Talking D&T
Talking D&T is a podcast about design and technology education. Join me, Dr Alison Hardy, as I share news, views, ideas and opinions about D&T. I also talk about D&T with teachers, researchers and academics from the D&T community.
The views on this podcast are my own and of those I am interviewing and are not connected to my institution. Much of the content is work in progress. As well as talking about D&T, I use it to explore new ideas and thoughts related to D&T education and my research, which are still embryonic and may change. Consult my publications for a reliable record of my considered thoughts on the topic featured in this podcast.
Podcast music composed by Chris Corcoran (http://www.svengali.org.uk)
Episodes
195 episodes
Design and Make: A Critical Look
In this episode of Talking D&T, I explore the complex nature of design and make activities in design and technology education. Drawing on research from Richard Kimball, David Perry, and Robert McCormick, I unpack the pedagogical approach of...
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Episode 192
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14:19
Pedagogy & Design: Clarifying Teaching Methods in D&T
Drawing a clear line between how we teach and what we teach seems straightforward—until you step into a Design & Technology classroom. In this thought-provoking exploration of pedagogy in D&T education, I unpack why teachers often blur ...
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Episode 191
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15:30
D&T knowledge That Sticks: Residual vs Fingertip Learning
Knowledge frameworks matter profoundly in Design and Technology education, yet teachers often struggle to distinguish between what students need to know for a specific project versus what builds lasting capability. This episode tackles that cha...
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Episode 190
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15:35
Thinking Out Loud: How Teachers Can Model Design Decisions
In this episode of Talking D&T, I explore the crucial distinction between using design strategies as pedagogy and explicitly teaching these strategies as curriculum content. Drawing from my recent research on blurred boundaries between peda...
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Episode 193
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7:35
Values in Design and Technology: More Than Just Technical Decisions
In this episode of Talking D&T, I explore the complex role of values in design and technology education. Drawing on research from influential scholars like David Layton, Mike Martin and Rhoda Trimingham, I unpack how values aren't merely pe...
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Episode 189
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16:29
Mapping D&T Knowledge: Beyond Conceptual and Procedural
In this episode, I delve deeper into the forms of knowledge that underpin design and technology education. Building on McCormick's conceptual and procedural knowledge framework, I propose a more nuanced approach that considers design knowledge ...
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Episode 188
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17:01
Knowledge in D&T: More Than Just Skills and Facts
In this episode, I explore what research tells us about knowledge in Design & Technology education. Understanding the nature of knowledge in D&T is crucial for effective teaching and curriculum planning, so I examine both procedural and...
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Episode 187
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31:37
Planning for Progression: Understanding D&T Capability
In this episode, I delve deeper into the concept of D&T capability, building on my previous discussion of Kimbell and Stables' work. I explore how different researchers and practitioners have approached this fundamental construct in design ...
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Episode 186
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8:38
What is D&T Capability? Back to Basics
In this episode, I delve into the fundamental purpose of the design and technology curriculum, focusing on the concept of D&T capability. Drawing from seminal research by Richard Kimball and Kay Stables, I explore how this capability encomp...
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Episode 186
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10:26
Bridging Schools and Universities: Reshaping D&T's Future
In this episode, I'm sharing some exciting developments in design and technology education, starting with insights from a recent policy event I led at Nottingham Trent University. The day brought together D&T teachers and university lecture...
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Episode 185
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9:07
Behind the Mic: The Story of Talking D&T 2024
In this reflective end-of-year episode, I take stock of Talking D&T's journey through 2024 and share plans for the future. With 52 episodes published this year - including 27 interviews spanning two major series, PATT40 and Shaping D&T ...
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Episode 184
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16:16
Beyond Words: Teaching Technical Skills Through Conversation
In this episode of Talking D&T, I chat with Simone Norman, a D&T teacher at Sutton High School in South London who also leads on equality, diversity and inclusion. Our conversation examines a fascinating paper from the PAT40 conference ...
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Episode 183
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35:42
Shaping D&T: Reflections on Evolution vs Revolution
In this reflective episode of Talking D&T, I explore the key themes and insights that emerged from my 26-part series on shaping design and technology education. Drawing from my conversations with educators, researchers, and industry experts...
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Episode 182
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20:06
Subject Integrity: When Art & Design Meets Design & Technology
In this episode, I'm joined by Michele Gregson, General Secretary and Chief Executive of the National Society for Education in Art and Design (NSEAD). With over 30 years of experience across education, Michele brings valuable insights into the ...
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Episode 181
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46:30
From Tinkering to Teaching: Electronics in D&T
In this episode of the Talking D&T podcast, I reflect on the evolution of teaching electronics and systems in design and technology education. I share my experiences from when I started teaching in 1993, highlighting the changes and challen...
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Episode 180
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10:28
Shaping D&T: Evolution, Not Revolution
In this episode of the Talking D&T podcast, I describe the recent curriculum and assessment review panel meeting I attended in Cambridgeshire. I explore the ongoing call for evidence and its implications for design and technology education....
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Episode 179
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18:42
From Circuits to Creativity: Reimagining D&T Resources
In this episode, I chat with Kevin Spurr and Becky Forshaw from Kitronik, a company supplying D&T resources to schools. Kevin, a co-founder with 20 years of experience, and Becky, a former primary teacher, offer unique perspectives on the e...
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Episode 178
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40:03
Curriculum Review Call to Action: Your Voice in Shaping D&T's Future
In this episode of Talking D&T, I break down the curriculum and assessment review for England. As a researcher...
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Episode 177
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30:44
Cultivating Creativity: Biomimicry in the D&T Classroom
In this episode of Talking D&T, I'm delighted to chat with Venessa Lourdes Silveira, a PhD student in Educational Theory and Practice with a fascinating background in design and technology education. We dive into Venessa's action research p...
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Episode 176
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39:54
Designing Spaces: The Invisible Pedagogy of D&T Classrooms
How can the design and layout of a D&T classroom shape students' creativity and comfort in the space?In this episode of Talking D&T, I continue the discussion from my recent chat with Alice Hellard and Derek Jones about design s...
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Episode 175
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11:39
Talking Design Studio Pedagogy with Alice Hellard and Derek Jones
In this episode of Talking D&T, I chat with Alice Hellard, Programme Lead for Design and Technology PGCE at Goldsmiths University, and Derek Jones, senior lecturer in sustainable design at the Open University. We talk about design studios a...
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Episode 174
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56:42
Rethinking the non-examined assessment (NEA): Time Well Spent in D&T?
In this thought-provoking episode of Talking D&T, I dive into the controversial topic of assessment in design and technology education, particularly focusing on the Non-Examined Assessment (NEA) at GCSE level in England. Drawing from my rec...
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Episode 173
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11:05
Shaping the Future of Design and Technology Education: An In-depth Conversation with Louise Attwood from AQA
Curious about how exam boards shape design and technology education? In this episode of Talking D&T, I sit down with Louise Attwood, Subject Support Lead for D&T at AQA. With eight years at the exam board and a background in teaching, L...
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Episode 172
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36:05
Textiles in D&T: Evolving Views and Vital Insights
In this episode of Talking D&T, I reflect on my recent conversation with Dawn, a textile specialist making significant contributions to design and technology education. I consider the insights gained from our engaging discussion about Dawn'...
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Episode 171
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10:35
Threading the Future: Dawn Foxall on Textiles Education in D&T
In this episode of Talking D&T, I chat with Dawn Foxall, founder of the Textile Skills Centre. Dawn's fascinating journey from knitwear designer to opera singer, and finally to textiles education advocate, sets the stage for our wide-rangin...
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36:41