DESIGN TECHNOLOGY IN THE PRIMARY SCHOOL

ART AND DESIGN TECHOLOGY, GENERAL AIMS and OBJECTIVES

As a Curriculum Co-ordinator for Art and Design Technology it is important to have some understanding of the general aims and objectives of teaching these subjects an any level of education. The following list may help.

• To develop a child's visual awareness and understanding of both media and materials
• To contribute to the emotional, cognitive, social and physical development of the pupils
• To introduce a range of practical activities that may involve skill-development, through technical processes and material or media exploration.
• To extend language through activities that may complement other areas of learning in the curriculum especially those inherent in the design or art process.
• To develop a child's communicative ability, through drawing, objective recording, and spontaneous imagery
• To investigate the relationship between Art and Design Technology, with Society and the Environment
• To increase the individual's awareness of works of art and good design
• To encourage self-expression, and confidence in making images or practical items
• To develop visual and tactile sensitivity and thereby provide a means to perceive, understand, and evaluate the world
• To promote the learning of new skills and the development of ideas, concepts, and attitudes, through the exploration of materials and technical processes
• To provide the opportunity to utilize, enrich, extend, and support other areas of learning within the curriculum
• To enable the child to use equipment safely and effectively
• To give the opportunity for group effort and sharing of experience and ideas

PLOWDEN REPORT Volume One, page 247, paragraph 676

" Art is both a form of communication and a means of expression of feelings which ought to permeate the whole curriculum and the whole of life of the school. A society which neglects or despises it is dangerously sick. It affects or should affect all aspects of our life from the design of the commonplace article to the highest forms of individual expression”.

VICTOR LOWENFELDT.

" To teach toward creativity is to teach toward the future of society"

SOME FUNCTIONS OF ART IN THE PRIMARY SCHOOL CURRICULUM

Communicating, Symbols, signs and marks, conveying information, writing, maps, diagrams

Investigating, Discovering, Analysing, The various environmental, cultural, social, scientific, and historical situations across the ages

Expressing, Personal responses to direct experience

Decorating, Ornamentation, Enhancing or enriching, with understanding of function

Illustrating, Recording , Clear visual presentation, of what they observe and understand

Recognising, The potential for initiation of further development in other areas of learning

STARTING POINTS FOR ACTIVITIES

Remembered Experience Individual Holidays – Bonfire Night – The School Trip.

Secondary Experience, Colour Slides - Photographs - Magazines - Teacher related descriptions or readings

Direct Experience, Observation of plant forms – Shells. familiar objects - Mechanical parts - Local environment

Problem Solving, Designing and making situations - Teacher set limitations.

Media Experience and Techniques, Sgraffito - Wax resist - Oil on water - bubble prints - blown ink

Generally speaking Primary School Teachers have all the personal skills to teach both Art and Design Technology, so what makes a successful teacher in these subject areas.?

• Having an awareness of the potential of the environment both in the classroom and beyond
• Recognising the potential of materials and equipment for creative activity
• Having an awareness of time and age in relation to children's developing needs
• Having available a variety of resources to excite and stimulate children
• Being aware of the power of subject specific language to heighten experience
• Having enthusiasm, interest and a belief in the potential of art in the life of children