Design portfolios contain the evidence of the knowledge, design process and skills, applied in the realisation of a solution within Design and Technology activity. The knowledge is drawn from a wide range and may include materials, structures, mechanisms, electronics, control systems, ergonomics and graphical and Information Communication Technology. The design process and skills include design capability in research and making discriminating value judgements about materials, systems, intended purpose and technique.

The design portfolio is a record that serves as evidence of the thinking and justification of the decisions made in the course of designing, making and evaluating a solution to an identified problem.

Design Technology may be described as a process that is applied across a range of activities.

The purpose includes the development of critical thinking about all aspects of Design and Technology. It involves analysis and evaluation in making balanced value judgements about social and environmental implications of technological products and processes.

The process is the ability to originate and perform tasks and get things done by exercising problem-solving skills and stand by decisions.

The resources of Technology include knowledge, skills and experiences drawn upon when involved in tasks. These include the following

The concepts, processes and design opportunities when working with materials

Graphic and modelling techniques which develop ability to communicate concepts that relate between two and 3 dimensional forms.

The development of systems that have inputs processes and outputs in a variety of media. The concept of control of mechanical electrical or other systems, by integral, computer or other means. The application and transfer of different energy characteristics to make things work

The capability to identify the opportunities for Design and Technology activities, through the investigation of contexts. An understanding of the impact of past and present Technology on social, environment, political and economic systems at a local and global level. Engage in decision-making on the above issues.

It is appropriate for students to develop their capability in designing and making by experiencing focused activities within discrete areas of application. Ones that are by intention predominantly made of one material ie wood metal plastic or textiles, or are based upon a design design display where the outcome is predominantly in a graphic and text form. Similar experiences can be offered within structures, mechanisms, electronics, and computer control activity.

Students will develop their knowledge and skills by re-visiting discrete areas at progressively more advance levels of activity; and by combining in a single design and make project, experiences from different discrete areas within Design and Technology and other curricular links especially in art, mathematics, and science.

Designing and Making also involves students in making value decisions which take aesthetic, economic, moral and social issues into consideration.

This process continues over a period of years in school and continues beyond formative school experiences.

Experience gained from project work enables students to:

Apply appropriate knowledge to solve problems

Collaborate with others

Experience divergent and convergent thinking

Gain self-discipline and responsibility

Develop creative skills

Apply enterprise and personal commitment

Speculate and apply ingenuity

The following photographic slides and overhead projection transparencies show examples of Design and Technology assignment briefs from Student teachers in training and their design portfolios associated with their manufactured solutions. and school pupils from high school children students design portfolios

Graphical communication

Packaging assignment

Domestic storage/display

structural problem investigations and modelling in lightweight materials.

Use of educational kits to solve a mechanical problem

A device that senses change in the environment.

The following are two typical Design and Make assignments offered to student teachers in training, who were following a BEd degree course in Design and Technology.

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