The Digital Design and Technology Programme, which grows out of and builds on the two major curriculum development projects, CAD/CAM in Schools and the Electronics in Schools Strategy,(EiSS) aims to develop a coherent support programme for teachers involved with CAD/CAM and ECT which reflects the changing requirements of both the curriculum at Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4 and the STEM Agenda.

This support is offered through:

1. regional support centres
2. training
3. curriculum frameworks

Regional support centres
The support centres play a key role in the Digital D&T Programme. They are responsible for providing training and technical support to schools within their region dependent on local demand.

The range of training previously provided has included regional update sessions and planning activities, subject development workshops and school based competitions.
Further details about all the Digital D7T centre can be found by visiting the Design and Technology Association’s website at www.data.org.uk . As denoted, on that site, some centres focus on electronics, others on CAD/CAM and some offer both. For further information about the training available, and to join the mailing list of a local support centre, please contact them using the details supplied on that website. Within the East Midlands we have three Digital D&T centres which are located at The Vale of Anchlome College in Brigg, Ideas In2 Action Design Consultancy near Metheringham and at Nottingham Trent University. For details of these three centres please click on the individual centre logos at the bottom of the home page.

CAD/CAM Training
In addition to the training opportunities offered by the support centres, courses continue to be run by regional accredited trainers, and are advertised on the dedicated CAD in Schools and Electronics in Schools
websites.

The courses available include:

• Pro/DESKTOP
• ArtCAM
• Speed Step
• Pro/ENGINEER

Further information about the above software and relevant training opportunities are available on the dedicated CAD in Schools website www.cadinschools.org

EiSS Training

• ECT courses – Starting out in Electronics/Taking Things Further
• CAD/CAM and ECT integrated courses *

The ECT/EiSS courses are funded by the Institute of Engineering and Technology (IET), and all meet the IET training quality standard. *These courses, also funded by the IET, will start to be advertised and run in the spring term 2009. Details of these courses are advertised on the dedicated Electronics in Schools website www.electronicsinschools.org

3D Printing Rapid Prototyping
In addition, funding from the Training and Development Agency has enabled provision of nine Dimension BST 768 machines which means that nine of the support centres, one per government region, have ownership of this state-of-the-art machinery. This equipment means that they can provide 3D printing
capability to promote the development of innovative, high quality activities to enhance the secondary design and technology curriculum. These centres offer a range of additional training opportunities to maximise the use of the printers across the region.

Curriculum frameworks
The CAD/CAM and ECT curriculum frameworks have been developed to provide guidance to those involved in teaching CAD/CAM and ECT. The material available is designed to support those who are new to the subject as well as those with experience who might be looking to develop new activities within the classroom. The frameworks are designed to assist teachers in planning schemes and units of work and in planning and delivering courses, providing different starting points for a range of topic ideas. The CAD/CAM curriculum framework is complete and can be accessed through www.cadcamcurriculum.org
The ECT curriculum framework will be available early in 2009.

Programme supporters:

A more comprehensive overview of the programme will be found by viewing the powerpoint presentation.