Technical

Technical Department Courses

The Technical Department Course in S1 and S2

From S1 until the end of S2, all pupils will experience a broad general education where they will work across the experiences and outcomes of Curriculum for Excellence.

In S1, pupils will attend the Technical Department for one period per week, and S2 will see pupils taking two periods of the subject every week.

In S1, pupils will cover a broad range of work including sketching and rendering; introduction to the design process and the manufacture of an Iphone loud speaker, a wooden toy car, and a metal key fob. Time is also spent using ICT to produce a 3D computer model and desk top publishing. This session sees the introduction of a rocket powered car project as part of a STEM / IDL unit.

In S2, pupils build on the experiences gained in S1 and are exposed to deeper learning within the technologies area. Pupils will cover various units of work including further study on Graphic communication, 3D CAD, 3D printing, designing and manufacturing. This session will introduce a unit on recycling as part of our woodwork course.

In S3, pupils are given the opportunity to choose which of the three Technologies pathways they wish to specialise in. Courses in S3 will deliver experiences and outcomes in line with updated benchmarks, which will prepare pupils for appropriate National Qualifications in S4.

There are three distinct pathways in S3, each of which builds towards the appropriate qualification(s) in S4.

Practical Craft Skills covers wood and metal and provides pupils with the opportunity to manufacture a range of items based on working drawings. This is a predominantly a workshop based course. Throughout third year pupils will cover work from the mainly practical areas of Craftwork.

Manufacturing wooden and metal items from working drawings. Cutting and shaping of materials. Basic woodworking and/or metalworking tasks. Applying appropriate finishes to wooden or metal items.

Graphic Communication

Pupils taking Graphic Communication into S3 cover two main topics

2D Graphic Communication 3D and Pictorial Graphic Communication

Pupils will produce and interpret simple 2D sketches and drawings. Produce preliminary 2D colour designs and illustrations for single-page promotional displays .Create simple 2D promotional graphic layouts. Produce and interpret simple pictorial sketches, pictorial drawings and 3D models. Produce simple pictorial and 3D colour illustrations Create simple pictorial or 3D promotional displays.

Design and Manufacture provides a broad coverage of design, manufacture, 3D modelling and CAD. This course is both classroom and workshop based. Throughout third year pupils will cover work that covers the design process, communication and development of design ideas and the realisation of these design ideas by the manufacture of the products.
Pupils will be working on Experiences and Outcomes at Second, Third or Fourth Level. Together, the courses above build towards qualifications in Design and Manufacture, Graphic Communication or Practical Woodworking at National 4 and National 5 in S4.

Courses in S4, S5 and S6

In the senior phase, pupils work on courses that lead towards National Qualifications at the end of S4, S5 and S6.

National Qualifications that will be offered by the CDT department are:

Design and Manufacture: provides a broad practical introduction to design, materials and manufacturing processes. It provides the ability to read drawings and diagrams, the ability to discuss and communicate design ideas and practical details, the ability to create practical solutions to design problems, and the ability to manufacture design ideas. There is a strong focus on properties and uses of materials in the manufacturing of models and prototypes of products. The course combines creativity and designing with a focus on a product's function, performance and appearance. 3D modelling takes place both in the workshop and using CAD software. All of this takes place with a focus on technologies, and how they can affect our environment and society.

Graphic Communication provides opportunities for learners to gain skills in reading, interpreting and creating graphic communications, and builds on the Desktop Publishing, CAD and graphics units covered in the B.G.E. stage. Learners will develop and communicate ideas graphically. They will develop spatial awareness and visual literacy. The course combines various aspects of graphic communication from manual sketches to 3D computer generated models and from manually rendered graphics to 3D computer generated rendering.

Practical Woodwork will focus on the development of practical skills. They provide opportunities to gain practical craft skills in the use of a range of tools, equipment and materials, working with wood, manufactured boards and/or metals. They follow a series of activities through to the completion of a finished item. The courses provide opportunities to develop and enhance practical creativity and practical problem solving skills, and to gain an appreciation of safe working practices in a workshop or similar environment. These courses, whilst workshop based, will also cover theory to prepare learners for a final exam.

In S4, pupils can choose to take courses in the T department. Each course takes four periods per week.

Courses currently offered in the Technical Department in S4 lead to awards in:

• Design and Manufacture at National 4 and National 5 levels.
• Graphic Communication at National 4 and National 5 levels.
• Practical Woodworking at National 4.

In S5 and S6, pupils can choose to take courses in the Technical department. Each course takes six periods per week.

Courses currently offered in the Department in S5 & S6 lead to awards in:

Practical Woodworking at National 5 level. This course is of a practical nature; workshop based and provides many skills which are appropriate to a wide range of applications. Pupils will develop their tool skills, hand skills, and machine skills as well as an understanding of how to read working drawings for manufacture. This course is well suited to any pupil looking to move into trade based employment or training (joinery, building, plumbing...)

Graphic Communication at Higher level. This course aims to help pupils to develop skills in the use of a range of graphic materials and techniques, develop the ability to use manual and computer graphics to communicate ideas and to develop the ability to read and interpret drawings and graphically presented information.

Design and Manufacture at Higher level. The focus of this course is on well-designed products for the market place produced by the use of the commercial design and industrial manufacture processes. Pupils are given the opportunity to explore the impact of design and technology on everyday living. Using the design process, pupils will creatively identify and develop new products for design.