D&T issues

D&T Secondary Review Part 1
Author: David Barlex

www.qca.org.uk

The proposed revisions from QCA are now available for all to see at the above url

http://www.qca.org.uk/secondarycurriculumreview/subject/ks3/design-technology/index.htm

It's important that the document is discussed by as many teachers as possible and that their views get to QCA. But where and do you start? Here's a suggested approach. First look at the importance statement. Break it down into a set of numbered statements and consider each one in turn. Ask yourself is this important? What is it trying to say? Could it be said better or more elegantly? Then start putting the statements into groups that deal with similar issues. Ask yourself does each grouping make sense for teaching d&t. Finally review the importance statement in its entirety and ask yourself is this an appropriate vision for d&t in the 21st century.

You can do this solo but its more interesting and informative to do it as a group with colleagues from your department or faculty.


Having done this you can let QCA know what you think about the importance statement.

The next step is to consider the key concepts.

The idea of having a set of key concepts that are unique to d&t and underpin our subject is good.

But ask yourself do these statements describe concepts?

If not how could you rewrite them so they are concepts?

Work out an improved version with colleagues and send it to QCA.

Nuffield Design & Technology would be delighted to publish your views as news items in the coming weeks so do tell us about your response to QCA.

What about the Key processes, Range and content and Curriculum opportunities statements? That's for further instalments in Curriculum Issues!

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