| Lesson Plan |
| Grade: |
Date: 25/02/2026 |
| Subject: Design and Technology |
| Lesson Topic: The impact of the following emerging technologies on designing and making: rapid prototyping, including 3D printing, rapid manufacture, robotics, artificial intelligence (AI), virtual reality (VR). |
Learning Objective/s:
- Describe how rapid prototyping, rapid manufacture, robotics, AI and VR influence product design and manufacturing.
- Explain the key benefits and limitations of each emerging technology.
- Analyse a case study to match an appropriate technology to specific design requirements.
- Evaluate ethical and sustainability considerations when adopting these technologies.
- Apply a decision‑matrix to select the most suitable technology for a given design brief.
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Materials Needed:
- Projector and screen
- Laptop with internet access
- Printed handouts summarising each technology
- Sample 3‑D printed part (or high‑resolution images)
- Whiteboard and markers
- Worksheets for decision‑matrix activity
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Introduction:
Show a 30‑second video of a designer iterating a prototype in VR to hook interest. Ask students which tools they think enabled the rapid changes and link to prior learning about CAD and traditional manufacturing. Success criteria: students will compare emerging technologies and justify their use in a design solution.
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Lesson Structure:
- Do‑now (5’) – Quick quiz on traditional vs. rapid manufacturing methods.
- Mini‑lecture (10’) – Overview of rapid prototyping, rapid manufacture, robotics, AI and VR with slides and sample part.
- Group activity (15’) – Teams analyse the comparative impact table and complete a decision‑matrix worksheet for a given product brief.
- Technology showcase (10’) – Short video clips: 3‑D printer in action, robotic arm, AI generative design screenshot, VR headset walkthrough.
- Class discussion (10’) – Groups present their technology choices; teacher facilitates critique focusing on design and manufacturing impact.
- Formative check (5’) – Exit ticket: one sentence stating which technology would most improve their own design project and why.
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Conclusion:
Recap how each technology can accelerate iteration, reduce waste and enhance precision. Collect exit tickets and ask students to reflect on the next steps for integrating their chosen technology into their project. Homework: research a real‑world example of one technology and prepare a brief summary to share next lesson.
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