Design & Technology
Hello everyone,
Have you ever wondered why schools teach Design Technology (DT)? Be honest, do you even know what DT really is? Well, read on and I will try my best to answer these questions. Every product you have ever bought or used has been designed by someone – whether this is your PlayStation, your lunchbox or even the kettle in your kitchen.
- So, what is DT? This question might be easier to answer than you think! DT is all about planning, making and evaluating a product that has a particular purpose and is for a particular user. If you ever forget just remember the 3 S’s! DT is designing and making Something for Somebody for Some Purpose.
- So why do we teach DT? In the long term, the skills you learn in your DT lessons could equip you to become a future graphic designer, engineer or fashion stylist.
We teach you these skills progressively throughout school all the way from early years up to year 6. You will follow the design, evaluate and make cycle to make it clear what is expected from each unit. Our units will give meaning to what you are making and allow you chances to apply your knowledge to a range of situations!
DT will help you develop a range of key skills which will help you develop and build upon your technical knowledge and your subject vocabulary. The key skills we teach you throughout your time at Rose Hill Primary are:
- textiles and sewing
- cooking and nutrition
- electrical and mechanical components
In the short term, DT addresses all of the Rose Hill 6Rs. DT encourages you to be creative, innovative and resourceful. Resourceful means finding clever ways to overcome difficulties. You will also need to be resilient, persevering when things go wrong. You will need to be a risk-taker when cutting, sawing or using an oven. You will need to be responsible when using equipment and, while working in a team, you will develop your ability to work with others, co-operating, compromising and being respectful. Throughout the design and making process, you will be encouraged to critically evaluate your product, reflecting on what you have done. Is your product suitable for its user? Did your final product meet your original design specifications? Is there anything you could have done to improve your product?
All of these skills are vitally important and will be useful to you, not only in other lessons, but in life. Perhaps most importantly, DT is just good fun.
Miss Woods