GCSE Design and Technology WJEC

This subject is broken down into 69 topics in 4 modules:

  1. Core Knowledge and Understanding 30 topics
  2. Engineering Design 10 topics
  3. Fashion and Textiles 14 topics
  4. Product Design 15 topics
Study this subject in the Adapt App →
  • 4
    modules
  • 69
    topics
  • 26,293
    words of revision content
  • 3+
    hours of audio lessons

This page was last modified on 28 September 2024.

A preview of GCSE Design and Technology WJEC in the Adapt app

Adapt is a revision planning app with full content coverage and unlimited past paper questions for 1,200+ GCSE and A Level subjects.

Study this subject in the Adapt app →

Design and Technology

Core Knowledge and Understanding

Impact of New and Emerging Technologies on Industry and Enterprise

🤓 Study

📖 Quiz

Play audio lesson

Impact of New and Emerging Technologies on Industry and Enterprise

Effects of New and Emerging Technologies on Industries

  • Technological advancements have previously led, and continue to lead to, significant transformations in various industries, including manufacturing, agriculture, electronics, among others.
  • Automation and robotics help in the improvement of efficiency and accuracy in production processes. Tasks that were once performed by human labour can now be completed more quickly and accurately.
  • Advanced communication technologies can streamline and improve business interactions and transactions both internally and externally.
  • The adoption of 3D printing technology has revolutionized product design, prototyping and manufacturing.

Technological Advancements in Enterprise

  • Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has greatly enhanced information access, knowledge sharing, marketing, selling and customer service within businesses.
  • Today's virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) technologies have provided new ways for enterprises to enhance customer experience.
  • The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) in enterprises helps in customer segmentation, sales forecasting and automation of tasks, greatly increasing efficiency.
  • The adoption of cloud computing provides the opportunity for businesses to store and process large amounts of data at a relatively low cost.

Importance of Adapting to Technological Change

  • Failure to adapt to new and emerging technologies can make a business outdated and unable to compete in the current market landscape.
  • Training and skills development are vital to ensure that employees are equipped to work with these new technologies.
  • Proactive adaptation to technological change can lead to gaining competitive advantage and staying ahead of industry trends.

Ethical and Environmental Considerations

  • New and emerging technologies also raise ethical issues, where companies must navigate the balance between using these technologies and respecting privacy and individual rights.
  • Sustainability is an important consideration in adapting to new technologies. Businesses must consider the environmental impact of these technologies and strive to minimize any negative effects.
  • The manufacturing, use, and disposal of electronic products and other goods often associated with these technologies can lead to electronic waste (e-waste). Responsible ways to manage e-waste are necessary to reduce its environmental impact.

Course material for Design and Technology, module Core Knowledge and Understanding, topic Impact of New and Emerging Technologies on Industry and Enterprise

Design and Technology

Engineering Design

Sources, Origins, Phyiscal and Working Properties of Materials, Components and Systems

🤓 Study

📖 Quiz

Play audio lesson

Sources, Origins, Phyiscal and Working Properties of Materials, Components and Systems

Sources and Origins of Materials

  • Materials come from a variety of sources, each with its own properties, benefits, and drawbacks.
  • Natural materials, like wood and wool, are derived directly from plants and animals.
  • Synthetic materials, such as plastics and artificial fibres, are human-made, often created by modifying natural substances.
  • Metals are typically extracted from ore, a naturally occurring solid material. The ore is heated in a furnace to obtain the metal.
  • Often materials can be recycled to reduce wastage and environmental impact. Metals, glass, and many types of plastic can be reheated and reshaped.
  • The process of obtaining materials can be energy-intensive and can often have a substantial impact on the environment, making sustainable sourcing a pivotal consideration in design.

Physical Properties of Materials

  • Physical properties describe how a material reacts to forces, light, heat, and other physical phenomena.
  • Density is a measure of the mass of a material per unit volume. It can inform selection for applications where weight is a factor.
  • Boiling and melting points determine how a material will respond to heat. For instance, metals generally have high melting points, making them suitable for settings with significant heat exposure.
  • The colour, texture, and aesthetic qualities of materials must also be considered in design, particularly in product or housing design where visual appeal is significant.
  • Some materials can withstand many stress cycles or large deformations without breaking, a property known as ductility. Materials high in ductility, like some metals, can be used in applications requiring plastic deformation.

Working Properties of Materials

  • Working properties refer to how a material responds to the process of being worked or manipulated.
  • Workability determines how easily a material can be modified into a different shape. For example, many metals can be hammered or rolled into thin sheets.
  • Machinability describes how a material reacts to being cut or shaped by a machine. Good machinability means the material can be cut easily and cleanly.
  • Materials must also be able to withstand the forces that will be applied to them in their final form. This is called strength.
  • Some materials may change properties when subjected to different conditions, like extremes of temperature or pressure. Understanding how these changes affect the material is essential in engineering design.

Components and Systems

  • A component is a single item that is part of a product, like a screw or a wheel.
  • A system is a group of components that work together to perform a specific function in the product, like a bike's braking system.
  • Components can also be classified as standard or specialised. Standard components are widely available and can fit into multiple products or systems, whereas specialised components are designed for one specific product or system.
  • Complex systems can be subdivided into subsystems to simplify analysis and design processes.
  • All components and systems will have limits of operation, which must be strictly adhered to in order to avoid system failure.

Course material for Design and Technology, module Engineering Design, topic Sources, Origins, Phyiscal and Working Properties of Materials, Components and Systems

Can I trust Adapt’s expertise?

Adapt is already used by over 600,000 students and trusted by over 3,000 schools. Our exam-specific content and assessments are meticulously crafted by expert teachers and examiners.

Find out more about the Adapt app →

Planner

An always up-to-date revision timetable.

A personalised, flexible revision timetable that stays up-to-date automatically.

Content

All the exam resources, in one place.

Over 20,000 topics broken down into manageable lessons with teacher-written, exam-specific lessons.

Assessment

Past-paper questions, with instant feedback.

Unlimited past paper questions with instant examiner feedback on how to improve.

Progress

Track progress, together.

Progress tracking to stay motivated, with real-time updates to the Parent Portal.

Download the app today to start revising for free.