Design Technology

Design technology is the study, design, development, application,

implementation, support and management of computer and non- computer based
technologies for express purpose of communicating using various mediums, product
design intent and constructability as well to facilitate product operation and
maintenance and to ultimately improve overall product design realization,
construct, operation and maintenance.
There are several reasons why technology and design is important in the
curriculum.
- Helps students to apply the essential knowledge, understanding and skills to the
design production process to allow students to solve problems successfully.
- Enable students to develop autonomy when taking project to completion.
- Helps develop and sustain students innovation, creativity and technology, and
designs capability.
-Helps students understand technological advancement and how it can affect our
society and environment.
-Helps develop and stimulate interest into how technological products work and how
they can be improved.
-Use ICT (Information and communication Technology) to enhance students
technological capability.
-Understanding the potential impact of technology is critical to the world around us.
The effects of the use of technology to both our schools and the business world are
complex and positive. Technology will have different values for different people and
at different times.
Advantages of technology in the classroom
-

Change in students and teacher roles

Technology helps students to actively make choices about how to generate,
obtain, manipulate or display information students are actively thinking
about information making choices.
Increased motivation and self-esteem, once the students get to achieve
success in whatever project they are doing, they feel motivated and their selfesteem is raised. After succeed in one project the students feel motivated the
students are motivated to do more as compared to when they experience
failure.
Technical skills
Students are able to acquire an impressive level of skills with a broad range
of computer software.
Accomplishment of more complex tasks through the support of technology,
students are able to handle more complex assignments with high order skills.
More collaborative with peers

Students are able to use social networks to communicate and get in touch
with many students across the globe. They are able to learn from one another
Disadvantages of using technology
Lack of support- Technology can be a frustration to both teachers and
students, if the teacher is not well trained on the use of technology. If the
school cannot support the purchased technology, it will not be useful and will
not meet the desired intent.
In adequate teaching methodology
Teachers need to be trained on the use of technology in the classroom,
technology need to be fully integrated for students to learn from it, students
need to learn from technology and not just with technology. If there is no
training on the part of teachers.
Time lost
This is due to connection problem, downloading issues, policing software and
other difficulties that cause road blocks when implanting a lesson in
technology based classroom.
Upkeep and maintenance
The cost of maintenance can be greater for some schools once an equipment
is broken. Some schools are not able to repair it because they do not have
funds assigned for that.
Incompatibility issues
Some materials taught in the classroom like state or national assessment can
only be done on paper and pencil basis. This is the only way this materials
will be accessible for all students at the same time
http://www.methody.or
http//www.edu.govpups/EdReformStudies/EdTecheffectsstudents.html
www.eslteachersboard.com/