New Vision for Design and Technology – How Can D&T Meet the needs of the Creative Industries?
“Creativity is possible in all areas of human activity, including the arts, sciences, at work at play and in all other areas of daily life. All people have creative abilities and we all have them differently. When individuals find their creative strengths it can have an enormous impact on self-esteem and on overall achievement”
(All Our Futures Report 1999)
This week I took part in a panel discussion held by the D&T Association. The aim was to explore what a modern D&T curriculum might look like and how it might facilitate the exchange of knowledge, ideas and creativity amongst students. The hope is that future teaching of D&T would support the creative industries and ensure young people can be informed by a vibrant and dynamic curriculum. The panel members’ spoke passionately about the place of D&T in the future of the UK economy and the future career and life prospects of students who had studied this subject.
Emily Self. BA (Hons) Bespoke Tailoring
There was evident frustration in how the curriculum can be siloed, that there is a general lack of understanding of career opportunities in this area, a shortage of knowledgeable teachers able to motivate and stimulate young people into wanting to study this subject and that society generally as well as teachers and parents in particular need to comprehend the vital part that design and technology plays in the economy.
Whilst the panel recognised the need to improve the D&T provision there was nevertheless an overwhelming sense that the UK is uniquely positioned to remain a world leader. We are a great creative nation and this curriculum, along with the other related subjects of art, music, performance, dance and theatre mustn’t lose this huge advantage, as it can help us play a key role in the developing global economy.
