Specimen Materials

CCEA/ICAA

Design

and

Technology

Product Design

Specification

and

Specimen Materials

First Examination

Full Course 2003

(Short Course 2002)

Foreword 1

Summary of Assessment Information 2

1 Introduction 3

1.1 Rationale 3

1.2 Aims 5

1.3 Assessment Objectives 5

1.4 Specification Structure 6

1.5 Awarding and Certification 6

1.6 Candidates with Particular Requirements 7

1.7 Key Skills 8

1.8 Overlap and Equivalence with Other Qualifications 9

1.9 Restrictions on Candidate Entry 10

2 Scheme of Assessment 11

2.1 Relationship between Assessment Units and Assessment Objectives 11

2.2 Coursework Project (60%) 11

2.3 Written Examination Paper (40%) 15

2.4 Quality of Written Communication 16

3 Subject Content 17

3.1 Summary 17

3.2 Section A - Materials and Components 17

3.3 Section B - Designing and Making 23

3.4 Section C - Environmental and Social Issues 25

4 Grade Descriptions 26

5 Guidance for Teachers on Internal Assessment & External Moderation 28

5.1 Marking Guidance 28

5.2 Instructions for Specialist Areas 33

5.3 Quality of Written Communication 33

5.4 Supervision and Authentication 34

5.5 Standardisation 35

5.6 Administration 36

5.7 Moderation 37

5.8 Candidate Record Form for Centre Assessed Work 38

Appendix A

Exemplification of Key Skills

Appendix B

Pre-Reading Material

Appendix C

Sample Examination Papers and Mark Schemes

Foreword

Following a review of the National Curriculum requirements, and the establishment of the National Qualification Framework, all awarding bodies have revised their Design and Technology GCSE syllabuses for examination in 2003. These new specifications will be used by schools and colleges for two-year courses starting in September 2001, and for one-year Short Courses starting in September 2001.

Summary of Assessment Information

Unit / Description / Foundation Tier
(Grades C – G) / Higher
Tier
(Grades A* - D) / Total
Full Course
Coursework Project / Internally assessed and externally moderated and consisting of at least one project that addresses all of the assessment objectives in an integrated way.
Candidates combine their designing and making skills with knowledge and understanding in order to design and make quality products in their chosen materials. / 40 hours
120 marks / 40 hours
120 marks / 60%
Written Examination Paper / Questions will test the application of knowledge and understanding of materials, components, processes, techniques, technologies and the evaluation of commercial practice and products.
The paper will test all assessment objectives through TWO sections. A pre-release sheet will provide candidates with information about a range of products that will be included. / 1½ hours
80 marks / 2 hours
120 marks / 40%
Short Course
Coursework Project / Internally assessed and externally moderated and consisting of at least one project that addresses all of the assessment objectives in an integrated way.
Candidates combine their designing and making skills with knowledge and understanding in order to design and make quality products in their chosen materials. / 20 hours
120 marks / 20 hours
120 marks / 60%
Written Examination Paper / Questions will test the application of knowledge and understanding of materials, components, processes, techniques, technologies and the evaluation of commercial practice and products in line with NC requirement.
The paper will test all assessment objectives through ONE section. A pre-release sheet will provide candidates with information about a range of products that will be included. / 1 hour
40 marks / 1½ hours
80 marks / 40%

1 Introduction

1.1 Rationale

1.1.1 This specification will allow candidates to specialise in the focus area of product design. They will learn about a range of material, manufacturing processes, techniques and technologies and be able to use them as appropriate to the design and make process.

1.1.2 This specification is designed with flexibility in mind. It will allow centres to structure an individual candidate’s Design and Technology experience for success. Within a single specification, teachers, candidates and centres can undertake a range of options including a degree of specialisation. This will allow the specification to be delivered by a single teacher or a team of specialists. The specification will facilitate the development of skills in designing and making in depth.

1.1.3 The specification allows candidates to work in one or more of the following focus areas:

· Food Technology

· Graphic Products

· Resistant Materials

· Textiles Technology

· Systems and Control

1.1.4 Short Course candidates need to study at least one material in order to design and make a quality product, whilst Full Course candidates must study two materials.

1.1.5 Recommended Prior Learning

The specification builds upon the Key Stage Three Programme of Study for Design and Technology. Candidates should have followed this programme before commencing work on the specification.

