A Global Curriculum: Design technology in the International Baccalaureate

This paper places the Design Technology curriculum of the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) in an historical and international context of global education. It seems paradoxical that in a postmodern era of respect for local and national cultures and educational systems, a curriculum could thrive that represents the antithesis of this by proposing that the same curriculum is appropriate for all students in all societies. The relevant structures of the IB and the nature of Design Technology will be described in order to enable judgements about its role and to explain its increasing popularity.