Design Technology

Staffing

• Mr R Bond (Curriculum Leader)
• Mr G Spruce (Second in Department)
• Mr A Hadfield (Technology Bid Co-ordinator)
• Mr K Jones
• Mrs K Pearson
• Mr G Dean
• Mr R J Rooney (Technician)
• Gavin McMororine

The department is staffed by 6 full time specialist Design Technology teachers and a full time technician. The rooms are all well equipped with computers, clean areas for designing and multi-media work benches. There are many other resources available such as interactive white boards, and CAD/CAM machinery including a large laser cutter.

In addition to the workshop areas we have a modern ICT suite of 32 computers running the latest Design and Technology related software such as ProDesktop, 2D Design, Livewire, PCB Wizard and various Multimedia applications.

Why teach Design Technology?

"The quality of design and technology in our schools is a vital requirement for the country`s future in the

21^st century" - James Dyson, inventor and designer.

As human beings our capacity for making things is unique. The products and systems that we use and have come to expect are an essential part of the lives we lead. Design and Technology is the core activity that allows pupils to develop and practice skills needed to design and make artefacts relevant to a modern day context.

At KS3 our aim is stimulate and maintain pupil`s interest and curiosity for this subject and to provide them with the necessary skills, knowledge, and understanding for them to become not only competent designers and manufactures but also discerning and informed users of products. The `problem-solving` approach is the basic foundation of all projects and this leads to the use of a range of up to date technologies for both the design and manufacture of products. As pupils progress, the availability of different materials for their projects increases and the inclusion of more complex electronics, CAD/CAM and mechanisms provides pupils with exciting opportunities to produce quality products.

 

 

 

Key Stage 3:

At KS3 all pupils are in mixed ability groups and they have 4 Design Technology lessons every two weeks.

They design and make a variety of artefacts and some projects are designed to last a few lessons whilst others last several weeks. Projects are designed to allow progression through the key stage. Pupils are taught to gather and present information about the design problem, to sketch and develop their ideas using a variety of graphic techniques, to evaluate their ideas and also how to make a product of quality and to evaluate the final outcome.

In Year 7 pupils currently design and make a range of items including a mechanisms puppet, a cushion and bedside lamp. The projects build on the work undertaken at KS2. Pupils are encouraged to think about the materials, equipment and processes used and to develop the appropriate technical vocabulary.

Again at year 8 pupils undertake a variety of projects of different lengths. The projects become more demanding and require more depth of thought and understanding from the pupils. Projects include a Structures project on Bridges, a Steady hand game using PICAXE chips and a boat design competition.

Year 9 pupils undertake a larger project based on the design of an MP3 Amplifier. They are encouraged to become more independent in their design thinking by making the project more open-ended allowing for `creativity` in the use of materials and processes. There are a number of smaller design challenges throughout the year to build on skills needed for Years 10 and 11.

At the end of the key stage it is our aim that pupils should have a good knowledge of the design process and a good understanding of the tools, equipment and process needed to realise their ideas. This is underpinned by a philosophy of problem solving and the role that Design Technology plays in their everyday lives.

Throughout years 7, 8 and 9 pupils are regularly assessed against the National Curriculum levels of attainment in Design Technology, at Audenshaw we have broken this down into the following seven strands;

1. Research and Analysis
2. Specification
3. Ideas generation
4. Development of a solution
5. Planning
6. Making
7. Evaluating

The areas to be assessed are included on the front of each design booklet, with easy to understand pupil self assessment guidance at the end of each section. The National Curriculum has been carefully mapped to allow all the areas to be visited at least twice during KS3. An overall teacher assessment level is given at the end of the key stage when reporting to parents.

Shortly after Easter of year 9 each pupil chooses their option in Design Technology, the full choice of courses is outlined in the options booklet and further details are given in a year 9 assembly. Each pupil will choose the course they are to follow for the next two years based upon their strengths in the subject and with guidance from their teacher. Between 95-98% of pupils get their first choice!

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Key Stage 4:

As we are a Technology College all pupils study Design and Technology at KS4. Year 10 and 11 pupils have 5 lessons every two weeks. The department provides full GCSE courses in the following areas;

AQA Design Technology Resistant Materials

AQA Design Technology Product Design

AQA Design Technology Electronic Products

During this stage the previous areas of study are built on and the pupil experience becomes broader and technically more demanding. All groups are mixed ability and teachers are guided by a pupils past performance to help them set realistic GCSE targets for achievement at the end of year 11.

Resistant Materials

This course will allow pupils to carry out designing and making activities through metal, plastics and wood. However, pupils may also use other materials, such as ceramics and textiles for project work. The course is flexible enough to allow the use of electronics as a component to a resistant material, but the resistant material should form the dominant feature of the project work.

Assessment comprises two components:

Written paper 40% of the marks

Coursework project 60% of the marks

0n the written paper, pupils are tested on their knowledge and understanding of designing and making and the three main materials: metal, plastics and wood.

A preparation sheet will be issued to candidates at the beginning of March in the year of the examination. This sheet will give advanced notice of the design area for the written paper allowing pupils to prepare some general information prior to the examination.