1.1.6 Progression

This qualification is recognised as part of the National Qualification Framework. As such, GCSE provides progression from Key Stage One, Two and Three through to Key Stage Four and beyond, to post-sixteen studies. By focusing upon product design, the specification provides an ideal foundation for further study in Design and Technology at Advanced Level and for further study in related subjects such as vocational qualifications in Manufacturing.

1.1.7 Teamwork

Candidates may work individually, or as members of a team. Teamwork may be used to encourage interchange between the most intellectually interested candidates in order that they may achieve outcomes that are greater than could be achieved individually.

1.1.8 Spiritual, Moral, Ethical, Social and Cultural Issues

The specification fully recognises the importance of spiritual, moral, ethical, social and cultural, issues, particularly when exploring the design, manufacture and use of products.

1.1.9 Citizenship

With effect from 2002, all candidates in England are required to study Citizenship as a National Curriculum subject. This GCSE specification is designed to make a contribution and is signposted, where appropriate, to provide opportunities for developing citizenship knowledge, skills and understanding.

Citizenship is taken to include the development of social and moral responsibility, participation in community activity, and development of political awareness.

The internally assessed coursework element, in particular, will encourage pupils to take part willingly in school-based and community-based activities. They will be expected to show commitment and to take a positively critical attitude to these activities. For example, an aspect of coursework might be directly related to the needs of the school or the local community, and this would provide candidates with a genuine opportunity to tackle problems, which have meaning to them. In the process, they will be encouraged to demonstrate personal and group responsibility in their attitudes to themselves and to others. They will also need to consider, critically and constructively, the views of others when developing, evaluating and modifying proposed solutions.

1.1.10 European and Environmental Issues

This specification has taken due regard of the 1998 Resolution of the Council of the European Community in preparing associated specimen papers and specification content. The specification recognises that environmental considerations are an important part of Design and Technology activity. The EC Report ‘Environmental Responsibility: An Agenda for Further and Higher Education’, 1993, has been taken into account.

1.1.11 Health and Safety

Health and safety considerations should be foremost in any Design and Technology activity. Health and safety and related issues must therefore form an integral part of any teaching. In considering health and safety issues, candidates should focus upon the maker, the manufacturer, the user and society at large. Candidates will be expected to demonstrate an understanding of health and safety through their internally assessed coursework. They will also be tested on health and safety through the written papers. Centres focusing Design and Technology activity in Food Technology may wish to explore the criteria outlined in the Food Hygiene Handlers’ Certificate.

1.1.12 Information and Communication Technology

The National Curriculum requires that candidates should be given the opportunity to apply and develop their ICT capacity through the use of ICT tools to support their learning. Candidates are required to make effective use of ICT in ways appropriate to their Design and Technology experience.

1.1.13 Avoidance of Bias

The awarding body has taken care to ensure that the specification and examination papers avoid bias of any kind.

1.1.14 Availability of Assessment Units

Examinations based on this specification are available in the June examination series only.

1.1.15 The specification may be followed by any candidate irrespective of their gender, ethnic, religious or cultural background. The specification is not age specific and provides opportunities for candidates to extend life-long learning.

1.1.16 Private Candidates

The specification may be available on request for private candidates, who will need to be accepted by a local centre for moderation and authentication purposes.

1.1.17 Language

All assessments will be through the medium of English. Assessment materials will not be provided in Irish or Welsh.

1.1.18 This specification is offered in England and Wales only.

1.2 Aims

This specification aims to encourage candidates to:

· analyse and evaluate products and processes;

· demonstrate fully their Design and Technology capability by combining their designing and making skills with knowledge and understanding in order to design and make quality products both as one-offs and in quantity;

· undertake activities that cross subject boundaries and provide opportunities to work both individually and as members of a team;

· engage in focused tasks to develop and demonstrate techniques;

· develop critical and aesthetic abilities, by evaluating Design and Technology activity – their own and others’ – in the context of identified needs;

· develop practical abilities and the confidence to design, make and modify products, selecting and using resources effectively and efficiently;

· consider how past and present Design and Technology, relevant to design and making contexts, affects society;

· consider the effects and implications of technology activity, recognising the moral, cultural and environmental issues inherent in designing, making and using products.

