Working through the design process in the KS3 D&T software

There are many models of the "design process" but for simplicity, a linear model with feedback loops is used in the KS3 D&T software to guide students from an intial state that is often a problem that must be resolved, to a goal state that is a solution to the problem.

To help students work through the various stages of designing and making, our KS3 D&T software package is structured so that students can find information, animations and exercises quickly and easily by clicking on hyperlinks on a diagram of the design process. (See below, the links are inactive on this demo version).

Design process

An image showing the Flash animation logo SWF Flash logo is a link to a Flash animation.

Flash animations are embedded into the pages of all my D&T Modules but there are pictorial links to the animations on this web site so that devices that cannot play Flash animations will at least show a jpeg screenshot of the animation.

If your PC or personal digital assistant (PDA) can play Flash animations you may click on an image showing the Flash animation logo SWF Flash logo to view the animation in a new window.
(Your browser may require you to click "Allow Blocked Content" to view the animation). See info about viewing Flash animations.

A linear model of the design process is used because it is easily understood and it suggests a purposeful activity, getting from a problem to a solution, or a product to a better product.

To get from a problem to a solution, or from an existing product to a new and better product (for a particular set of circumstances) our D&T notes, animations and exercises guide students through a cyclic process of design development involving modelling and evaluating ideas.

The designer is given a problem to solve or a design to improve.

The designer has an idea, then works out a solution through a process of iterative design development.

 
design process

Students are encouraged to think of a variety of different ideas and alternatives to each of their ideas when designing.

The designer is given a problem to solve or a design to improve.

The designer records several ideas, analyses each idea, chooses the best then through a process of iterative design development works out a solution.