The importance of design and technology

Abstract

As Design and Technology is an integral subject in the Maltese National Curriculum, the first investigation in this dissertation is about the modern history of this subject. Following is a section outlining arguments in favour of the subject, include educational reasons why it is important for Design and Technology to be part of the core of the curriculum. While Design and Technology may consist of the use and manipulation of a number of materials and components, the common features should be identifying a problem, analysis it, synthesising a possible solution from various alternatives and realising the chosen alternative. The aim of this dissertation is to evaluate the importance of Design and Technology. The qualitative research instruments are two case studies, which consist of the delivery of two technological activities. Both activities were delivered at Guze D' Amato Boys' Secondary School with different cohorts of school pupils. In both activities, the students had the opportunity to solve technological problems from design through to the making of the model. Students were observed mainly for their first reaction of this subject. Different reasons were given why this subject appears to be so important to them. The study also showed that the students' expectations were in parallel with the vision stated by the National Minimum Curriculum (1999).