Design at Orange Hill: A Retrospective Analysis

Abstract

Though the idea is much debated nowadays, there is a general consensus of opinion that design and technology education in schools is a 'good thing'. However, there is nowhere near as much agreement over exactly what form this education should take. While it may be agreed that the traditional craft work lessons were lacking in some areas, exactly which areas these are is not really clear. What is it that should be taught in schools, and what is it that a pupil taking a design and technology course can hope to learn?

In this article I will attempt to show what it is possible tg gain from a design course by a review of the teaching of design at Orange Hill School. After a detailed analysis of the teachings and underlying thought behind the course, we will conclude with a brief discussion on what the course omits.