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By Technical Education Unit, Sciences Branch, Curriculum Planning
and Development Division |
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D&T is a coursework-based subject taught in the Secondary
school curriculum. The subject aims to challenge students to
conceptualise design solutions and to bring concepts to fruition
in the form of realised products that address needs arising
from real-life situations. In doing so, emphasis is placed on
both the tangible and creative products and the rigour of the
process in arriving at the products.
Primarily, students learn to design and make viable solutions
or products as they
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plan and manage a project; |
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design and communicate ideas through
design sheets; and |
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apply knowledge in structures,
mechanisms, electronics, materials and practical processes. |
When D&T was first implemented, the teaching and learning
approach was more linear and craft-oriented. This grew from
the old technical programme of Woodwork and Metalwork. Content
knowledge and process skills were taught in a compartmentalised
manner, with weak links to the design project.
Today, D&T teaching practice is maturing and has taken an
approach which makes learning more meaningful and authentic.
This approach integrates content knowledge and process skills
across content domains in the syllabus. Students work on design
projects that are supported by relevant knowledge and skills.
Such an approach aims to give a balanced treatment to the subject
matter in terms of knowledge acquisition and application via
the design process.
In D&T, the knowledge from other subject areas can also
be applied in design projects. For example knowledge learnt
in Science has much potential for application -- the concept
of Sound can be used in the design of devices for different
uses, Kinematics in the design of toys, and Magnetism in the
design of games.
See related article for the thinking process undertaken by a
student to produce the "Throw-a-ring".
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| The
final product: Throw-a-ring (see details in related
article). |
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