Systems and control

Design and Technology

Secondary

Year 11 pupils in Liverpool embark on a social enterprise project

Liverpool's status as European Capital of Culture 2008 is celebrated as a group of Year 11 pupils create a computer game for a school enterprise project. The pupils, from St Margaret's Church of England High School, formulate an idea for the game, called Streets of Culture, based on a motor race around the city's most famous cultural landmarks. They team up with Jaguar - a company based a mile from the school - who provide them with computer models and an insight into how cars are designed and manufactured. They also spend a day at Liverpool Hope University to finalise developing the project, and have their designs and images generated into a game by a local software development company. Inspired by the project, St Margaret's now want to produce another game in partnership with up to 10 other schools in Liverpool.

Computer Generated Enterprise

Portsmouth harbour inspires an interesting KS3 D&amp;T lesson

In a design and technology lesson inspired by freight ships and ferries at Portsmouth harbour, local pupils design, make and race model cargo boats. The lesson, led by team teachers Justin Baker and Christopher Smith, incorporates key concepts from the new secondary curriculum. Pupils are divided into groups, each representing a different country. The boats carry cargo typical of their country, helping pupils understand the cultural and economic reasons for their boats. By supplying the pupils with an environmentally-friendly elastic band-powered propeller, pupils are made aware of the environmental impact a design could have. The teams are judged on the distance their boat travels, team work, how the boats carry the cargo, and the boats' appearance. Justin reflects on how the new-style lessons are encouraging pupils to become creative problem-solvers of the future with an awareness of how designing and making has an aesthetic and economic impact on the world.

KS3 Design and Technology - The New Curriculum

     A discussion about the effectiveness of using handheld technology     

A discussion focusing on the effectiveness of handheld technology and software in enhancing pupil learning and assessment. Goldsmiths College's Professor Richard Kimbell and senior researcher Tony Wheeler lead the discussion, following a two day trial of interactive software and handheld computers at Saltash.net community school in Cornwall. The discussion also reflects on the challenge of using new technology to enhance learning in classrooms rather than allowing the technology to take over. The discussion is useful for those schools that are thinking carefully about the best way to invest in new technology. Should they continue going for large expensive PCs or should they choose something smaller and more personalized?

KS3/4 Design and Technology - New Technology: The Issues

Pupils try out specially adapted PDA software to enhance learning       

In this programme Year 10 pupils at Saltash.net Community School, near Plymouth, spend two days testing out specially adapted software on PDAs. The cutting edge trial of interactive handheld computers is specially customised for the classroom to enhance pupil learning and assessment. These are multi-functioned with a typing and drawing facility, they take photos and can voice record comments and ideas. The pupils can look at each others work, which is continuously beamed up onto the teacher's laptop ready to be assessed and commented upon. The trials are part of a prototype design and technology GCSE exam being developed for the DfES and QCA by Professor Richard Kimbell of Goldsmith's College, London.

Professional Development for Quality Teaching

Subjects

> Secondary Design and Technology

> Systems and control

Computer Generated Enterprise

KS3 Design and Technology - The New Curriculum

KS3/4 Design and Technology - New Technology: The Issues

KS3/4 Design and Technology - The Future's Handheld