Course Objectives

In this specialisation course students will develop their knowledge, experience, and their creative and problem solving skills. They will increase their understanding and experience of issues in which human needs, appropriate technology, learning, culture, environment and society play a key role. In addition, students will develop an awareness regarding the opportunities this specialist subject provides in working with technology, materials, function and communication.

Design and Technology focuses on practical problem solving in the use of materials, in a continuous process from idea to product. Through the study of design methodology and subject theory, students will acquire a basic understanding of methodical thinking enabling them to explore and develop their ideas through analysis, visualisation, documentation, cognitive communication and physical action.

Students will:

• learn to identify actual fields for relevant problem solving.
• develop their knowledge regarding the relation between the characteristics of materials and physical laws in specific problem areas.
• develop their knowledge and skills in handling visual, material, functional and technological aspects and qualities.
• develop their experience and skills related to the working with materials, tools and techniques within the subject area.
• develop their knowledge of design and technology and their ability to work between the traditional and contemporary in their area of specialisation.
• become acquainted with and experience methods used to develop ideas, design, products and technology.
• acquire knowledge and experience of subject and pedagogical development activities.

Target area 1: Problem solving and product development

This target area includes practical and theoretical work related to identifying a problem, finding strategies for solutions, idea development, and production of products, model or prototype.

Students will:

• learn to analyse their own and others’ solutions, and use technology in the field of product development and design. They will learn to assess, choose and apply materials based on their knowledge related to the areas of use and the characteristics of the materials.
• learn and apply the relevant basic skills in the following fields: physics, mathematics, society, economy and environment.
• be able to apply traditional and contemporary technology in a critical and evaluative manner, and use this as a basis for solving problems in relation to their own work.
• select and use construction and working methods on the basis of a general assessment of an idea, function and design.
• learn to use form and proportion and show an ability to work with dimensions.
• acquire the ability to build on prior experience and knowledge, and to enlarge their repertoire through their own work.
• gain mastery of working techniques and safety rules regarding the use of various machine tools.
• learn to explain the relationship between materials, tools, techniques and the desired function and expression of form; and reflect on and explain how their own and the work of others functions visually and physically in the context it is intended to be used in.
• reflect on and make choices regarding the social aspects of design, production and the use of technology, in relation to the impact the use of resources has on the environment.

Target area 2: Research methodology and research development activities

Students will gain knowledge and experience related to basic methodology and approaches for acquiring, developing and analysing knowledge.

Students will:

• learn to draft and define problem approaches, use source material, present and evaluate results.
• learn to give an account of the most appropriate methodology and approaches for acquiring subject-related knowledge.
• use research literature, databases, informants and other sources.
• learn to identify opportunities for renewal, and learn to combine various methodologies within research and development on the basis of the special characteristics of the subject.

Course Description

Design and technology holds an important place in today’s society. The course will meet the need for pedagogical and disciplinary competence in which the development of ideas, technological insight and problem solving take place within a practical and aesthetic framework. The course is limited to design development and specific products/solutions aimed at various user-groups. The choice of learning material and problem approaches in the course are characterised by an environmental and social perspective, in which entrepreneurship in cooperation with schools, business and industry provides a practical framework.

By alternating theory and practice, students will develop their ability to make decisions and defend professional practices. On this basis, the course will provide a background for improvement and an awareness of the potential and values of the subject in relation to the individual, schools and society. Knowledge, skills and familiarity with creative and problem-solving processes and aesthetic, functional, communicative and craft-related qualities are central elements of the course.

Course unit 1: Static Structures/Product Area

This course unit consists of work with assignments aimed at identifying and/or solving problems related to structures and products that are wholly or mainly static.

Course unit 2: Mobile Structures/Product Area

Work on this course unit will to some extent build further on certain elements of course unit 1, and involves work with problem approaches related to structures/products which are completely or mainly mobile.

The main goal of course units 1 and 2 are to provide the students with basic competence so they can work independently on the final project. The two course units structure the subject field and make possible the choice of fundamental different problem approaches. The separation into two parts may also inform or help explain overlapping areas. The work with the course units will require both the ability to identify and develop one’s own problem approaches and areas, and to discover needs for greater or smaller improvements of existing products; or map the needs and develop ideas in areas which lack solutions for covering these needs.

The work will consist of acquiring an understanding for both problem approaches identified by the student, and those given, through analysis, description and presentation for others. In the working processes, students will investigate relevant problem areas/fields, so that they can describe which level they wish to solve the problem with reference to the degree of difficulty; they will choose the appropriate technology, materials and identify needs for specific knowledge of for instance: conditions in society, environmental factors and various subject areas such as mathematics and physics, which will contribute to the solution of the problem which has been chosen.

