Tell Me What You Want, What You Really, Really Want

Abstract

Too often discussions on curriculum development fail to examine underlying assumptions about the nature of education, the identity of design and technology as a 'subject', and its place in the whole school curriculum.' Even our National Curriculum document offers no rationale behind the statutory order2 Indeed there is a danger that design and technology teachers simply do not have time to reflect.3 The DATA consultative paper4 provided a valuable framework for discussion. The present article reports on a workshop at the 1998 DATA Conference. This took the form of a structured, participatory debate, led by two Nuffield Area Field Officers holding differing views on certain fundamental issues. Eight key issues were raised with the leaders presenting a range of arguments. Delegates were then invited to contribute further views before regist