Bridging the Gap: Connecting Craft, Design, and Technology in Schools with Nicky Dewar
In this episode of the Talking D&T podcast, I had the pleasure of interviewing Nicky Dewar, the Director of Learning and Skills at the Crafts Council. We discussed the importance of craft in design and technology education and the challenges faced by schools in incorporating hands-on making experiences for students.
Nicky shared her insights on how the craft element in both art and design and design technology has been slowly eroding over time. She emphasized the significance of engaging children and young people with materials, allowing them to understand how different materials react and how they can be used to tell stories or respond to challenges.
We also talked about the mental health benefits of craft and how it can help students feel calm and release feel-good hormones. Nicky highlighted the need for supporting teachers through specialist training and encouraging them to take advantage of the rich offerings available from organizations like the Crafts Council.
Throughout our conversation, Nicky stressed the importance of recognizing the value of craft in education and how it can make a significant difference in various aspects of life, from economic value to community well-being. She also shared details about the Crafts Council's initiatives, such as Craft School and Material World, which aim to inspire and support teachers in delivering engaging craft activities in their classrooms.
Links
- Craft School - a free programme for teachers which has CPD and resources around teaching craft in schools
- Instagram - @craftscouncil
- Material World - the current Craft School challenge in partnership with the Eden Project, focusing on sustainability and environmental responsibility (registration deadline for this year is February 14, 2024, but it will run again from September 2024 onwards)
Other links to things mentioned in the show are only available to subscribers
If you like the podcast, you can always buy me a coffee to say 'thanks!'
Please offer your feedback about the show or ideas for future episodes and topics by connecting with me on Threads @hardy_alison or by emailing me.
If you listen to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, please take a moment to rate and/or review the show.
If you want to support me by becoming a Patron click here.
If you are not able to support me financially, please consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts or sharing a link to my work on social media. Thank you!