Starting Points

This site uses the idea of 'starting points' for designing. The starting points have been chosen because they provide rich contexts in which there are many opportunities for pupils to design and make electronic products although there are also opportuntiies for designing other sorts of products. Each starting point can lead to a wide range of different design responses.

There are six starting points:

• playtime
• keeping in touch
• keeping secure
• staying safe
• thinking machines
• other worlds

The site provide different degrees of 'openness' for each starting point. The 'very open' starting points are visual brainstorms allowing the teacher and the class to explore the context for a wide range of possible briefs. The 'moderately open' starting points provide briefs that do not define the nature of the product to be designed and made. The 'closed' starting points provide briefs in which the nature of the product is defined.

You will be able to see examples of pupils work in response to the moderately open and closed briefs simply by clicking on the brief.

You can help provide examples of pupils work to these briefs by working with your local Digital Design and Technology programme Support Centre.  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it   for details of your local support centre.

Of course you can provide examples of pupils responses to other briefs and these will also be incorporated into the gallery of work on the website.