Curriculum Programme

D&T issues

Six good reasons for going to DATA 2004
Author: David Barlex

What do Osnat Dagan, John Dakers, Wendy Dow, Mike Doyle, Bill Nicholl and Stephen Thompson have in common? They all presented interesting papers at the DATA 2004 Conference.

Osnat DaganIf you are wondering why your students or pupils are not as designerly as you would like then Osnat’s paper (with David Mioduser) on design methodologies might be just what you are looking for.

If you enjoy thinking about tricky issues in design & technology education such a the relationship between making and creativity or the place of making in the curriculum then the papers by John Dakers will provide fuel for many arguments.

If you are concerned abut your student’s or pupil’s creativity then Wendy Dow’s piece on the role of implicit theories in the development of creative classroom will give you much food for thought.

Ever heard of ‘Technoicity’? Read what Mike Doyle has to say. He turns conventional wisdom on its head. The ability to design and make is responsible for our ability with language NOT the other way round.

Bill Nichol takes the bull by the horns and produces an article on teaching and learning creativity. What was so impressive about Bill’s presentation was that it was based on his own classroom practice and included lots of examples of pupil work.

And finally the star of the show, Stephen Thompson introduced the conference to consciousness studies. How will the new technologies and all the pervasive products and services they give rise to effect the way we conceive of ourselves? Heavy stuff but a fascinating insight into the future; you can find out more at the link above.

If you want to know more about the work of these influential researchers contact Nina Towndrow at the Curriculum Centre and she will put you in touch. Six good reasons for going to DATA 2004.

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