Iteration
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can use a variety of methods to develop my designs during my iterative journey.
Key learning points
- Feedback and evaluation can be used to inform iterations.
- Design requirements need to be considered when iterating ideas/designs.
- Design decisions are recorded throughout the iterative journey.
- A range of strategies can be used to develop ideas.
Keywords
Iterative - refining and improving
Design requirements - something which is needed or wanted to make a product successful
Design decisions - a deliberate choice to meet a requirement or solve a problem
Common misconception
Pupils often already know what they want to design and feel that their first prototype is the final solution that doesn't need further development.
The iterative journey transforms an idea into a successful product. Pupils should carefully explore, experiment, test, and develop ideas while keeping design requirements central to the process.
Teacher tip
Encourage pupils to get feedback from their real-life primary users/stakeholders. Reassure them that all iterative journeys will look very different, particularly at this point. Some will iterate by generating physical prototypes, whereas others will use CAD or other methods.
Content guidance
Risk assessment required - equipment
Risk assessment required - outdoor learning
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What does “iterative” mean in the design process?
Q2.What is design fixation?
Q3.What is a design strategy?
Q4.What is the purpose of using different design strategies?
Q5.Why is feedback important in design?
Q6.What should guide your decisions when iterating your design?
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.Designers often use to improve their ideas after testing.
Q2.Match the design activity to its purpose:
exploring initial ideas visually
testing how the product might work in 3D
using advice to plan improvements
building a working version of the idea
Q3.Put these actions in the correct order during an iterative design cycle:
Q4.To improve a product, designers use feedback and test ideas through the process.
To help you plan your 11 design and technology lesson on: Iteration, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 design and technology lesson on: Iteration, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 design and technology lessons from the Iterative Design Principles unit, dive into the full secondary design and technology curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.