Technology

2010 Assessment Feedback

Structure of Presentation

•Overview

•Paper CoreOptions

•Student Folio Coursework Artefact

Statistics• 44 Schools offered LC Tech in 2009

• 648 Students assessed in LC Tech 2009

• 59 Schools offered LC Tech in 2010

• 821 Students assessed in LC Tech 2010

• 65 Schools offering LC Tech in 2011

• 2000 Students currently studying Technology

Statistics2010 Technology Examination

• Total 821 (27% increase on 2009)

• 685 Higher Level (83.4%)

• 136 Ordinary Level (16.6%)

16.6%83.4%

Assessment Components

Higher & Ordinary Level

Student Coursework – 50%

Written Examination – 50%

Statistics

83.9% of HL students obtained a C grade or higher

Statistics

19.1% of OL candidates did not submit all assessment components

Examination Paper

Higher Level2010 L.C. Technology examination

papers & marking schemes available from

www.examinations.ie

Structure of the Paper: Higher

Section A - Core

Q1 Answer 12 out of 15 short questions

Q2 Answer part a & b

plus

part c or d

Q3 Answer part a & b

plus part c or d

36%72 marks

24%(12% each)

24 marks each

Answer all questions

Structure of the Paper

Section B – Options

Q4 Electronics & Control

Q5 Applied Control Systems

Q6 Information & Communications Technology

Q7 Manufacturing Systems

Q8 Materials Technology

• Answer any 2 Questions

• Answer part a & b

plus

part c or d

• 20% for each question

40 marks each

Performance of Candidates

Year Total A B C D E F NG

2010 682 11.7 33.0 32.4 17.0 4.7 1.2 0.0

77.1 17.0 5.9

Higher Level Paper

Total 682

Section A

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

Response Rate

100%

75.2%

Section A – Analysis

Well AnsweredQuestions on:

• Properties & applications of materials• Health & safety• Design modifications

Poorly Answered

Q4 – Mechanical efficiency (Formula / Calculation)Q6 – Factor of safety (understanding)Q11 – Critical path diagram

Section BResponse

rate

Q-2 Q-3

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%99% 98%

61.7%

65.8% Consistency

between attempt rate and average

mark

Section B – General Overview

The more successful candidates gave structure to their answering by

• Using bullet points to highlight and give emphasis• Reading graphs accurately• Using sketches / diagrams to illustrate answers where

appropriate• Good use of annotations on sketches & drawings

Areas which were poorly answered

• Converting units• Formula• Calculations• Sustainability

Section C - OptionsResponse

RateAverage Mark

Applied Control

Sys

Elec & Control

ICTManuf Sys

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

Mat Tech

48.5%

25%

24%

47.5%

62%

75%

18%

43.3%

72%

63.3%

Section C - Options

• Improved time management skills were in evidence

• 89.9% of candidates answered the required two options

• Some candidates opted to answer the option questions before the long core questions

Teachers and students are to be commended on successful examination strategies

Section C - General Overview

Option 1 Applied Control SystemsPart A Was well answeredPart B (ii) very few candidates included a reset / interrupt commandPart C and part D were equally popular.Part DIdentifying reasons for using a pneumatically controlled system in preference to an electronic controlled system, presented difficulties.

Option 2 Electronics & Control Part A was well answeredPart B explanation of circuit operation presented difficulties.Part D more popular than CPart C Schmitt trigger presented difficulties. However, explanation and efficiency calculation for motor scored well.Part D Sketching logic gate configuration was weak, most candidates were able to identify appropriate sensor components.

Section C - General Overview

Option 3 Information & Communications TechnologyThis option was very popular and was answered very wellPart B – Function of server understood, explanations of intranet use were weak.Part C more popular than Part DGood awareness of issues associated with sharing of information on line.Part D – Wave formats drawn correctly but not always identified correctly. Factors provided for increased file size of image were very good.

Section C - General Overview

Option 4 Manufacturing SystemsLeast popular question.Part A – Outline of three Dfe considerations good. A(ii) Some students referred to a vehicle rather than a specific motor i.e.

Part B – Life cycles well done, Product Process Matrix – poorPart D more popular than C Part C well answered.Part D competitiveness key factors fair, however, specific examples poor.Set-up cost & Break Even Quantity (BEQ) well answered

Section C - General Overview

Option 5 Materials Technology

Overall very well answered.

A - Primary properties well answered, appropriate examples not always provided. Some confusion between heat conduction and electrical conduction.B - Well answered, material choice not always specific (wood / mahogany)

D more popular than CC - Batch production sometimes confused with once off projects. Sketches often lacked annotations.D - Pillar drill most popular, annotations / descriptions again lacking with some candidates.

Examination Paper

Ordinary Level

Structure of the paper

Section A - Core

Q1 Answer 9 out of 12 short questions

Q2 Answer part a & b

plus

part c or d

Q3 Answer part a & b

plus part c or d

36%

24%(12% each)

Answer all questions

Structure of the paper

Section B – Options

Q4 Electronics & Control

Q5 Applied Control Systems

Q6 Information & Communications Technology

Q7 Manufacturing Systems

Q8 Materials Technology

• Answer any 2 Questions

• Answer part a & b

plus

part c or d

• 20% for each question

Performance of Candidates

Year Total A B C D E F NG

2010 129 8.5 32.6 27.9 19.4 7.0 4.7 0.0

69 19.4 11.7

Ordinary Level Paper

129 Total

OL - Section A

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

Response Rate

100%

75.9%

OL - Section B

Q-2 Q-3

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

Response rate

97%

85%

65.8%

67.1%

Section C -Options Response

RateAverage Mark

App Control

Sys

Elec & Contro

lICT

Manuf Sys

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

Mat Tech

27.3%

11%

28%

50.3%

62% 59.5%

25%

50.2%

62%

55.1%

Advice to teachers / students:

• Choose the two Optional areas of study as early as possible and focus on these in parallel with the Core options.

