Mrs Nicola Stuart– Principal Teacher Faculty
Mr Keith Hird
Miss Ruth Thomson
Miss Rhiann Gibson
Mr Colin Shand
The value of Design and Technology at secondary school.
Humans have a natural inclination to problem solve communicate and make a practical solutions. This happens in a variety of ways depending on the individual and the situation. Part of this is working out what needs to be done, organising and planning for making and finally creating the solution. These skills are extremely important in life at home and at work.
We give learners experience of this through crafts using resistant materials, technical communication skills and technology.
It involves using tools and equipment, handling and processing materials, using communication skills such as reading and making technical drawing, creating graphic products, creating graphic presentation work, using computer applications for modelling and testing ideas, graphics and manufacturing, etc.
Teaching & Learning Environment
Environment:
The Design & Technology department is a stimulating and lively environment.
There are three craft teaching areas in a purpose built for woodwork and metalwork.
There are also two graphics studios which share resources for ICT.
The workshops are well equipped and orderly supporting a safe environment.
Practical work is always evident in the storage areas and at the end of the year the finished projects generates much interest. The graphics rooms have wall interesting and colourful displays of course work which is used to stimulate and encourage discussion.
Courses:
Courses are planned and reviewed on a yearly basis to allow new projects or ideas to be used by class teachers.
Activities and Ethos:
Learners participating in craftwork are required to follow health & safety practices in their general conduct and craft activities. In all classes learners are encouraged to take responsibility for their work. During lunchtimes pupils are given opportunity to come in to the department to work independently.
Learners develop self-confidence by sharing their work, to discuss the progress of their work and develop ways to improve their work.
The learning experiences takes into consideration each pupil’s needs and abilities, while having high expectations of all.
There are four main elements to the experiences of learners in the department:
Graphic Communication: Developing skills and techniques in technical communication; technical drawing, illustration and presentation, sketching and computer applications such as 3D modelling and graphics. This makes a contribution to learners’ activities in all year groups and courses.
Practical Crafts Technology: Developing skills and technique, good practice and awareness in health & safety. The disciplines are in metalwork and woodwork with opportunities in S1, S3, S4 and S5. Learners in craft classes use a considerable amount of technology, related to manufacturing e.g. machinery and hand tools.
Technology: Defined for our use as the application of systems such as laser printing, computer applications, 3D printing, micro controllers and technology building kits. Laser printing and computer applications are used in all courses whereas micro controllers, 3D printing and technology kits tend to be used in the elective course in S2.
Designing: Learners are asked to be innovative and creative as part of the experiences in all our courses. This may be to meet a design brief or simply use their imagination in a less structured task. The amount of design activity will vary depending on the expected outcome of the experience.
Designer Boxes Elective:
This course is designed to give learners an opportunity to be creative and imaginative making a wooden box. They receive instruction on basic box building techniques and gradually develop their own ideas.
This is a very popular S1 elective course.
D&T S1/2 Experiences (Contd)
Fun with Technology Elective:
Learners exerience and use a number of new technology such laser printeing and 3D printing and micro controller systemsas well as working with traditional electronics and electrical systems. There are oportunities to use crafts to build technological devices e.g. paper airoplane launchers.
Electronics:Making an electronic sensor circuit with RGU outreach team.
3D Computer Modelling: Learners work on simple design challenges done on the inventor 3D modelling software which are then made for real on the 3D printer.
Control technology: Learners will program a microprocessor that reads sensors, switches lights and motors on and off. This knowledge is used to build a mechanical device that must perform a task.
Mini ROV (optional): involves building a mini submersible ROV (remotely operated vehicle) that can be used at home in the bath tub at home.
National Qualifications N4 & N5 Courses
Practical Woodwork
The learning outcomes for woodworking focus on:
Accuracy in the marking out and measurement
Cutting and shaping materials
Assembly and manufacturing within given measurements
Surface preparation & finishing
Health & Safety and good working practice
Assessment is carried out at the end of each unit but there are critical stages within the unit where recording the attainment for outcomes must take place. Learners are involved directly in this.
Learners keep a log book of their activities, recording their progress and achievement as the course progresses.
In September after the first unit is completed learners will be advised of the level of course most appropriate for their ability. This decision will be based not only on the evidence in their work but also on their level of independence, motivation and personal organisation demonstrated in the work of first unit.
N3 outcomes and N4 outcomes can be achieved in this course.
There is no progression into a higher. Progression from this course at national 5 is likely to be college or apprenticeships.
This course is designed to give learners an opportunity to be creative and imaginative making a wooden box. They receive instruction on basic box building techniques and gradually develop their own ideas.
