Purpose and Aims of the Course

The S1 Design & Technology course is designed to meet the requirements for the third level Experiences and Outcomes in “Craft, Design, Engineering and Graphics contexts for developing technological skills and knowledge” from a Curriculum for Excellence.
It also meets requirements from a range of other contexts but most specifically “Technological development in Society” and “ICT to enhance learning”.
In addition, if pupils choose to study our subjects in S2 and S3, the course leads on to continued development of skills and knowledge in the contexts above at both third and fourth level; or to specific study of Practical Technologies Experiences and Outcomes at both third and fourth level.

Course Description
The course is structured into four main units these are:
• Graphic Communication (Manuel & CAD)
• Design & Manufacture (Ice Scrapper)
• Practical Woodwork (Birdfeeder)
• Engineering Science (Jitterbug)

Pupils will participate in a wide range of experiences across the department within these units.
Pupils will learn and develop skills in problem solving; design; manufacturing techniques; manual drawing and computer aided graphics; tool skills and health and safety issues associated with in a workshop environment.
The units studied in S1 will help give pupils a broad insight into the courses offered and provides a good foundation for moving on to study for qualifications, at the right level for the pupil, in the later stages of secondary education known as the Senior Phase.

Learning and Teaching Approaches
The learning and teaching approaches used to deliver our courses will include: problem solving; collaborative learning; self and peer evaluation; pupil/teacher interactive demonstrations; active learning; discussion and research.

The Literacy Skills that the course develops are:

Listening and Talking
Creating texts
Finding and using information
Tools for listening and talking
Understanding, analysing and evaluating

Writing
Creating texts
Organising and using information
Tools for writing

Reading
Finding and using information
Understanding, analysing and evaluating

Development of Literacy and Numeracy
• number and number processes
• measurement
• properties of 2D shapes & 3D shapes
• Angle, symmetry and transformation
• data and analysis

Assessment Methods
• Teacher observation of designing and practical activities
• Teacher questioning
• Verbal and written pupil evaluation with personal target setting
• Teacher feedback
• Teacher, self and peer assessment of products made & knowledge learned

Homework and Home Learning Guide
Homework:
Pupils will be asked to carry out planning and research tasks in order to be prepared for some of the practical activities in the workshop as well as design tasks to aid folio work. They will also be asked to write up self and peer evaluations of the learning and activities at the end of every unit.

Pupil Perspective

“I really enjoyed S1 Design and Manufacture as we didn’t really do anything like this in primary school.
My favourite project would have to be the bird feeder practical project as we got to use all sorts of tools in the workshop.”
Szymon Wolczyk KD9 (Studying S2 D&M & GC)

“I really enjoyed designing the ice scrapper using pencil walking as you can be really creative which I like. We also made in the workshop. It was a challenge as I had never used any of the tools before but really good fun.”
Lya Doidge-Harrison B3 (Studying S2 D&M & GC)

What can you do to help your child?

Support your child to complete homework tasks in advance of lessons and encourage them to ask their teacher for assistance if required.