Empowering D&T Teachers: Inside Wales' Curriculum Reform

Talking D&T

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In this episode of Talking D&T, I chat with Dr Bethan Gordon, Dean of Cardiff School of Art and Design at Cardiff Metropolitan University. Bethan, a human-centred designer by training, has been deeply involved in developing the new curriculum for Wales.
We dive into the fascinating world of curriculum reform, exploring how Wales is revolutionising its approach to education. Bethan shares insights on their focus on developing both the curriculum and the teachers themselves, introducing the concept of 'teachers as inquirers'.
Two key points really caught my attention: firstly, the emphasis on empowering teachers to critically examine their practice and make evidence-informed decisions. Secondly, the integration of design thinking into the science and technology area of learning, while also promoting creativity and problem-solving across all subjects.
For D&T teachers, this episode offers a treasure trove of ideas to reflect on. How might an inquiry-based approach enhance your teaching? Could the Welsh model of positioning D&T skills across the curriculum offer fresh perspectives for your school?
Whether you're teaching in England, Wales, or further afield, there's plenty here to ponder and discuss with colleagues. It's intriguing to see how different education systems are evolving, and I'm keen to hear your thoughts on how these ideas might shape the future of D&T education.
This conversation with Bethan certainly gave me food for thought about curriculum development and teacher empowerment. What aspects resonate with your experience? Let's keep this important dialogue going!
Acknowledgement:
Some of the supplementary content for this podcast episode was crafted with the assistance of Claude, an AI language model developed by Anthropic. While the core content is based on the actual conversation and my editorial direction, Claude helped in refining and structuring information to best serve listeners. This collaborative approach allows me to provide you with concise, informative, and engaging content to complement each episode.

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1. Empowering D&T Teachers: Inside Wales' Curriculum Reform (00:00:00)

2. Welsh Curriculum Transformation Through Inquiry" (00:00:54)

3. Empowering Teachers Through Reflective Inquiry (00:09:52)

4. The Evolution of Design Education (00:16:52)