Controlled Assessment Coursework - Introduction.

Introduction

Your controlled assessment task is a 45 Hour design project. You need to all be independant and look up information and resources for yourselves. It is worth 60% of your final grade in Electronics so it is important to work hard and meet all the deadlines.

Choosing your project.

AQA have set Controlled Assessment Tasks and your project will need to fall into one of the three listed on the this website.

Coursework Layout

Your design folder should be about 25 - 35 pages in length and your final version will be printed out in A3.

Remember to use between 12 and 14 size font, in Ariel or similar easy to read font. Headings and Titles can be larger.

Do not number your pages at this stage.

Every page has to be on a border sheet.

It is highly recommended that you purchase an A3 presentation folder for £4 from the school. This will keep your work neat and tidy throughout your coursework.

Paying for your project

All students are expected to pay for their projects, if you have a problem paying then please speak to your teacher before finalising your project. You are able to make a high quality project starting from about £10 - £12. It is worth remembering that Electronics is one of the cheaper coursework projects in Technology.

A lot of the cost will be down to you, if you want white or blue LED's instead of red or yellow then it will increase the cost, if you want fancy light up buttons instead of basic ones again this will increase cost. This will not affect your grade but will mean you will take home a nicer, higher quality, project and may mean you are more enthusiastic about making it.

Once you have decided on your project and have put together parts and materials list you will need to hand these to your teacher with payment for what you need to order. Some materials and consumables are covered from the school and your teacher will go through these with you.

Equipment:

It may be worth considering purchasing your own glue and a small set of colouring pencils to help you with your coursework.


Guideline for marking.

The following marking criteria is aimed at an A grade student and what the exam board would be looking for. You are all capable of following this and have the best head start in doing well in Electronics.

Written Work:

Making:

 

Research:
Used a wide variety of appropriate sources to gather relevant research information;

Analysis:
Analysed the task and the research material logically, thoroughly and effectively;

Specification:
Produced a detailed specification which focuses closely on the analysis; used one or more of their proposals and relevant knowledge of techniques, manufacturing and working characteristics to develop a detailed and coherent design solution;

Planning of making:  
Produced a correct sequence of activities which shows where, why and how practical production decisions were made;

Evaluation, testing and modification:
Tested, objectively evaluated and effectively modified their work throughout the process as appropriate;

Use of communication, graphical and use of ICT skills:
Selected and skillfully used a wide range of communication, graphical and ICT skills which have helped to clarify their thinking and are sufficient to convey ideas to themselves and others effectively and precisely;

Social issues, industrial practices and systems and control (including the use of CAD):
Provided evidence that they have considered and taken account of relevant issues, industrial practices and systems and control.

 

Correction of working errors (where needed) including modifications.
Recorded and justified the
need for any changes or
adaptations;

Use of appropriate equipment and processes (including the use of CAM).
Used appropriate materials, components, equipment and processes (including CAM) consistently correctly,
skillfully and safely;

 

Production and effective of outcome.
Made a complete product of high quality;

 

Level of accuracy and finish.
Demonstrated an ability to satisfy accurately and completely all the demands of the design solution;

 

Use of quality assurance (QA) and quality control (QC).
Thoroughly considered QA & QC and applied them consistently and successfully.

Marks are also allocated to your quality of written communication. Make sure everything is clearly and logically presented; your text is legible and take extra care on spelling, punctuation and grammar.

After school coursework sessions.

There will be some opportunities for students to work after school on a Tuesday or Thursday. Your teacher will discuss this with you in the new term.

Software:

We will be using a variety of software to complete your coursework. Most of the software is available free of charge.

  • Microsoft Word - Available to use at school and at home if you have it as part of your computer package.
  • Serif Page Plus - Available to use at school or to take home at £10.

The following software is available at school and at home. Technology have purchased home licence to allow you to use them at home.

  • Crocodile Clips (Yenka) - Electronic circuit design, simulation, programming and PCB design software.
  • PIC Logicator - Electronic Programming software for PICAXE using flowchart. Also simulation for programming.
  • 2D Design Tools - 2D Design software.
  • 2D PCB Design and Make - PCB design software.
  • ProDesktop v8 - 3D Design software.
  • PICAXE programming editor - Flowchart and Basic programming for the PICAXE.

The software will be available to book out from the library or for £1 to take your own copy home. Internet connection may be required to run software and windows xp, windows 7 or vista.

If students wish to purchase a programming cable so the electronics can be programmed at home they are very welcome to. Although these are available at school. The USB version is priced at £11 and the serial version priced at £3.

 

 

 

 
 

(C) 2011 Adrian Cottle.