The secondary curriculum review
Design and technology contributes to pupils becoming successful learners by developing enquiring minds, where pupils are encouraged to try out alternatives and fresh approaches as they engage in design and make assignments. These assignments provide broad opportunities to apply what they know in practical activities. This generates skills that are important to learning in all subjects and motivates them to use learning from other subjects.
As they generate design ideas, they analyse and reflect critically on existing products and then put forward constructive explanations for how to improve their own work. When evaluating and modifying their proposals, they invite feedback, consider different points of view and incorporate insights gained as appropriate.
Design and technology encourages pupils to communicate and model original or innovative design ideas visually, orally and through the written word, using ICT as appropriate. During focused tasks and, in particular, through product analysis, pupils learn independently and with others as they imagine new approaches to designing and making.
The subject develops confident individuals who become increasingly independent and able to take the initiative as they plan and organise activities where they shape, form, mix, assemble and finish materials, components or ingredients.
Design and technology enables pupils to focus creatively on the made world. Pupils visualise alternative solutions when designing and making products and systems and they explore their own and others' ideas and values. They respond resourcefully as they anticipate and overcome difficulties when following their ideas through. All this increases their confidence in their own abilities and opinions, and enhances their feelings of self-worth.
Design and technology supports pupils in becoming responsible citizens through the opportunities it offers them to work cooperatively. During design and make projects pupils give and receive comprehensive feedback as they share possibilities, problems and challenges. When pupils develop a product, they are encouraged to consider its impact on quality of life, and how it can make things better for other people.
Pupils are encouraged to understand ways of maintaining and improving the environment by assessing products in terms of sustainability. As their understanding of cultural and social issues relating to approaches to design grows, they recognise the values of different cultures and traditions and are encouraged to give due consideration to these during designing and making activities.
