Teaching materials for exploring the
wider implications of design
Introductory video: Values in Design and the Quaduple Bottom Line

Values matter in design

  • Values underpin the choices that designers make when they create new products, services and systems.
  • This box provides resources to explore the values that lie behind designed things, and support the development of understanding the impact of these values on the world.
  • This box uses a tool called the 'Quadruple Bottom Line' to support learners in their exploration of design values, and in their exploration of design and technology and its impact on individuals, society, and the environment.
  • This box also provides a range of teaching materials, suitable for KS3 onwards, for educators to use in their work.

3 suggestions for using this box in teaching...

Analyse a Product

50
mins

This session introduces the quadruple bottom line as a tool to analyse the impact of existing products.

  • One 50 minute session
  • Supports students understanding designs impact on industry, enterprise, sustainability, people, culture, society and the environment.
  • Suitable for KS3+
  • Analysing the design of mobile phones
  • Looking at the impact mobiles phone have on the world
  • Include printable activity sheets
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Reconceptualise a Product

2
weeks

This session introduces a set of design values to support learners to conceptualise a design that minimises the impact of a product on the world.

  • For use across two or more teaching sessions
  • Fits with design projects learners are already engaged in
  • To support the critical evaluation of new and emerging technologies, from value-sensitive perspectives
  • Introduce students to alternative processes of product design and evaluation
  • Include printable activity sheets and case studies
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Design for change over time

1
term

This session supports learners in redesigning a common object with its entire lifecycle in mind, drawing on local resources.

  • For alongside a long project or term of work
  • With small project groups or teams
  • Encourage students to explore and think creatively about materials, stretching the development of innovative design proposals
  • Develop designs for the end of product lifecycles
  • Include printable activity sheets and case studies
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Download all materials

All activity sheets, guidance documents and other resources.
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Relevance to the UK National Curriculum

Key Stage 3

These materials have been designed based on England's 2014 revised national curriculum programmes of study for KS3 Design and Technology. Purpose of Study "Using creativity and imagination, pupils design and make products that solve real and relevant problems in a variety of contexts, considering their own and others needs, wants and values". Key Stage 3 "understand development in design and technology, its impact on individuals, society and the environment, and the responsibilities of designers, engineers and technologists.

GCSE

The design of the materials are based on the Design and Technology draft GCSE subject content (DfE 2015)

Subject aims and learning outcomes

"The study of design and technology seeks to prepare students to participate confidently and successfully in an increasingly technological world; and be aware of, and learn from, wider influences on design and technology, including historical, social/cultural, environmental and economic factors". "be ambitious and open to explore and take design risks in order to stretch the development of design proposals, avoiding cliched or stereotypical responses". "use key design and technology terminology including those related to: designing, innovation and communication; materials and technologies; making, manufacture and production; critiquing, values and ethics".

Technical knowledge and understanding

Students must also know and understand: "the impact on industry, enterprise, sustainability, people, culture, society and the environment of new and emerging technologies, production techniques and systems". "how the critical evaluation of new and emerging technologies, in contemporary and potential future scenarios, from different perspectives, such as ethics and the environment, informs design decisions". "that alternative processes can be used to manufacture products to different scales of production and require critical evaluation".