Technology

2010 Assessment Feedback

Structure of Presentation Overview

PaperCoreOptions

Student Folio CourseworkArtefact

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

Statistics

2010 Technology Examination

Total 821 (27% increase on 2009)

685 Higher Level (83.4%)

136 Ordinary Level (16.6%)

Assessment ComponentsHigher & Ordinary Level

Student Coursework 50%

Written Examination 50%

Statistics83.9% of HL students obtained a C grade or higher

Statistics19.1% 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 - CoreQ1Answer 12 out of 15 short questions

Q2Answer part a & bplus part c or d

Q3Answer part a & bplus part c or d

36%72 marks24%(12% each)24 marks eachAnswer all questions

Structure of the Paper

Section B OptionsQ4Electronics & ControlQ5Applied Control SystemsQ6Information & Communications TechnologyQ7Manufacturing SystemsQ8Materials Technology Answer any 2 Questions

Answer part a & bplus part c or d

20% for each question40 marks each

Performance of Candidates Total 682

YearTotalABCDEFNG201068211.733.032.417.04.71.20.077.117.05.9

Section A 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 B 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 emphasisReading graphs accuratelyUsing sketches / diagrams to illustrate answers where appropriateGood use of annotations on sketches & drawings

Areas which were poorly answered

Converting unitsFormulaCalculationsSustainability

Section C - Options 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 OverviewOption 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 OverviewOption 4 Manufacturing Systems

Least 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 - CoreQ1Answer 9 out of 12 short questions

Q2Answer part a & bplus part c or d

Q3Answer part a & bplus part c or d

36%24%(12% each)Answer all questions

Structure of the paper

Section B OptionsQ4Electronics & ControlQ5Applied Control SystemsQ6Information & Communications TechnologyQ7Manufacturing SystemsQ8Materials Technology Answer any 2 Questions

Answer part a & bplus part c or d

20% for each question

Performance of Candidates Ordinary Level Paper129 Total

YearTotalABCDEFNG20101298.532.627.919.47.04.70.06919.411.7

OL - Section A 100%75.9%

OL - Section B 97%85%65.8%67.1%

Section C -Options 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 BriefsClass of 2010

Date of Issue: Week before mid term break 2009

Completion Date: 30th April 2010

Class of 2011

Date 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

Grade Breakdown - Project Ord. Level

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 commentsEnvironmental 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 Level

Significant 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

Artefact

Ordinary Level

Artefact - OLMost 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 2010Developments

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

Their co-operation has greatly enhanced this presentation

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