Examining Board - AQA
Design & Technology offers students the exciting opportunity to develop modern technological skills through the design and manufacture of high quality products. The students gain great personal satisfaction from developing their own ideas into real products and are inspired by working with a range of materials of their choice.
The practical and theoretical problem solving processes undertaken throughout the course encourage independent learning, creativity and innovation.
At Rainford College we offer 4 different technology options, all of which follow the AQA specification.
The four subject areas are very similar in the way they are organised and assessed but have very different subject content.
DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY SUBJECTS
Systems and Control
Systems and Control Technology, at Rainford College, focuses on electronic and programmable control. You will learn how to design and develop digital and analogue circuits, use Programmable Interface Controllers (PICs) and interface with mechatronic (mechanics, electronic and programmable) systems. The AS year focuses on traditional digital and analogue electronic technologies, culminating in a design and make assignment, which uses this knowledge to produce an electronic game. Alongside this you will study broader designing and manufacturing topics, such as the effects of technology on society.
The A2 year is more self-directed, as you work on a Product Study (Unit 4) of a product or system of your choice and an extended Project (Unit 5). Examples of A2 projects over the past few years are:
- a car alarm system
- a programmable guitar effects selector
- a roving robot
- a floppy disk dispenser
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Students should normally aim to have a GCSE in Technology at grade B or above but we welcome all students with a genuine interest, enthusiasm and commitment to the subject.
ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
AS Level
Module 1 – Materials and Components
- Externally assessed examination covering the full range of materials, components and manufacturing processes available to the student, worth 30% of the AS marks
- This is worth 15% of the A2 marks if the course is continued
Module 2 – Coursework
- Internally assessed and externally moderated
- This is a design and manufacture project of your choice (within guidelines), worth 40% of the AS marks
- This is worth 20% of the A2 marks if the course is continued
Module 3 – Design and Market Influences
- Externally assessed examination, worth 30% of the AS marks
- This is worth 15% of the A2 marks if the course is continued
- This is a design paper on a pre-prepared topic/theme
A2 Level
Module 4 – Product Study
- This involves you choosing a product already available and studying the designing and manufacture of the product in detail, culminating in a 2000 word assignment
- This is worth 15% of the final award and is externally assessed
Module 5 – Coursework
- Internally assessed and externally moderated
- This is a design and manufacture project of your choice
- This is worth 15% of your final award
Module 6 – Subject content Exam
- A 3 hour externally assessed examination paper consisting of a range of materials, design, and manufacturing questions
- Group and course tutor discussion topics
- Presentation of work
- Written assignments
Theoretical knowledge is delivered through dedicated lessons and a range of research projects.
METHODS OF STUDY
You will experience a wide range of study methods, developing your skills through a combination of teacher lead and self-directed learning activities. Some examples of these approaches are:
- product and system analysis
- practical skills sessions, such as ‘breadboarding’ electronic circuits
- research and development tasks
- theory and context of design
- research sessions, library work, internet etc
- looking at the work of existing designers and products and their impact on society
- group discussion
- Computer Aided Design (CAD) and Computer Aided Manufacture (CAM)
- use of computer simulation software
- Investigating industrial and manufacturing processes