Each course unit may consist of several assignments. The assignments will involve both individual work and participation in project groups of varying sizes, in which the working methods aim at making students aware of the importance of their own and others contributions to the process of reaching a solution. Students will gain knowledge and experience of the use of design methods and various techniques for visualisation such as drawing, digital photography, CAD programmes, FEA and rapid prototyping. Work with user understanding and the forming of solutions on the basis of user-surveys is a relevant problem approach in preparation or continuation with work concerning product development or problem solution.

The importance of the structure’s/product’s visual appearance will be considered through work on two-dimensional and three-dimensional forms and other aspects such as surface quality and colour.

In those cases where the student’s solutions in the specialisation course presuppose a specification of materials and/or techniques which cannot be used in the university college’s workshops or with the technology that is accessible at the university college, there will be the opportunity of completing assignments at advanced model or prototype level, or in cooperation with industrial or other concerns. The student will be responsible for making contact with cooperative partners after this has been approved by the subject teachers.

Learning Methods

The course is divided into two course units, a period of teaching practice and an assessment part that includes an individual written examination and a final project. The subject material of each of the three target areas is included in all parts of the course.

Course units:

Static Structures/Product Area 20 ECTS

Mobile Structures/Product Area 20 ECTS

The course units are independent units that cover specific areas of the course. Together the course units will prepare and equip students to work independently on their final projects for which they will choose a theme; the project counts for 20 ECTS.

Subject theory and subjects didactics counts for 15 ECTS, and is integrated in all parts of the course; the level and content is evident from the syllabus literature. Working and experimenting with the course material and ideas will form an important part of the students’ pedagogical practice. Students will gain basic knowledge of research and development methodology and employ this knowledge when writing their final reports.

The course consists of the following elements:

• Static structures/product area
• Mobile structures/product area
• Teaching practice (3 weeks)
• Individual written assignment (1 week)
• Final project (up to 12 weeks)

Teacher-supervised instruction runs parallel with exercise-solving and comprises an introduction to practical working methods, lectures in the subject theory, subject didactics and research methodology. The teaching will include demonstrations, practical exercises, guided training of skills, lectures, discussions and debates. It also includes individual and group supervision in addition to class lectures.

The interaction between creative work, theory and reflection is an important element of the subject. Students will gain a deeper and more detailed understanding of the subject and a broader perspective of their own creative and problem solving activities. The course will also include visits to industrial locations and exhibitions. There may also be the possibility of short excursions.

Individual work at the workshops in combination with the theoretical part of the course represents a major part of the course. Teamwork in the projects and assignments promotes the development of ideas in teams, and represents an important study method in one of the course units. Participation in debates and discussions about subject related issues in minor seminars, and through common exhibitions and dissemination projects, constitutes an important means of gaining insight into the subject.

During the course, students will be expected to work independently, as well as in groups. Students are expected to spend a minimum of 37.5 hours per week working on their studies. They will be supervised by their teachers about half of this time.

Parts of the course require obligatory attendance; information regarding this may be found in the year plan/semester plan/period plan.

Joint theory

Some of the subject material may be considered common for all of the specialised courses. This will be mediated largely though seminars/lectures for the BA programme, Visual Arts and Design, and also partly through material in the programme, Subject Teacher: Education in the Arts. The subject material that is presented in these joint seminars may vary from year to year; consult the course reading list.

Other activities

In addition, there will be obligatory ‘vocational days’ (fagdager), scheduled activities such as ‘Open Door’ and possibly other course-related outside activities. Through such activities students will gain experience in meeting the public and mediating topical material though exhibits and oral and audio-visual demonstrations.

Practical experience

The course also includes three weeks of work experience in a workshop, company or other approved placement. This is a nationwide course so the practical training may be completed at a location outside the university college’s immediate geographic area. The practice period may also be carried out in connection with pupils’ enterprises (elevbedrifter) at various levels or be part of a final project. In addition to the ordinary assignments carried out at the work experience location, students will, in consultation with the teacher, plan, implement and evaluate assignments, as well as fulfil the requirements for documentation.

Practice reports must be submitted one week after the practice period is completed. Both the practice work and the report form the basis for the assessment of the practice period. Information regarding “work experience in businesses” may be accessed on the college’s web pages.

The student is not awarded credits for the period of practical experience, but it must be completed and approved before the student can sign up for the exam and before a diploma can be issued.

“Business” in this context refers to an industrial or crafts business, workshop, public or private gallery or other type of activity which will provide the relevant practice for students of art and design and arts and handicrafts. It is a requirement that the business in question should be registered with the Bronnøysundregister and have its own number.

