Design and Technology

Why learn D&T?

Secondary design and technology builds on the skills and knowledge children have already learnt at primary school. It leverages increasingly sophisticated resources, including dedicated teaching environments, manufacturing equipment and specialist teaching. As students progress through this phase, they may be given the opportunity to focus on specific aspects of the subject such as product design, food technology, engineering, systems and control, electronics, textiles and graphics. However, at its core, is creativity and imagination. Students learn to design and make products that solve genuine, relevant problems within different contexts whilst considering their own and others’ needs, wants and values. To do this effectively, they will acquire a broad range of subject knowledge and draw on additional disciplines such as mathematics, science, engineering, computing and art.

 

Design and technology is a practical and valuable subject. It enables children and young people to actively contribute to the creativity, culture, wealth and well-being of themselves, their community and their nation. It teaches how to take risks and so become more resourceful, innovative, enterprising and capable. Students develop a critical understanding of the impact of design and technology on daily life and the wider world. Additionally, it provides excellent opportunities for students to develop and apply value judgements of an aesthetic, economic, moral, social, and technical nature both in their own designing and when evaluating the work of others.

Text taken from the Design & Technology Association.

A group of British designers speak about the importance of D&T education……

An iMovie of the GCSE pupils of 2014 and their thoughts about the subject…..