Last Update:
17th November 1996
Staff Handbook

Key Stage 3 Curriculum Handbook

TECHNOLOGY

Aims of the Course

  1. To enable students to become critically aware of the beneficial and detrimental effects of technological innovation
  2. To involve students in learning how to employ technological devices
  3. To include an involvement in, and understanding of, those areas of technology that can be related to designing and making

The Nature of the Subject

Students study the subject in a series of 12 hour design-and-make modules. Each module will begin with a design problem, end with a fully completed artefact, and along the way will involve such skills as researching, planning, communicating and evaluating. The knowledge and skills delivered within each module will focus around one of 4 material specialisms: resistant materials (wood, metal, plastic), control systems (electronics, mechanisms, hydraulics, computer control), compliant materials (textiles, card, clay, foam) and food. In addition, knowledge and skills from subjects such as Science, Maths, Business Education, Information Technology, and Art and Design will constitute important components of each module.

View the accompanying diagram (33k gif)

Teaching Methods

A variety of teaching methods will be employed. For example, whole-class teaching will be used constantly either as a means of introducing specific skills within each module or as a means of delivering a discrete skills input to ensure that students develop technological capability. Also, a student-centred approach will be widely employed by members of staff. Here, individual students will strive to achieve personal targets which their teachers will set for them. Students are encouraged to direct their own learning to some extent and hence set their own targets.

Homework

An essential part of each Technology lesson will be the process of establishing objectives which all students must achieve by the start of the following lesson. Such objectives could involve students in researching, designing, planning, communicating, evaluating, or in reaching a specific stage in their practical work. Thus, it may not always be possible to meet all the objectives at home. Students need to be skilled in how they plan their time, working in school at lunch times or at the end of the day to complete those pieces of work which cannot be completed at home. In this way, homework is one means of achieving the set objectives, which encompass:
  1. The work students do in school inside lessons
  2. The work students do in school outside lessons
  3. The work students do outside school and at home

Ways in Which Parents/Guardians Can Help

An important element for each student's success in Technology is the development of discussion skills whereby they talk about such things as their design problem, design context, research findings, design ideas and completed artefact with people who have greater experience. Parents are one example of such people as they can be useful sounding-boards for students thoughts and ideas. Parents should therefore take every opportunity to discuss with their children the progress of their project work.

Suggested Reading List

Any design and technology related books or magazines are always useful, along with general knowledge information or encyclopaedias in book or CD-ROM form. One technology textbook used by all years in the school is "Design and Technology" by James Garrett. Parents may purchase this through the school at a cost of £12.95.

Equipment Requirements

Essential equipment:

  • Colouring pencils and felt tip pens
  • Drawing instruments (set squares, protractor, compass)
  • 30cm ruler
  • One hard (2H) pencil
  • One soft (2B) pencil
  • Black fine-line drawing pen
  • A4 ring binder
  • Black ball point pen
  • Protective apron

Useful equipment

  • Scissors
  • Drawing board
  • Personal computer with Windows95 installed
  • Technical lego

Number of Lessons and their Length

Six hours per fortnight, usually in two hour blocks

Members of Staff

  • Mr B Baines
  • Mrs J Bastow
  • Mr J Bilton
  • Mrs C Collett
  • Mr P Harnden
  • Mrs T Hughes
  • Ms N Searles

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