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Design and technology as a subject has recently become very popular in Great Britain, Finland and other countries. In short words this is an integrated subject where students have to express creativity and then realize in practice. In itself there is nothing new, our forefathers’ tools to accomplish farm work were also a kind of creativity expression realized in practice. More innovative perhaps are the means used by students – computer and special design software. The student has to draw a 3-dimensional image using CAD-software and with the help of the computer utilize milling machine to produce the designed objects, transforming the design to a real object made of wood, plastic or aluminum. If the student masters the necessary skills, the student is capable of producing any smaller object – round, angular or special shape. All this enables transforming occupational studies (computer class, art lessons) much more attractive and develop students’ creativity using means of technology.
Unfortunately Estonian schools lack this kind of subject. This does not mean that the schools lack creativity or creative activities. But the activities take place separately and more often at the art classes. Practical activities take place at the occupational or crafts classes, depending on possibilities. The aim of Tiger Leap Foundation and Estonian occupational and technology trend orientated interest groups is to integrate these subjects and break the thinking as if one subject has to be pure art and the other hammering nails to the wall. Additionally, the objective is to find more practical utilization for school computer classes which today fulfill the task of learning Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
CNC project in Estonian schools
http://zope.eenet.ee/cnc
In the beginning of 2005 the Tiger Leap Foundation announced a tender with an aim to purchase CNC milling machine and design software that enables to design 3-dimensional objects to at least one school from every bigger county. The winner of this tender was private limited company Jukotec, official representative of a German machine tool company Kosy in Estonia. Vendor for design software is private limited company ProStep and for software Solid Edge. Design software tender is covered with a clause that every Estonian school can achieve it free of charge for educational purposes use.
As a result of a competition announced by the Tiger Leap Foundation 21 schools were chosen in cooperation with Tallinn University Occupational and technology studies department to participate in the pilot project.
The selection of schools regarded regional principle, central location inside the county, size of school and readiness to participate in the pilot project. The latter principle considered existence of qualified teachers mainly. Selection of vocational schools participating in the project was done on consideration that they will form a basis to surrounding schools of general education.
CAD-type software and computer connected machine tools at schools creates good premises for progeny of skilled workers and specialists. Most of the design work today is done with computers, either designing of appliances, communications or architectural technical solutions. Many students today discontinue studies because of lacked success in theoretical subjects; hopefully the attractive practical subjects help to balance this negative tendency.
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