From the pupil’s perspective, electronics is a great subject to study for the following reasons;

• It is a stimulating and rewarding subject
• It is relevant to pupils’ lives
• Pupils learn valuable skills
• There are opportunities to take electronics beyond the classroom

It is a stimulating and rewarding subject

Electronics combines practical work with theory, so pupils are learning whilst doing. Pupils find electronics motivating and get a real sense of satisfaction from the subject though having ownership of their project work and seeing their projects come to life.

Electronics is not just for boys, and it is not just for the more capable students; it needn’t be difficult for teachers to structure tasks to make sure that each ability level can be challenged and successful.

“You get a really good feeling when it all works fine.” KS3 Pupil

“I'd say that girls should have a go at it because it turns out to be really fun.” KS3 Pupil

It is relevant to pupils’ lives

Pupils’ project work can reflect their own interests, and design briefs can encourage them to really stretch their imaginations and produce some innovative and worthwhile products. Electronics is relevant to young people; they are growing up with mobile phones and digital television, so studying it as a subject at school helps them to understand and question the electronic world they live in.

“I would consider this as a GCSE because of the way you are able to understand how things work rather taking it for granted” Pupil

“One of the big advantages of project work in design & technology is that it can be based around pupils’ own individual interests and expertise.” David Barlex, Curriculum adviser to EiS

Pupils learn valuable skills

The skills pupil develop include;

• team skills
• persistence
• problem solving
• communication skills
• ICT skills

There are opportunities to take electronics beyond the classroom

Many pupils get such a buzz out of their project work that they want to continue with it in their own time, and so be prepared for pupils to want to spend lunch breaks and after school hours in the workshop! The more they get into it, the more they get out of it.

(This material was originally created for the Electronics in Schools Project and published on the dedicated website electronicsinschools.com)