The process diary: developing capability within national curriculum design and technology - some initial findings

The paper describes the background to and the initial development and trialing of a Process Diary for pupils working in design and technology within Key Stage 2 and Key Stage 3. This is seen as a medium through which a pupil records her/his experiences at the time they take place. This will help the teacher in reviewing and assessing capability demonstrated by those activities as well as informing summative assessment. Another role of the Process Diary, at least as impotent as this, is as a reflective medium. This will support a pupil in reflecting on her/his own experiences, and through that reflection moving on to future activities more effectively and appropriately. Schon's perspective of the reflective practitioner is considered to be a very powerful one, with reflection seen here as central to design and technology practice.