new and emerging technologies
4 detailed 50-minute lessons with teaching scripts, worked examples, parent guides, and assessment criteria.
Lesson Overview
Total Lessons: 4
Tier: Foundation and Higher
Duration: 50 minutes per lesson (200 minutes total)
Exam Boards: AQA, Edexcel, OCR, Eduqas, CCEA
Tier: Foundation and Higher
Duration: 50 minutes per lesson (200 minutes total)
Exam Boards: AQA, Edexcel, OCR, Eduqas, CCEA
Learning Objectives
- Explain the key ideas of new and emerging technologies
- Apply new and emerging technologies to exam-style questions
- Develop independent study skills
- Build cross-topic connections
Prerequisites
- Read the revision notes for new and emerging technologies first (GCSE Revise summary)
- Key vocab to pre-teach: D&T Exam Tips
- Basic skills: reading the summary notes and answering the practice questions there
Materials & Equipment
- Exercise book, coloured pens
- Ruler
- Printed revision notes (link below)
- Internet for videos (see Resources)
Lesson 1: Introduction: new and emerging technologies
Duration: 50 minutes
Starter Activity (5 minutes)
Quick Recall
Write down everything you already know about new and emerging technologies. Then check against the key terms: D&T Exam Tips. Use a mini-whiteboard or paper.
Main Content (35 minutes)
Parent/Teacher Guide:
Before lesson: Read the script below. Pre-teach key vocab: D&T Exam Tips.
If stuck: Re-read the revision notes (link above), then break the content into smaller steps.
Extension: See the Stretch & Challenge ideas in Lesson 4.
Before lesson: Read the script below. Pre-teach key vocab: D&T Exam Tips.
If stuck: Re-read the revision notes (link above), then break the content into smaller steps.
Extension: See the Stretch & Challenge ideas in Lesson 4.
Teaching Script (35 mins):
Mins 0-5 - Hook: "Today: new and emerging technologies. By the end you will be able to answer exam questions on it unaided. It connects to the rest of Design and Technology because the ideas here recur across the spec."
Mins 5-20 - Direct Instruction: Work through the core ideas below one at a time; after each, ask your student to explain it back in their own words.
Mins 20-30 - Guided Practice: Model the worked example together, then let your student attempt the first practice question with guidance.
Mins 30-35 - Independent Practice: 2-3 practice questions from Lesson 3 below, with immediate feedback.
Mins 0-5 - Hook: "Today: new and emerging technologies. By the end you will be able to answer exam questions on it unaided. It connects to the rest of Design and Technology because the ideas here recur across the spec."
Mins 5-20 - Direct Instruction: Work through the core ideas below one at a time; after each, ask your student to explain it back in their own words.
Mins 20-30 - Guided Practice: Model the worked example together, then let your student attempt the first practice question with guidance.
Mins 30-35 - Independent Practice: 2-3 practice questions from Lesson 3 below, with immediate feedback.
First Look
Start with the revision notes summary, then attempt: Explain how 3D printing has changed the prototype development process in product design.
Plenary (5 minutes)
Check Out
Your student states one thing they learned and one question they still have about new and emerging technologies.
Lesson 2: Core Concepts: new and emerging technologies
Duration: 50 minutes
Starter Activity (5 minutes)
Review Previous Lesson
Quick recap: write 3 key points from Lesson 1 on new and emerging technologies. Check them against the notes below.
Main Content (35 minutes)
Key Fact: Industry 4.0: the Fourth Industrial Revolution — cyber-physical systems, IoT, cloud computing and automation transforming manufacturing.
Key Fact: 3D printing (additive manufacturing): builds objects layer by layer from CAD models — rapid prototyping, custom medical implants, reduced waste.
Key Fact: Robotics: automated systems replacing repetitive tasks — increases consistency, reduces labour costs, raises ethical concerns about job losses.
Key Fact: Internet of Things (IoT): everyday objects connected to the internet — smart homes, wearable tech, data-driven design decisions.
Key Fact: Artificial Intelligence in design: generative design software explores thousands of solutions — optimises for weight, strength, material use.
