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A case study of the teaching of design and technology in a secondary school
Citation
Tan, J. S. C., & Chen, A. Y. (1996, November). A case study of the teaching of design and technology in a secondary school. Paper presented at the ERA-AARE Joint Conference, Singapore.
Author
Tan, Jason Seng Chong
•
Chen, Ai-Yen
Abstract
Design and Technology is a relatively new subject in the Singapore's
secondary school curriculum. This subject calls for a very different
approach to teaching and learning by both the teacher and the pupil so
as to realise Design and Technology's fullest potential.
Factors influencing the teaching of Design and Technology are many. A
disciplined inquiry using the naturalistic inquiry method revealed the
importance of teacher's design background, teacher's design knowledge
base, teacher's expertise in designing, pupil's attitude and innate
abilities in designing in the implementation of a Design and Technology
programme. This paper will present a `double learning loop process' model of both
teacher and pupil in an intense learning relationship. A comparison is
made between the pupil's folio after going through the learning process
with the teacher and that of a pupil's folio taught in the conventional
approach in a school. The fundamental role of drawing/sketching in
pupil's design abilities, the understanding of the concept of `design
process-in-action' by both teacher and pupil, and the marking system of
Design and Technology affecting both teaching methodology and pupil's
performance will be discussed.
Date Issued
November 1996