The coursework project will consist of a 3-dimensional product and a concise design folder. Pupils will have the freedom to use a variety of materials in the manufacture of their project.

Product Design

This course will allow pupils to specialise in the area of product design where they will learn about a range of materials, manufacturing processes, techniques and technologies and be able to use them as appropriate in the design and make process.

Assessment comprises two components:

Written paper 40% of the marks

Coursework project 60% of the marks

0n the written paper, pupils are tested on their knowledge and understanding of materials, components, processes, techniques and the evaluation of commercial practices and products. Questions will largely address general aspects of product design and will cross all material areas.

The coursework project will consist of a 3-dimensional product and a concise design folder. Pupils have the freedom in product design to use the type and variety of materials necessary to satisfy their design brief.

Electronic Products

This course will allow pupils to specialise in the area of electronic products where they will learn about designing and making quality products using appropriate electronic components and construction methods. Pupils will also use appropriate materials and manufacturing techniques to contain the electronics.

Assessment comprises two components:

Written paper 40% of the marks

Coursework project 60% of the marks

0n the written paper, pupils are tested on their knowledge and understanding of materials, components, processes, techniques and the evaluation of commercial practices and electronic products.

The coursework project will consist of a 3-dimensional electronic product and a concise design folder. The electronic circuitry will form a dominant part of the project.

For the introductory projects in year 10 various mark sheets and pupil progress sheets are maintained both to assess work and to give feedback to pupils about how they are progressing.

During the major projects individual pupil assessment sheets are used to record a grade for each section as the work progresses and to give feedback to pupils. Final grades A-G are given at the end of the project work in year 11. Sections of theory are assessed by internal tests.

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AS Level

GCE Design & Technology: Product Design (3-D Design) (2550)

Students in the sixth form follow the AQA course of Product Design (3-D Design). Year 12 and year 13 pupils have 10 lessons every two weeks.

Coursework counts for 50% of the total marks while the exam make up the other 50%.

Throughout the course there will be numerous design and make assignments but there is also a requirement to learn and understand the in-depth theoretical content associated with the course. We try to organise a variety of trips out to broaden our students knowledge and have successfully managed to encourage many of our past students to study Product Design based courses at University.

The course is broken down into a number of units.

Unit 1 - Written Exam (2 hours) - 50% of total AS and 25% of total A Level marks

Topic list

• Developing an understanding of the physical and mechanical properties in a broad range of materials and components
• The broader issues for the designer including the environmental sustainability of products and their manufacture
• Methods in which materials and components can be manipulated to manufacture products
• Health and safety issues relevant to working with materials
• Computer aided design (CAD) and computer aided manufacture (CAM)
• Ergonomics and anthropometrics, inclusive design, and consumer safety
• The life cycle of products including manufacture, use and functional aspects and final disposal.

This paper is based primarily on Materials and Components.
Consisting of three sections:

• Section 1 contains compulsory limited response questions
• Section 2 offers a choice of one question from two
• Section 3 contains one compulsory question.

Unit 2 - Coursework (50 hours) - 50% of total AS and 25% of total A Level marks

Coursework is based upon the assessment of a single substantial piece of work; past projects have included themes such as lighting and children’s seating.

Students are expected to design and make a product for a client that will contain aspects of industrial and commercial practice. We currently use electronic design portfolios (PowerPoint) to build evidence against the assessment criteria set out by the exam board.

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At A2, the specification offers candidates the opportunity to further develop the knowledge and practical skills from AS. Candidates will continue to develop a body of coursework alongside an understanding of the processes and procedures of commercial production and manufacture and will consist of:

Unit 3 - Written Exam (2 hours) - 25% of total A Level marks

Topic list

• Classifying materials and identifying, testing and comparing their application to product manufacture
• The implications of Health and Safety as an element of design activity
• Examination of alternative designs and redesigning existing products
• Use of natural resources, materials utilisation, conservation, waste disposal/management, pollution, recycling
• Appreciation and understanding of the use of CAM for industrial production
• Moral, economic, social and environmental responsibilities of the designer
• Planning production procedures and methods.

This paper is based primarily on Design and Manufacture. It is the Synoptic paper and will include sufficient assessment to test the candidates` understanding of the connections between the different elements of the subject and their holistic understanding of the subject.

Unit 4 - Coursework (60 hours) - 25% of total A Level marks

Coursework is once again based upon the assessment of a single substantial piece of work; past projects have included themes such as computer styling and radio design.

Students are expected to design and make a product for a client that will contain aspects of industrial and commercial practice. We continue the use of electronic design portfolios (PowerPoint) to build evidence against the assessment criteria set out by the exam board.

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The department welcomes many students into its sixth form from many other schools as well as Audenshaw, however, students will require a grade A*, A or grade B in any Design Technology discipline. However unit 2 and unit 4 above will be Resistant Materials projects since the facilities are not available for projects that are wholly food or textiles based.

Come along to our open evening to see the current year`s coursework and see if this challenging and forward looking course is for you.

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