• Focus time and energy on doing your chosen questions as well as you can. Attempt the required number of questions and the required number of parts within each question.

(OL - Ensure you answer two Options).

• A possible approach may be to answer the option questions before the long core questions.

•Answer in point form and be as specific as possible.

• Where possible, annotate sketches – practice sketching.

• Calculations: Show formula and calculation as well as final answer and remember to convert units where appropriate

• Familiarise yourself with marking schemes and sample answers to previous examinations (www.examinations.ie)

Paper – all levels

Student Coursework

Technology Briefs

Class of 2010Date of Issue: Week before mid term break 2009

Completion Date: 30th April 2010

Class of 2011Date of issue: End of September 2010

Completion Date: 31st March 2011

Thematic Brief 2010 (H L)Entertainment events are enhanced by the settings in which

they occur. Of particular importance is the performance area which enriches the audience experience through the creative use of structures and of factors such as movement, light and sound. With the evolution of personalised technology, opportunities now arise for individual members of the audience to interact with, and create an effect on, the performance area.

Within the context of contemporary design and with a focus on enhancing the audience experience, design and make a working model of a dynamic performance area for an event of your choice. Individual audience members should have the opportunity to enhance their experience through interacting with the performance area.This model should incorporate electronic and / or mechanical systems and should also be well presented.

Note: The maximum dimension of the artefact you present for assessment should not exceed 500mm

Design Folio – 50%Artefact – 50%

Thematic Brief 2010 (OL)Road safety is an important issue for all road users. The importance of seat belts, helmets, high visibility clothing and road signage is often communicated through radio, television, poster campaigns and other media. However, some road users have not yet understood the importance of the road safety message.Dioramas are colourful animated displays which often incorporate structures, mechanisms and electronics. These dynamic visual displays are used to increase the impact of important messages.

Design and make an animated diorama to communicate an aspect of road safety which you consider to be important. The diorama should be attractive, incorporate a mechanical and / or electronic system and should be well presented.

Note: The maximum dimension of the artefact you present for assessment must not exceed 500 mm.

Design Folio – 40%Artefact – 60%

Grade Breakdown - Project Higher Level

A,B,C Rate = 85.8%E,F,NG Rate = 4.7% Total = 702

Grade Breakdown - Project Ord. Level

A,B,C Rate = 74.5%E,F,NG Rate = 7.8% Total = 92

Feedback - General

• Some excellent folios and artefacts submitted

• Majority of candidates submitted an artefact and folio OL folios should follow the format provided with coursework briefs

• If sitting an Ordinary Level paper then it is highly recommended that an ordinary level project is submitted.

• Attention to ‘completeness’ is vital;

Important to complete each subsection in folioFinish and presentation of artefact is importantKeep a photographic record of important processes as they are completeDrawings for manufacture should be clear and detailed.

• Attention to the subsystem component – (electronics and/or mechanisms) throughout folio and artefact is significant

Design folio - HLImportant to note that the HL

design folio provides the essential context in which the

coursework is examined.

Important to maintain high standard as folio provides 50% of coursework marks

Analysis: Research detail excellent in many cases. Weaker candidates provided general research on tools/equipment etc. All research must focus on thematic brief provided. Specification of chosen parameters still not included in some folios.

Folio overall comments

Environmental impact: Well answered. Candidates could also consider energies used in tools, equipment, circuits & soldering requirementsResearch, investigation and specification of brief: It is important for candidates to state clearly as a final brief, what exactly they are going to do. Design ideas and selection of solution: Quality of sketching/drawing varied greatly. Optimum solution should be clearly identified and effectively justifiedTesting, evaluation and critical reflection: Further scope for development i.e.

Artefact evaluated through:

• initial stated brief & objectives,

• projected manufacturing objectives,

• possible modifications to improve/develop the product.

Artefact

Higher LevelSignificant rise in overall grades for 2010 due to candidate performance in the production of the artefact

Average mark for HL artefact: 80.1

Artefact - Higher Level

Most common solutions:• Concert stage, audience control of lights, sound & movement• Judging control of auditioning competitions• Model of quiz shows• Sports arenas with audience control• Fashion shows with participant control of lights etc.• Boxing rings with voting interactivity

Excellent range of solutions were presented with very effective and innovative designs attempted.

Use of new materials, new equipment such as CNC routers, PIC control are starting to help improve the quality and working of products.

Quality and finish of presented artefacts is improving, however, issues such as:

• Edge finishing of parts• Use of adhesive• Polishing• Loose wiring• Assembly techniques

Still need particular attention

Artefact

Ordinary Level

Artefact - OL

Most Common solutions:

• Rotating road signs,

• Warning messages,

• Flashing LED highlighting hazards,

80% of OL candidates submitted a folder for assessment

Cousework Summary

• Complete all sections of folio

• Identify research parameters and artefact specifications

• The circuit and mechanism is an integral part of project from start to finish

• A high level of finish is important

• Remember to Test and Evaluate the finished artefact

Sample Projects - HL

Stage performance

Skateboard performance

Boxing ring

Deal or No Deal - audience interaction

Rotating stage

Lotto

X Factor judging

Fashion show

Special effects performance area

X Factor performance

The Odyssey Arena

Disco ArenaLight Show Entertainment

360 Rotating Stage

Going Forward

• Junior Cert Technology – O.L.

• PDF format for OL Design folder 2009

• Introduction of New Logbook 2009

• Exemplar JC Design folders 2010

Developments

Acknowledgement

A very sincere thank you to the teachers and students who generously gave access to project work

Their co-operation has greatly enhanced this presentation