October 24th, 2011 → 11:13 am @ admin
It’s been another busy year with the online Design and Technology Mentoring Program. It really keeps me very busy reading all those draft Folios at night and the large range of innovation being produced is truly wonderful. I thank you for your patience as on some occasions due to family matters I have not been [...]
April 22nd, 2011 → 12:48 am @ admin
Curriculum and Board of Studies Requirements I recently can across a problem where a school had set assignments which did not meet the Board of Studies curriculum and had been set up in good faith by teachers. It is a timely reminder to both Design and Technology pupils and teachers to check the technology curriculum [...]
January 7th, 2011 → 1:29 pm @ admin
A very common machine in a school workshop is the Pedestal Drill. One of the advantages of using this type of drilling machine is that the hole you drill will be square to the job in two planes. It is very difficult to achieve this with a hand drill. The Pedestal Drill is easier to [...]
January 2nd, 2011 → 6:28 pm @ admin
You have dreamed up a great project for your Major Design Project, used CAD to draw it up and have a great school workshop available for manufacturing. But being new to manufacturing there are a number of issues which relate to working safely in a workshop. Have you been shown by your teacher [...]
December 9th, 2010 → 9:16 pm @ admin
There has been an announcement made by the NSW Board of Studies relating to the maximum number of pages which will be allowed in 2011. For Design and Technology students in 2011 the maximum number of pages has been set at 85 pages. Students in the past have presented folios which were considered excessive in [...]
October 16th, 2010 → 3:35 pm @ admin
Many students once they have made a Design and Technology Project will need to metal plate their project to prevent it from rusting and give it a professional look. Here is a video on how metal can be plated and the various steps that go into metal plating.
May 28th, 2010 → 11:52 pm @ admin
Your folio will naturally contain many photographs of your Major Design Project as it develops. When working in either school or home workshops always make sure you have safety in mind. You need to mention how you observed safety regulations and this should be evident in any photographs you present in your folio. A student [...]
May 27th, 2010 → 11:01 pm @ admin
When it comes to a students Major Design Project, a frequently asked question in many of the emails I receive is “Where will I be able to purchase………………………..” and “How much is my Major Design Project likely to cost?” Two issues face students. Where will I find the material I need and how do I calculate how [...]
February 21st, 2010 → 11:10 am @ admin
Anything is possible! One of the questions I regularly receive from Design and Technology Students is asking my advice on the suitability of their proposed Major Design Project. Sometimes the ideas proposed are either going to need very expensive manufacturing equipment or processes which are not available to the average Design and Technology student [...]
January 25th, 2010 → 6:30 pm @ admin
Sustainability Firstly what is sustainability? We hear the words ‘sustainable‘ and ‘sustainability‘ almost every day. But what does it mean exactly? Is it about people and culture, our environment, or jobs and money? Is it about cities or the country? Is it about you and me or is [...]