Design & Technology
Design Technology Aims
- Through design technology, pupils develop creative vision, technical vocabulary and practical skills.
- In design technology, pupils learn to critique, evaluate and test their own ideas and products and the work of others.
- Design Technology gives pupils the opportunity to develop skills, knowledge and understanding of designing and making functional products.
- Design Technology helps children to problem-solve, making on-going changes and improvements during the design and make process.
- Design Technology teaches pupils how to participate successfully in an increasingly technological world.
Why is Design Technology important?
Design Technology helps us to develop as reflective learners, as we work through the design process.
Through design technology, we are able to work collaboratively to solve problems and find solutions, teaching us to deal with uncertainty whilst developing communication, organisational and other practical life skills.
In Design Technology, we learn to appreciate the needs of others, the built environment and the likely impact of future technologies.
Design Technology is taught both discretely (Focused Tasks / Design, Make, Evaluate Assignments) and through thematic units. The overview maps out which thematic units feature this subject. Focused tasks are planned in across each phase.
How is Design Technology taught?
Design Technology is taught through a combination of subject knowledge, skill building and design and make projects. Food technology is also taught through thematic units and our 3D PSHE programme. Learning takes place both inside and outside the classroom.
What do we learn in Design Technology?
We learn about:-
Mechanisms, Sliders, Levers, Structures, Textiles, Food technology, Electronics
We also complete design technology projects in each phase for specified clients e.g. the pirate, the evil genius, allowing pupils the opportunity to both experiment and apply their knowledge and skills.
How do we assess and monitor Design Technology?
Assessment is an ongoing process in the classroom as teachers observe pupils’ oral and written responses. Opportunities for assessment exist in medium term plans and are built into all activities. When a new unit is introduced, the title and supporting materials are displayed to a class. Pupils use their existing knowledge to summarise what they already know about the topic and consider what will be taught. At the end of a unit pupils are encouraged to reflect on their learning against unit knowledge ladders. As a class, a theme review sheet will be completed.
The learning objectives and outcomes within each lesson offer teachers opportunities for checking progress. Consistency of judgment is ensured by using skills ladders and advice by the curriculum coordinators.
 |
 |
 |
We use Kahoot quizzes to assess the retention of core knowledge within each theme. Each and every cross-curricular theme we teach has accompanying subject-specific Kahoot quizzes to assess core knowledge. Children love them as they fun, interactive and competitive! We are able to repeat quizzes throughout the year, giving opportunity for children to recall and revise knowledge from previous themes and even previous year groups. Kahoot provides teachers with detailed reports broken down by child and by question, so that planning can be adapted and opportunities provided to address gaps in knowledge. The Kahoot quiz links are shared on the class website pages and emailed home to parents, providing further opportunity for practice.
We use a system called 'TrackZone' for teachers to make summative assessments against objectives taught within each theme. This provides the curriculum leads with useful information at class and whole-school level, allowing them to monitor patterns and trends and to provide support & challenge.
Parents are informed of curriculum coverage via the school website and the progress achieved by their child in the end of year report.