The W.A.T.T. Research Team suggest that Design
and Technology Departments prepare for the inevitable reforms by:
1. Increase the range of technology subjects offered by the
Department. These may include existing courses such as Food,
Resistant Materials, Systems and Control, Graphic Products.
2. Introduce vocational courses. Consider Double
Award Engineering or Manufacturing. The Tomlinson Report emphasises
the role of vocational courses. Consequently, Design and Technology
Departments need to move quickly in this direction.
3. Establish / strengthen links with industry and
business. This will help the Department write and develop meaningful
vocational courses and modernise existing courses. People from
business and industry have a wealth of experience and the Design and
Technology Department of the future will need to 'tap' this
resource.
4. Strengthen links with the Science, Maths AND
Art and Design Departments. These Departments will inevitably
support the delivery of key aspects of the new Diploma. The Design
and Technology Department of the future cannot be successful in
isolation.
5. Strengthen links with Further Education. The
Department of the future should develop meaningful links with Sixth
Form Colleges and Universities. The W.A.T.T. Research Team suggest
that Design and Technology Departments develop and share the
delivery of vocational courses (and other courses). Further
Education Colleges often have well equipped workshops and other
facilities that ordinary schools cannot match. Sharing facilities
and staff expertise could be beneficial to the those schools and
colleges that work together.
6. Technology staff must be flexible in what they
can deliver. Specialisation in areas such as Engineering and
Graphics is probably at an end. Staff who cannot adapt may
limit the range of subjects the Design and Technology Department can
deliver and limit their own futures. Investment in training is a key issue.
7. The Design and Technology Department of the
future should extend access to knowledge through the extensive use
of E-Learning. The development of detailed websites and intranet
sites will help pupils access the knowledge and resources they need
to be successful in their credits / components / courses. Pupils
should be able to access these resources twenty four hours a day.
One detailed resource already exists -
www.technologystudent.com
. This has been developed to help teachers and pupils/students
studying or delivering aspects of Design and Technology. One
E-Learning development is the production of a project template
backed up with resources available on the internet. (see project
template on
www.technologystudent.com ). 8. Performance
Management must be central to staff professional development. A good
Head of Department must ensure that his/her staff are fully
supported in their careers. (see the
Performance Management section of this website). The Design and
Technology Department of the future must put emphasis on good
Performance Management. Through this, members of the Department will
be motivated and with good guidance display innovation.
9. The Design and Technology Department of the future must invest in
CAD/CAM. Several companies manufacture CAM machines and one of the
most prominent is BOXFORDs, based in Halifax, Yorkshire, England.
The type of machines placed in the DT department should by capable
of 3D manufacture, probably converting design files from software
such as pro/Desktop. The WATT Research team are clear in that 3D
modelling is an essential ingredient of departments that intend to
lead the delivery of Design and Technology. CAD/CAM interests pupils
of all abilities and in particular pupils who intend to work towards
careers in Design and Technology and all its aspects. CAD/CAM is an
important aspect of manufacturing industry and as such schools must
invest heavily in this technology. |