Joining up the DOTs: authentic teaching and learning in Design and Technology education

Abstract

This paper reports on an innovative approach for teaching creativity in Design and Technology education based on the notions of authentic learning. Working with secondary schools in England and Ireland, the research team has been developing an intervention known as ‘Designing Our Tomorrow’ (DOT) which introduced students to the important principles of Inclusive Design (also known as Universal Design). Through interview and survey data, the team gained insights into students’ responses to the DOT intervention and they found that students’ creativity and empathy were enhanced following their engagement with the intervention materials.

Keywords:

• inclusive design
• universal design
• creativity
• authentic learning
• student voice
• Designing Our Tomorrow (DOT)