Tech it Out UK is a Free web site.
For use by Anybody, Anywhere and at Anytime.
Site design.
Create a unique information storage and retrieval system for Design Technology.
Provide a unique central hub for the dissemination of Design Technology knowledge.
From the start, the site was designed to be a very simple system to hold thousands of pages of text, pictures, animations, videos and inter-active learning programs.
Simplify the navigation system by limiting the main headings into three groups, Knowledge, Skills and Projects.
Include a powerful internal search engine.
Show when material has been added or altered and where.
Recognise sources and respect copyright.
Open source coding for others to use.
Raising awareness.
Raise peoples' awareness by showing exactly what Design Technology is all about.
Show that Design Technology requires a high level of practical skills as well as academic knowledge. It is a highly creative multi-disciplined subject.
Raise standards by showing a wide range of high quality content in different media.
Make people aware of the exciting range of highly stimulating jobs that are available.
Recognise that Design Technology is a truly International subject.
Audience.
Motivate self-learners by providing free high quality information and self-assessment.
Provide information for students, tradesmen, teachers from beginners through to the advanced.
Promote the site to all ages not just school children.
Remember that the site is accessible in any country.
Recognise that different information is required in a wide range of professions.
A section for Exams has been added as the site will be used by students taking exams.
Technology
Design Technology is a visual subject highly suitable to electronic media. It can harness the powerful technology of the computer's browser.
The modern browser allows pages to be instantly crossed linked.
HTML is the basic computer language of the Internet. It allows text, pictures, animations, sound and video to be displayed on any monitor.
Interactive control is available by using computer programs such as JavaScript and Java.
The web site content can be altered in minutes. No book can do this.
The Internet is a low cost method of distributing material.
High quality information is available to all, you do not have to rely on teachers, lecturers and academics.
Free distributed information will allow independent learning and reduce education costs.
Questions can be answered by online call-centres, off-line by e-mail (in sunny Spain) and web cams can be used for skill training.
Provide content in high definition resolution 1024 x 768 to suit Broadband and computer Projection.
Definition
Design Technology is the disciplined production of man-made 2 and 3D objects that are made for a purpose or need. Produced singly, or in small or large quantities.
This can include domestic products, cars, posters, a railway, garden or house.
There are three things that make Design Technology unique.
* Purposeful Need.
Whatever is produced must have a purpose or be needed and provide a benefit. The need can be real, e.g. a new smokeless Barbecue or imaginary, e.g. a new perfume.
The identification of a Purpose or Need is the starting point for all designs.
* Design Process.
This is a structured linear process for designing. It has many stages starting with the identification of the need for a new product. It continues through research, designing, making the product to the final conclusions. The Design process is actually used by Professional designers, it's not there to torture students.
* Multi Discipline Subject.
Design Technology combines many principles of other subjects, notably the Sciences, Art, History, Mathematics, English, Business, ICT, Psychology and Sociology. Many professions use Design Technology knowledge and skills.
Background.
For the last ten years, I have been teaching Design Technology on short-term contracts in ten secondary schools (11 to 18 year olds). Previously to that, I spent 30 years in Engineering, Industrial Design, Marketing and Sales. Starting as an apprentice and ending running my own business.
Tech it Out UK has taken 2 years to develop from its original website now used for teachers. The original site became far too complex and showed up the need for simplicity.
Metric units are used with UK spellings.