If you think teachers don’t get enough recognition for their work, here’s your chance to do something about it. Nominations are being invited for the 2005 Design and Technology Association Awards, which put the spotlight on DT staff who bring professionalism, enthusiasm and commitment to the subject.
A wide range of DT staff can be nominated in the six categories - from NQTs to long-established teachers, lecturers to curriculum advisers, teacher trainers to suppliers. Teachers can be nominated in five of the six categories, as subject leaders, outstanding newcomers, or long-standing practitioners.
Of all the accolades the highest is the Outstanding Contribution to Design and Technology Education Award. A further prize will be given to a teacher by the designer and entrepreneur James Dyson, who picks the winner. To nominate a colleague you must be a DATA member, but your nominee does not have to be. Nominations must be accompanied by 200 words to explain why you believe the person deserves the award, plus a separate reference. The closing date is February 4 2005. More details and a downloadable nomination form are available on the Association website (see below).
“The re-designed website is structured to make it easier for visitors to access the information they need,” says DATA chief executive Jenny Jupe.
“We have broken it down by phase and focus in various areas and added new information within each section.”
Visitors to the site will find it clearly marked and colour-coded.
Curriculum areas offer examples of good practice at all levels as well as targeted information at various curriculum stages. New sections have been added to offer details of DATA publications and training events. A new members’ area includes free downloadable resources, topical information, support for schemes of work, and case studies. Members will also find useful a new FAQ section as well as a comprehensive list of useful links broken down into focus areas such as electronic, food and textiles, and a calendar on the home page will keep DT staff up to date with professional development events.
Primary DT teachers should also keep a look-out for a new title that will be launched by the association on November 18, called Applying ICT in Design and Technology at Key Stages 1 and 2. This is part of a series that links literacy, numeracy, and now ICT to design and technology in the primary curriculum. The new guide (pound;14 for members; pound;18 for non-members) is designed to help primary schools to enhance teaching and learning in DT through effective use of ICT. Details of the new publication and teacher awards can be found on DATA’s website l www.data.org.uk