Some of the aims are reflected in the Assessment Objectives whilst others cannot readily be assessed.

1.3 Assessment Objectives

Candidates should be able to demonstrate their Design and Technology capability through acquiring and applying knowledge, skills, and understanding:

(a) of materials, components, processes, techniques and industrial practice;

(b) when designing and making quality products in quantity;

1.4 Specification Structure

1.4.1 This specification is designed to meet the requirements of the GCSE criteria for Design and Technology and to comply with the following:

· GCSE and GCE (A/AS) Code of Practice

· GCSE Qualification Specific Criteria

· National Curriculum Order for Design and Technology

· Arrangements for the statutory regulation of external qualifications in England, Wales and Northern Ireland: Common Criteria

1.4.2 The specification is offered as both a Full and Short Course:

· CCEA GCSE in Design and Technology: Product Design

· CCEA GCSE (Short Course) in Design and Technology: Product Design

1.4.3 The GCSE Short Course forms a subset of the GCSE specification and can be taken as an independent Short Course leading to an award of a GCSE (Short Course) Certificate in Design and Technology.

1.5 Awarding and Certification

1.5.1 Grades are awarded for this specification on a G – A* scale.

1.5.2 Qualification Title

The qualification based upon this specification is entitled:

CCEA General Certificate of Secondary Education in Design and Technology: Product Design

1.5.3 Grading

The qualification will be graded on an 8 point grade scale A*, A, B, C, D, E, F, G. Any candidate who fails to meet the minimum standard for Grade G will be recorded as U (unclassified) and will not receive a qualification certificate.

Candidates must be entered for either the Foundation Tier or the Higher Tier. Grades C – G are available for the Foundation Tier, and Grades A* - D for the Higher Tier. For any Higher Tier candidate who just fails to reach Grade D, a Grade E is provided as a safety net. Any candidate failing to reach Grade E on the Higher Tier or Grade G on the Foundation Tier will be counted as unclassified.

1.5.4 Re-Sits

Candidates may re-take the whole qualification more than once, but individual units may not be re-taken separately.

1.5.5 Basis for Grading

Candidates will be graded on the basis of work submitted for assessment.

1.5.6 Carrying Forward Coursework Marks

A candidate repeating the examination within a twelve month period may carry forward his or her moderated coursework marks, but only once.

1.5.7 Code of Practice

This specification will comply with the grading, awarding and certification requirements of the GCSE Code of Practice.

1.6 Candidates with Particular Requirements

Details of arrangements for candidates with particular assessment requirements are provided in the Joint Council for General Qualifications GCSE and GCE Regulations and Guidance for Candidates with Special Assessment Needs. Copies of the Regulations and Guidance can be obtained from CCEA/ICAA on request.

1.7 Key Skills

1.7.1 The table below shows the main opportunities for generating Key Skills evidence. Further exemplification is shown in Appendix A.

Design and Technology Specification
Content / Examination Paper / Project Work
Key Skills Level 2
C2.1a / Contribute to a Discussion / 4 / 4
C2.1b / Give a Short Talk / 4 / 4
C2.2 / Read/Summarise Information / 4 / 4 / 4
C2.3 / Write Different Types of Document / 4 / 4
N2.1 / Interpret Information / 4 / 4
N2.2 / Carry out Calculations / 4 / 4
N2.3 / Interpret Results of Calculations / 4 / 4
IT2.1 / Search for/selecting Information / 4 / 4
IT2.2 / Explore/Developing Information / 4 / 4
IT2.3 / Present Combined Information / 4 / 4
WO2.1 / Planning Activities / 4 / 4
WO2.2 / Working towards Objectives / 4 / 4
WO2.3 / Exchanging Information on Progress / 4 / 4
LP2.1 / Setting Targets / 4 / 4 / 4
LP2.2 / Using Plans / 4 / 4 / 4
LP2.3 / Reviewing Progress / 4 / 4 / 4
PS2.1 / Identify Problems and Options / 4 / 4
PS2.2 / Plan and Try Out Options / 4 / 4
PS2.3 / Check and Describe Results / 4 / 4

1.7.2 Key Skills are an integral part of the study of Design and Technology. The internal project work offers an ideal opportunity for candidates to organise and present information, ideas, descriptions and arguments.