorrow's rapidly changing technologies, learning to think creatively. The subject calls for pupils to become problem solvers, both as individuals and in groups - looking for needs, wants and opportunities and responding to them by developing a range of ideas, making products and systems. Practical skills are combined with an understanding of aesthetics, social and environmental issues, function and industrial practices. In the learning process pupils can reflect on and evaluate present and past D&T, its uses and effects.

Through D&T, all pupils can become discriminating and informed users of products, and become innovators.

The Design and Technology Association is the recognised professional organisation representing all those involved in D&T education and its associated subject areas.

With a commitment to inspiring, developing and supporting excellence in design and technology education for all the Association aims to achieve this by:

• developing a curriculum which engages young people in designing and making in order to create quality products and prepare them for citizenship in a technological society
• engaging young people in investigating and evaluating products and their applications and through looking at the associated values
• enhancing the quality of teaching and learning in D&T
• developing positive links with other curriculum areas, especially science, mathematics and art and design
• working with industry and commerce to ensure that the benefits of such experiences permeate the curriculum at all levels
• influencing society around us and bringing increased recognition of those involved in designing and making

The Design and Technology Association is financed through membership fees, support from charitable foundations, industrial sponsorships and income generated through project management, publications, courses, conferences and consultancy.