Debates in Design and Technology Education
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Book Description
Design and Technology has long held a controversial place on the school curriculum, with some arguing that it shouldn’t be there at all. This book presents and questions considered arguments and judgements, and explores the major issues that all D&T teachers encounter in their daily professional lives. In exploring some of the key debates, it encourages critical reflection and aims to stimulate both novice and experienced teachers to think more deeply about their practice, and link research and evidence to what they have observed in schools.
Written by expert design and technology education professionals, chapters tackle established and contemporary issues, enabling you to reach informed judgements and argue your point of view with deeper theoretical knowledge and understanding. Debates covered include:
- What is the purpose of design and technology?
- Is it a vocational or academic subject?
- What is the place of design and technology within the STEM agenda?
- What knowledge and skills do teachers really need?
- What does the design and technology gender divide mean for schools and pupils?
- Is it a ‘creative’ subject?
- What is the future for design and technology?
With its combination of expert opinion and fresh insight, Debates in Design and Technology Education is the ideal companion for any student or practising teacher engaged in initial training, continuing professional development or Masters level study.
Table of Contents
Introduction Setting the Scene 1. Government Policies and Design and Technology Education Daniel Wakefield and Gwyneth Owen-Jackson 2. Developments in Teaching Design and Technology Daniel Wakefield 3. International Perspectives on Technology Education Frank Banks and John Williams Debates about Design and Technology 4. Why is Transition from Primary to Secondary School so Difficult? Cathy Growney 5. Is Design and Technology About Making or Knowing? Mike Martin and Gwyneth Owen-Jackson 6. Design and Technology Education: Vocational or Academic, a case of Yin and Yang Gary O’Sullivan 7. What Makes a Good Technology Teacher? Nigel Zanker and Gwyneth Owen-Jackson Debates within Design and Technology 8. Does Food Fit in Design and Technology? Suzanne Lawson 9. Textiles: Design and Technology or Art? Chris Hughes and David Wooff 10. Using Technology in Design and Technology Alison Hardy and Sarah Davies 11. Stem: Opportunity, Opposition, or Just Good Design and Technology? Tony Cowell Debates about teaching Design and Technology 12. The (Continuing) Gender Debate Dawne Bell, Chris Hughes and Gwyneth Owen-Jackson 13. Creativity for a New Generation David Spendlove and Alistair Wells 14. Assessment Questions David Wooff, Dawne Bell and Gwyneth Owen-Jackson Endpiece
Author(s)
Biography
Gwyneth Owen-Jackson is Senior Lecturer at the Open University, UK.