Technology

Why love Technology?

Technology gives our students an experience of real world applications in both the home, social and work environments. Our students have a “love” for practical lessons where they can develop their self esteem. The satisfaction of making a product with their own hands is powerful and instills a sense of independence.

Big Ideas in Technology

Our aim in Technology is to encourage the students to solve problems themselves, giving them the support and guidance they need to achieve. Resilience is a key message and through research, trialing, reflection and development the student should succeed in developing and creating resolutions to given design challenges which also relate to the market or user of the product.

Creative solutions are also a key idea in Technology, trying to encourage thinking about the environment and the challenges we face. This includes tasks such as being creative with our food leftovers and resources in the workshop helps to focus the mind on sustainability issues.

Why the study of Design Technology is important

Technology as a subject is about designing and making products that solve genuine, relevant problems within a range of contexts that consider the needs, wants and values of the user. Students will develop and learn a broad range of theory and practical subject knowledge, enabling them to creatively problem solve. This gives students the opportunities to plan and make products that are useful to the world and this, with the support given, improves self confidence and helps them face and meet challenges.

Why the study of Food Technology is important

Our intention in Technology is to prepare and equip our students for a modern changing world. We are in a global climate where our environment is continually under threat, we try to make students aware of these issues such as sustainability, environmental concerns and future career paths. Making students aware of the current world and how to better design for the future. A problem solving mindset is considered with regards to waste resources and how to alleviate the problem. This subject gives us the potential to encourage practical skills whilst challenging the students to find creative but feasible solutions to given situations or problems.

Challenge

Students are taught to explore and develop their skills and knowledge and the importance of being able to work independently, in pairs and as part of group discussions to reflect and develop their own work. Taking on board feedback and learning to take responsibility for their own creative and practical development within the Technology subjects. Technology is challenging as a subject due to the wide range of skills and knowledge covered in both theory and practical, but the satisfaction gained from a successful creation is the prize.

Vocabulary (Tier 2 & 3)

Knowledge Organisers are used for important key words and ideas in Technology. These allow an easy way to begin to learn and reference the required vocabulary and knowledge to be a successful designer and creator. Subject specific terms such as anthropometrics, ergonomics, nutrition and sustainability are learnt.  Additionally, everyday words are also used to explain their work such as research, analyse, investigate, accuracy, technique and evaluate.

Numeracy

In Technology numeracy is applied in several ways, from measuring, weighing, scale drawings, timings in planning and nutritional analysis. Costing is also considered in some aspects of the subject.

Links with other subjects

Technology has clear links with many subjects. Probably the most important links are Science, Art, Maths and IT. Understanding of material and ingredient properties, use of inspirations in the creative process and accuracy in both hand drawn and CAD designs all play key roles along with the wider issues of sustainability, fair trade and ecological responsibility.

Assessment in Technology

In Years 7, 8 and 9 assessments are built into the topics with regular formative assessment and feedback taking place, with time given to improve work based on the improvement points given. Online keyword and topic quizzes are used to help embed the key terms and knowledge from each topic, with the key information being presented to students on the Knowledge Organisers. There are also end of year assessments in KS3 Technology.

Years 10 and 11 have topic based summative assessments alongside the formative feedback that is built into the project based work. Summative assessment occurs at the end of each theory unit and as part of the Y10 and Y11 mocks enabling them to have exam hall experience within their chosen Technology GCSE focus.

Useful links

Key Stage 3 – Foodafactolife.org.uk. TinkerCAD

Key Stage 4 – Seneca Learning. Foodafactolife.org.uk. TinkerCAD. PG online

Extra curricular opportunities