Like Hudson, she endorses Techsoft 2D Design, Crocodile Clips and PCB Wizard. The technology department at Finham Park - a designated maths and computing college - gets by on a roomful of second-hand machines donated by a local university and which the department installed and maintains itself - an admirable way to maintain a policy of one workstation per pupil.Īlison Oxley teaches design technology at Wickersley school and sports college in Rotherham. "You still need to check the circuit diagram but this is an easier process than checking copper tracking." And to achieve all this, you don't have to have a suite of brand new hardware. These programs, he says, save time and resources. "It replaces much of the need for prototyping and is a great way to learn about and understand circuits." "This is a core application which we use heavily," he says.
"Students see day-to-day computer use as a natural way to work." So, like many of his peers, Gardiner uses a range of design software in class and recommends, among others, 2DDesign (to control cutting tools), Picaxe (for flow charts), and Control Studio (to simulate electronic systems) as well as a range of software he designed himself.įor complex applications like circuit simulation, Gardiner commends LiveWire. "Electronics is one of the most fruitful parts of the curriculum for computer applications," he says. Paul Gardiner teaches electronic products at GCSE and technology at key stage 3 at Finham Park school, Coventry. For web development, the department relies mostly on the Macromedia software, Contribute, for editing and Dreamweaver for development. A version can be given to students for home via a licence agreement. "The package has been in use in schools for 20 years and has continued, via regular updates, to be a valuable teaching and learning resource," says Hudson.
Telford also continues to use TechSoft 2D Design tools, which allow students to create accurate vector graphics. Other long-standing programs he recommends are Crocodile Clips and PCB Wizard - software he considers invaluable in developing electronics circuits and printed circuit boards.
The software is available free to schools once they have done a training course, but Hudson says it has been underused in many schools. The objects can be made via Minicam, which drives a range of Cam (computer-aided modelling) cutting machines. "But it is immensely effective in developing proposals and refining solutions to projects."Īrtcam, originally used in jewellery design, is another design development package that offers students the chance to create 3D objects with incredible detail. "The package is powerful and can be challenging," Hudson warns. ProDesktop has been used for six years and is introduced to lessons from year 7. "The software also enables files to be generated that can be used to drive rapid prototype, 3D modelling machines and three- and four-axis cutting machines." "They are able to animate drawings and produce high-quality rendered images," says Hudson.
It provides "a full 3D package" in which students can design, refine and model ideas.
Software has become more intuitive and approachable there appears never to be an age when they are too young to learn."Īccording to the national curriculum: "ICT helps pupils learn in design and technology by stimulating their work, allowing them to accurately manufacture what they have designed, and helping them to manufacture real and quality products with a professional finish." So what works best? The principal design software used at Telford includes ProDesktop, originally issued as part of the Cad (computer-aided design) in Schools initiative.
Students tend to be engaged by the use of dynamic or video materials they can control. "Each generation of software enhances the student's capabilities and the range of possibilities. "Design and technology has never been better served with software and IT resources than now," says Mark Hudson, deputy head and director of technology at Thomas Telford school in Telford, Shropshire. After all, the industries that comprise the subject - electronics and textiles, graphic design and, by extension, architecture - were the ones that embraced the computer early. Of all the subjects taught in schools, D&T dovetails with the development of ICT closest of all. Computers and design and technology (D&T) lessons go together like toast and marmalade.