If the student wishes to try out what it is like teaching in their field, this may present an opportunity. The student may then make a choice of which type school he or she wants to teach in, the options in this case being either lower secondary school or folk high school. If the application is accepted, the student is dependent on at least two other students choosing the same type of school. There is also the possibility that the student may join students from other classes that have the teaching practice at the same time. The students should then cooperate with each other and the mentor in planning, implementing and evaluating teaching sessions. If the student on completing the Bachelor’s programme chooses to take a 60 ECTS Teacher Education Programme (PPU), then he/she may apply to have the period of teaching practice approved as part of the required PPU teaching practice.

Student Council

Students will be expected to choose their own Student Council consisting of 2-3 students who function as intermediaries between the teaching team and the class. When appropriate, the Student Council may participate in team meetings in order to discuss matters related to the planning of class activities. Students will also choose the representative for the course committee for joint lectures. The Student Council and the Course Committee for joint theory should have at least one meeting per semester. The class leader is responsible for ensuring that representatives are appointed, and he/she will summon the first meeting. Minutes from these meetings will be recorded. These will be submitted to the Coordinator for Studies and the Head of the Department.

Assessment Methods

There should be a relation between the aims, content, teaching and learning methods and assessment of the course. The assessment will form an important part of the actual learning, and act as a means of allowing the individual student to both develop understanding of the aims of the course and to acquire insight into their own suitability for the teaching profession.

Reviewing and assessing teaching and learning methods, sketches, rough drafts, models and products, together with subject-didactic reflection will reveal the students’ contributions and progression in the course, and provide insight into, and awareness of, their professional advancement and learning. The assessment is also intended as an aid to the individual student in the form of supervision. The supervision concerns for instance, processes and results, and students’ ability to work together.

Both students and the teachers must participate in the course assessment with the aim of further developing the course and preparing students for future work. Therefore, the assessment must also include the content and organisation of the course, the student’s own work, and teaching and learning methods through the entire year.

Assignments must be submitted at the appointed times, and will be evaluated on a pass/fail basis. All elements of the assignments must receive passing grades in order for the student to achieve a passing grade for the course unit. The teaching team is responsible for the assessment. Students must submit all individual assignments at the appointed times and receive passing marks before being allowed to take the examination. Students are responsible for orienting themselves about the assignment requirements and deadlines. This should be viewed in connection with the rights and responsibilities the student has according to the examination regulations at the university college; please refer to the Act Relating to Universities and University Colleges § 40.

The joint theory lectures represent a “passing point”, which requires 80% attendance. Students who do not meet the attendance requirement must write a written assignment on the basis of course literature and course compendiums. The assignment must be approved before the student may be allowed to sit the examination.

The course units will be assessed as pass/fail.

Examination:

Individual written examination; 5-day home assignment

The student will write an assignment based on a given theme. The teaching team is responsible for selecting the theme, which will be of a subject-theoretical/subject-didactic nature. There are specific requirements related to organisation, structure and the student’s ability to relate the subject material to the theme. The written assignment should include a maximum of 10 pages, using 12-point font and 1.5 line spacing.

Final project 20 ECTS

The project is an independent study which integrates all the subject material from the course. The final project has a mandatory requirement for supervision, and students are responsible for contacting the subject teacher and arranging for supervision. In the final work, particular stress is placed on creative work, theoretical background and the ability to analyse and organise one’s work with the materials. Specific demands are made for the final project with respect to structure and use of elementary scientific methods.

The project may be carried out on an independent basis or in cooperation with industry or business or other relevant environment. It is the student’s responsibility to establish contact. There is also the possibility of carrying out the practice period in conjunction with the project where this is appropriate with regard to the type of project. The goal is to allow the student to gain experience in executing independent professional work with a research aspect, which will provide an opportunity to specialise in one or several aspects of the subject.

The result will consist of practical creative work in materials, thorough documentation including a written report fulfilling the normal requirements for report writing and/or a digital presentation, and a comprehensive presentation of the project. Students will, in addition, organise their own syllabus literature related to the project, which should include about 200 pages on subjects associated with documentation in the report.

The final project will lead to an exhibition presentation in which the student will present his/her work.

Weighting
Individual written examination, 5-day home examination	20%
Final project	80%

On the diploma, the title of the final project will be entered. A letter grade will be given, on a scale from A to F, where A is the highest possible grade, and E is the lowest passing grade. Both parts of the examination must receive passing marks before the examination is considered passed. The teaching practice period must be given a passing grade in order to receive a diploma.

Please refer to Telemark University College Examination Regulations for further information.

Minor adjustments may occur during the academic year, subject to the decision of the Dean