Teaching Technology: Teaching Technology

Both the year groups that I teach had reasonable but average work over the first 10 weeks. I put this down to the fact that both the subject, and I am new, therefore finding out what is required by the subject and also what to expect from me gave them a level of uncertainty.

Now we are in the second project for both, starting with Grade 6 they are doing research on China and Tangrams. I have marked 2 classes so far and the results are well above average on previous work, some of the images can be seen here for the Front Cover Designs as part of their folio work. I actually feel I am having an effect, though of course I will need to take a slightly less proactive involvement on the next project to see if what I have taught so far has remained or is only short term because I am pushing the need for quality and presentation.

Grade 8 are working on the "Architectural Model - Small Shop" a fore runner to the school model project thats going to be ongoing over the xmas period.
There are 9 different items needed to gain a full grade on this project.
1. A Mindmap of Shops to assist in choosing the style to design. 2. 3 x Design Ideas of the shop style to allow one to be selected. 3,4 & 5. The selected design idea is drawn in Orthograohic, 1 Point and 2 Point perspectives. 6 A 3d rendered Visualisation is created using Google Sketchup. Once all of these stages are completed 7. Manufacture takes place in card with printed skins to reflect the colours materials etc.. The last 2 stages 8 & 9 are the Flow Chart of events and a Gantt Chart of the time used and overlapping areas to allow checking of team work.

All in all I am really into the project - It allows me to teach graphic skills and drawing techniques in a real world scenario, while incorporating 3d modelling in CAD and Manufacture. The kids design the shop and from that they have to think out what the 1 point 2 point etc will look like. This I feel is a far better way to teach introductory graphic skills than the more basic style of graphic skills I taught in Scotland. I feel it is working, as the kids are fully involved in what they are doing they all seem interested in the tasks they are approaching and team work is seen in action which makes me feel I am doing something right. Of course this small scale event over 6 periods (We've had 3 so far) is really to ensure that when they do tackle the school build they are already working as a team and have a knowledge of their skills within their group. There is sadly 1 group who are trying to appear as the cool kids and attempting to do everything in reverse but I have not stopped them or redirected them. I have given them suggestions to the right way to approach the task but they seem to prefer listening to Music and chatting the proof will be in the grades so to speak.
The images below are just a small example of the work the kids are producing, and when you consider this is all new to them they really are easy to teach (When they SHUT UP of course).

I know I have said it in the past but this type of teaching I feel is a better learning experience for the kids, is more enjoyable to teach, and is a far more satisfying experience, than Scottish Curriculums seperated subjects. I believe we should be designing the products we will make in Graphics/Design then manufacturing in the Craft Shop - We would get rid of the Garden Trowel and develope a better learning experience for 19 out of the 20 kids instead of basic skills that 1 kid out of 20 might actually use after leaving school.
Final 2 Pictures my class hard at work. I am on call providing help and support as and when required - keeps you on your toes as you can be advising on a CAD tool use one second and a 2 point perspective issue the next while answering questions on flow charts at the same time - But thats what I am there for .. oh and the coffee thats always in my hand.