Interesting that you should mention Tech Drawing, Cliff.
Fifty years ago, I was just starting A-Levels in the Lower6th of my local Grammar School - that dates it for a start! - studying Maths, Phys. & Chem plus General Studies. We were initially annoyed that some of our 'free periods' and some of our GS (snoozes) lessons were taken off us and converted into TD lessons with the Art master
This was in response to the Staff Room moans he had received from the Heads of Science subjects who had complained that the standards of diagrams had gone downhill in Physics & Chem. In a few weeks he taught us the basics of TD - including use of rulers, stencils, etc. - and lettering/labelling. 'Light-bulb' moments!
Having to 'unteach' us the Art he had instilled in us in the previous 5 years must have broken his heart - but I think we all benefitted! I certainly did in my subsequent working life - "Give it to Greenie to sort - he's good with diagrams" - helped me move into a brief job as a Technical Author & illustrator - skills I used in my subsequent career phases.
The use of diagramming to get a clear point across is the sort of thing that is useful in lots of fields - but not taught in schools in any recognisable form nowadays.
The nearest my Grandson gets to it is in 'Graphics Design' - in which he manipulates standard bits of 'clip-art' around the screen to construct a picture that gets a pass-mark.
When he couldn't find a particular piece of clip-art he needed one day - he asked "Where does clip-art come from?" - his Mum and I had to explain! Luckily she is a Design Engineer and could teach him some of the TD skills needed to create his own 'diagram objects' - leading to a whole new level of 'Graphics Design' and understanding!
- Where 'Top-down' Design meets 'Bottom-up' Construction
As a BTW - a few years ago I was talking to a friend who was a Physics Teacher - and was told that pupils didn't know what Hookes Law was! - apparently they are currently told that there are NO Laws in Physics - there are principles and theories - a bit like "there are NO Rules - only guidelines!" on behaviour! mg:
Fifty years ago, I was just starting A-Levels in the Lower6th of my local Grammar School - that dates it for a start! - studying Maths, Phys. & Chem plus General Studies. We were initially annoyed that some of our 'free periods' and some of our GS (snoozes) lessons were taken off us and converted into TD lessons with the Art master
This was in response to the Staff Room moans he had received from the Heads of Science subjects who had complained that the standards of diagrams had gone downhill in Physics & Chem. In a few weeks he taught us the basics of TD - including use of rulers, stencils, etc. - and lettering/labelling. 'Light-bulb' moments!
Having to 'unteach' us the Art he had instilled in us in the previous 5 years must have broken his heart - but I think we all benefitted! I certainly did in my subsequent working life - "Give it to Greenie to sort - he's good with diagrams" - helped me move into a brief job as a Technical Author & illustrator - skills I used in my subsequent career phases.
The use of diagramming to get a clear point across is the sort of thing that is useful in lots of fields - but not taught in schools in any recognisable form nowadays.
The nearest my Grandson gets to it is in 'Graphics Design' - in which he manipulates standard bits of 'clip-art' around the screen to construct a picture that gets a pass-mark.
When he couldn't find a particular piece of clip-art he needed one day - he asked "Where does clip-art come from?"
- his Mum and I had to explain! Luckily she is a Design Engineer and could teach him some of the TD skills needed to create his own 'diagram objects' - leading to a whole new level of 'Graphics Design' and understanding! - Where 'Top-down' Design meets 'Bottom-up' Construction
As a BTW - a few years ago I was talking to a friend who was a Physics Teacher - and was told that pupils didn't know what Hookes Law was!
- apparently they are currently told that there are NO Laws in Physics - there are principles and theories - a bit like "there are NO Rules - only guidelines!" on behaviour! mg: