Design and Technology Framework: Review process

Reviewing the set of projects or units

Commonly, at Key Stage 3, design and technology consists of a planned series of projects. The Framework does not define a particular set of projects to be undertaken. The Framework objectives can be achieved through a wide range of different projects that can be chosen by the teachers in the design and technology department to suit the particular staffing, pupils, interests and resources at the school. However, the current reappraisal of design and technology in schools presents a timely opportunity for departmental staff to check the range and nature of the projects they choose across Key Stage 3. The scheme of work review sheet provides a checklist which defines key criteria for reviewing existing projects. It also includes an element of checking whether there are projects addressing:

• tomorrow's technologies
• working as a team
• social and environmental issues
• past technologies
• producing socially and culturally defensible products

and so on. The sheet should also be used to check that there is a mix of projects such as short, long, focused, open, designing but not making, starting with evaluation or at different points in the process. Most importantly, the review should consider how far the projects motivate and enthuse pupils and make them want to do more.

The examples in this article are from a design and technology department that took part in the pilot. Staff used their review process to develop the department's short-, medium- and long-term planning.