D&T Exam Tips: When evaluating new technology, use the SEE framework: Social impacts (jobs, lifestyle), Economic impacts (cost, productivity), Environmental impacts (waste, energy). Always conclude with a justified recommendation.
| Term | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Automation/Cobots | Manufacturing | Dyson Malmesbury plant |
| 3D Printing | Rapid prototyping | Renishaw metal printers |
| IoT | Smart products | Hive smart thermostat |
| AI/Generative design | Design | Fusion 360 generative |
| CNC machining | Manufacturing | Haas Automation UK |
| Laser cutting | Manufacturing | UK school standard |
Practice (10 minutes)
Q: Explain how 3D printing has changed the prototype development process in product design.
Answer: 3D printing allows designers to create physical prototypes directly from CAD files in hours rather than weeks; it enables iterative testing, reduces material waste compared to subtractive methods, and allows complex geometries that CNC cannot produce.
Plenary (5 minutes)
Explain Back
Your student teaches the key points back to you without looking. Fill any gaps immediately.
Lesson 3: Application: new and emerging technologies
Duration: 50 minutes
Starter Activity (5 minutes)
Quick Recall
Recall the key terms: D&T Exam Tips. Define each in one sentence.
Main Content (35 minutes)
Parent/Teacher Guide: Let your student attempt each question alone first, then compare with the model answer. Award method marks for correct working even if the final answer is wrong.
Q1: Explain how 3D printing has changed the prototype development process in product design.
Answer: 3D printing allows designers to create physical prototypes directly from CAD files in hours rather than weeks; it enables iterative testing, reduces material waste compared to subtractive methods, and allows complex geometries that CNC cannot produce.
Q2: Discuss the social and economic impacts of increasing automation in manufacturing.
Answer: Positive: increased productivity, consistent quality, reduced hazardous work for humans. Negative: job displacement, skills gap, initial investment costs, dependence on technology. A balanced answer considers both sides with specific examples.
Q3: Evaluate how the Internet of Things could influence the design of a domestic kettle.
Answer: An IoT kettle could: be controlled remotely via smartphone, learn user habits for energy efficiency, alert users to limescale build-up via sensors, integrate with smart-home energy monitoring. Evaluation should weigh convenience against cost, privacy and reliability concerns.
Plenary (5 minutes)
Error Review
Review any questions answered incorrectly. Identify whether the error was knowledge, method, or reading the question.
Lesson 4: Exam Practice: new and emerging technologies
Duration: 50 minutes
Starter Activity (5 minutes)
Command Words
Review what these command words require: state (one point), describe (say what happens), explain (say why), compare (both sides), evaluate (judgement).
Main Content (35 minutes)
Extended Answer
Extended question: Full-Mark Response A company is considering replacing its traditional assembly line with robotic automation. Evaluate this decision, considering social, economic and environmental factors. <div class="
A grade 9 response will: define robotic automation and its capabilities; present social arguments (job losses vs new skilled roles, worker safety); economic arguments (high initial cost vs long-term savings, 24/7 operation, consistency); environmental arguments (energy use of robots vs human labour, reduced waste from errors); reach a justified conclusion considering the company's specific context — e.g. high-volume, precision manufacturing may justify automation whereas small-batch artisan production may not.
Exam Tips: Always link technology to a specific product or context — never write about technology in the abstract | Consider BOTH benefits AND drawbacks — exam questions often ask you to evaluate | Use precise terminology: 'additive manufacturing' not just '3D printing' for higher marks
Common Errors: Watch Out! Students often make mistakes here. Wrong: New technology is always better than traditional methods and will completely replace manual manufacturing. Correct: New technology complements traditional methods — 3D printing suits complex low-volume parts but injection moulding remains cheaper for mass production. Designers choose the most appropriate technology for the context.
Stretch & Challenge (Grade 8-9):
- Synoptic links: explain how new and emerging technologies connects to another Design and Technology topic you have studied
- Real-world: research one real-world use or example of new and emerging technologies
- Critical: "What are the limitations of the models used in new and emerging technologies?"
Plenary (5 minutes)
Assessment Criteria
- Got it: Confident explanation + correct worked examples
- Getting there: Main points OK, needs support with detail
- Not yet: Confused on key concepts - re-run Lesson 2
Homework & Consolidation
- Consolidation: Re-answer any Lesson 3 practice questions answered incorrectly (20 mins)
- Retrieval: Write flashcards for the key terms: D&T Exam Tips (10 mins)
- Exam practice: One past-paper question on new and emerging technologies from the board websites (15 mins)
- Extension: Explain new and emerging technologies to someone else in your own words (10 mins)