Chapter 2. Organizing Information using Moodle Modules

In Design Technology, perhaps more than any other subject in educational settings, students need to be very aware of their market. Whether they are designing a product, or trialing a new recipe in Food Technology, the clear purpose for this activity is the possibility of some future sales. In light of this, we will take a detailed look at using specific modules in Moodle to support students research into finding out exactly what the public wants, in relation to their product, and how best to determine how successful it might be. This will then inform their overall design brief in a better way.

Coupled with this understanding of the market, one of the key areas of technology that is central to all of the design-based subjects addressed in this book is the clear understanding of materials. Students are required to build up a detailed and organized set of knowledge and evidence to show that they know what materials are used in their subject area and can justify their possible choice at a later date for practical work. They also need to show a level of competence in how they work with materials. We will look in detail at how to use modules in Moodle to organize and display the research that students gather so that they can justify their usage of materials and forms in their projects.