Design and Technology (Product Design)

Course summary

Design and Technology is fundamental to how we live our lives. It is a practical activity supported by academic knowledge, creative drive and manual skill to make an impact on the wider world and meet human needs. Students learn to use current technologies and consider the impact of future technological developments. They learn to think creatively and intervene to improve the quality of life, solving problems as individuals and members of a team. Students respond with ideas, products and systems, challenging expectations where appropriate. They combine practical and intellectual skills with an understanding of aesthetic, technical, cultural, health, social, emotional, economic, industrial and environmental issues. Through design and technology students develop confidence in using practical skills, to manage their time and become discriminating users of products. They apply their creative thinking and learn to innovate through using skills that are transferable to many other contexts. KEY STAGE 5 DESIGN & TECHNOLOGY Students who enjoy Design Technology can stay on in the Sixth Form to study A Level Product Design The aims of Design and Technology is to encourage students to: make use of tacit knowledge and reflective practices in order to work with tasks that are challenging and often require definition to develop and sustain their creativity and innovative practice recognise and overcome challenges and constraints when working towards the production of high quality products develop a critical understanding of the influences of the processes and products of design and technological activities and from a contemporary and historical perspective draw on a range of skills and knowledge from other subject areas draw on and apply knowledge, understanding and skills of production processes to a range of design and technology activities develop an understanding of contemporary design and technology practices use digital technologies and information handling skills to enhance their design and technological capability. Students have to demonstrate the application and understanding of: - materials and component - industrial and commercial practice - quality - health and safety - systems and control - products/outcomes and application - Students are asked to complete portfolios which demonstrate skills in: - communication of ideas and information - evaluation of products - designing - planning - making