Welcome to the Design and Technology A Level Course. Usually at the start of this course we would go through an introduction to the course. I have included this here in case you have not seen this yet.
The course is well supported by publications produced by PG Online. Every unit of the course is split in to sub-units, each of which has a slideshow with video links to explore the content, a worksheet to complete while working through the content, and an assessed homework sheet to complete after working through the content. There are three key elements to the theory work that you will need to cover:
Designing and Making Principles
These units explore the overarching designing and making principles that all designers need to consider when developing products. Much of this will have been touched on as part of the GCSE course and will be explored in more detail as part of the A Level course, but some of it is new. The course material for these units can be found at the following Firefly address:
https://warminsterschool.fireflycloud.net/design-technology/a-level/designing-and-making
Technical Principles
These units explore the technical aspects of materials, their properties and usage, as well as some of the wider issues concerning product development. Some of this will have been touched on as part of the GCSE course and will be explored in more detail as part of the A Level course, but much of it is new to the A Level course. The course material for these units can be found at the following Firefly address:
https://warminsterschool.fireflycloud.net/design-technology/a-level/technical-principles
Maths Content
As with the GCSE course, 15% of the exam marks for A Level Design and Technology come from Maths based questions. The level of Maths required is broadly equivalent to a GCSE grade 6. To enable us to explore this content in more detail, the publisher has put together a series of Maths for DT lessons, the materials for which can be found at the following Firefly address:
https://warminsterschool.fireflycloud.net/design-technology/maths-for-dt
Why not visit...
The Design Museum website where you can find lots of information about a range of different designs and designers:
The Design Council website where you can find lots of up to date design related news and information:
https://www.designcouncil.org.uk/
The Design Week website, the online portal for a weekly publication all about design:
Dexigner.com, an online magazine about all things design:
Why not watch...
The BBC have started a new series called 'How to Make...' The first three episodes are available on iPlayer at the following links:
Trainer: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m000gwzd/how-to-make-series-1-1-the-trainer
Toothbrush: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m000h3cs/how-to-make-series-1-2-the-toothbrush
Headphones: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m000hbdk/how-to-make-series-1-3-headphones
There is also a good series about plastics called 'The War on Plastics'. The three episodes can be found at:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m0005xgz/war-on-plastic-with-hugh-and-anita-series-1-episode-1
https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m0006347/war-on-plastic-with-hugh-and-anita-series-1-episode-2
https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m00069l2/war-on-plastic-with-hugh-and-anita-series-1-episode-3
Why not do...
In the entrance to the Design Centre, you will no doubt have seen posters showing various peoples' favourite designer and products. Below is a copy of mine. Complete the blank version of the poster and send it to me. I will print it off and it may be displayed.
Why not read...
In addition to the sources above, here is a list of books that might help develop your Design and Technology knowledge and understanding. Where possible I have included the amazon link in case you wish to purchase the book.
What is Design today? by George H. Marcus
Against the Odds by James Dyson
What makes great design by Susie Hodge
Stuff Matters by Mark Miodownik
The Design of Everyday Things by Don Norman
Exactly by Simon Winchester
As part of the transition from GCSE to A Level Design and Technology we expect you to be aware of some of the key concepts that make up the bedrock of the design and development of all products. To this end, prior to starting the A Level course in September, we expect you to have explored and completed the work from Unit 10, Industrial Practices. This unit is split in to five sub-units, each of which constitute about two hours worth of work. There is also an end of unit test which should be completed once each of the sub-units have been completed.
Copies of completed homework sheets for each of the sub-units should be sent to srossiter@warminsterschool.org.uk.
Lesson 1: Unit 10.1 Scales of Production
•Describe the characteristics of different scales of production including unit production systems, quick response manufacturing and vertical in-house production
•Understand the value of different scales of production to the manufacturer and the consumer
Lesson 2: Unit 10.2 Efficient Use of Materials
•Describe how material cost, form and manufacturing processes relate to scales of production
•Understand how designs develop to make economic use of materials
•Identify how manufacturing processes can increase accuracy and reduce waste
•Recognise the savings to be made by bulk production
•Explain the advantages of Just in Time manufacture
Lesson 3: Unit 10.3 Computer Systems
•Explain how computers systems are used to plan and control manufacturing, reduce waste and respond to consumer demand
•Explain specific industrial
manufacturing systems
and the use of computer controlled systems
in production, distribution and storage
•Be aware of the use of standardised, bought in components
•Explain how sub-assembly works
Lesson 4: Unit 10.4 Digital Design
•Describe the pros and cons of using CAD compared to manually generated alternatives
•Explain how CAD is used to develop and present ideas for products
•Understand different industrial applications for CAD
•Describe how CAM is used to manufacture products
Lesson 5: Unit 10.5 Modelling
•Describe how virtual modelling and testing is used in industry prior to production
•Understand the use of rapid prototyping
•Explain how electronic points of sale are used for marketing and research
•Describe the role of production planning and control (PPC) networking in all aspects of manufacture