Curriculum Online - Syllabus Core

Syllabus Core

Students are required to study all sections of the Core

A Process of Design
Project and Quality Management
Materials and Production
Communication and Graphic Media
Information Technology
Structures and Mechanisms
Energy, Electricity, and Electronics

Core: A Process of Design

TOPIC
Design Brief
Identification and Analysis of Problems
Recognition of Constraints
Investigation andResearch
Generation of Ideas
Presentation of Ideas
Making and Testing
Evaluation
Presentation of Design

TREATMENT OF TOPIC
Students should learn about/to:

design specifications and the interpretation of design briefs
appreciate the contribution of existing ideas, works, systems to current technologies
analyse situations with a view to improving them and see the potential for developing novel solutions
identify how existing technological products have contributed to meeting people's needs, and the impact of technological developments on society
understand the requirements of those for whom it is proposed to design an artefact - child, disabled person, etc.
recognise that there are constraints accompanying all
design proposals, with particular emphasis on safety and on the effects on the environment
identify the various stages in planning and making to ensure efficient use of time, labour and material resources
share knowledge, ideas and experience
learn from existing or similar developments, recognise/identify design shortcomings - refine or modify existing artefacts or systems to enhance performance
critically appraise solutions for choice of materials, functionality, deployment of technology features, reliability
demonstrate an understanding of human factors when designing and appreciate the importance of ergonomics, colour, aesthetics, etc. in design of artefact.
understand aesthetic considerations and develop visual sensitivity in the design of products/artefacts
use a variety of techniques to generate new ideas or to suggest modifications to those already existing
present the results of their investigation in an appropriate form
record their researches in written, graphic or other forms as appropriate
choose the most appropriate materials, tools, equipment,
procedures and processes to make the product, taking into account environmental considerations and safety requirements
draw up a production plan for the manufacture of the artefact
consider the manufacturing feasibility of the proposed design
match knowledge and skills acquired to suggest optimum design, recognising that manufacturing activity is constrained by a range of factors including knowledge, skills, available materials, cost etc.
use skilfully and safely a range of tools and equipment to make the product
evaluate the product or system against the original design task or specification
evaluate the solution and show social costs and benefits of the proposed solution/artefact
recommend design and manufacturing improvements
produce a design folio to accompany an artefact

LEARNING OUTCOMES
Students should be able to:

understand a design brief and identify a need and/or opportunity for a design project write an appropriate design brief
state and explain how the historical and cultural setting influence existing designs
discuss the interpretation of a technological challenge
state and discuss how technological developments have changed the way we live and communicate and describe applications of technologies in everyday life
describe the situation, in a cultural context, of the individuals/groups for whom they are designing
list the constraints of time, resources, limitations of skills, machinery, etc. in product design
describe the environmental effects of the processing of materials and the disposal of waste products
plan the stages in production to achieve a completed artefact or system within a specified time and make modifications where appropriate
work in collaboration with others
examine existing solutions and describe features which they have found relevant to their work
analyse existing solutions under such headings as: form, function, materials, technologies, environment
apply consideration of human factors and use appropriate anthropometric data, where relevant, in product design
apply aesthetic considerations, where appropriate, in the selection of optimum solution for manufacture
use various techniques to identify situations and propose creative approaches to augment/replace existing designs
sketch, draw, model and present a range of proposed design ideas, using a variety of media, and select the optimum idea from this range
identify the working properties of various materials
and use this knowledge to select appropriate materials for project work
draw up a production plan/schedule
analyse the final product design and the manufacturing considerations in a real life situation
use a range of skills, processes and techniques to produce work of a high standard
demonstrate a range of skills and follow safe work practices
test and describe how well the prototype/ product meets initial specifications
identify how the prototype/product differs from the initial specifications
analyse the trade-offs involved in the design and manufacture of a product
list and describe the modifications that need to be implemented to improve the design and/or manufacture of the product
use a range of presentation media to record all stages of work from initial ideas to completed artefact

Core: Project and Quality Management

TOPIC

Project Management
Quality Management

TREATMENT OF TOPIC
Students should learn about/to:

understand the basic principles of project management
define quality and identify the quality attributes of simple products
understand the impact of quality on product life-cycle
understand simple quality problem-solving tools
understand quality costs
understand the concept of reliability and its impact on product quality including performance

LEARNING OUTCOMES
Students should be able to:

understand and construct Gantt charts identifying, scheduling and monitoring the phases of a design and design execution project
construct critical path diagrams for design and execution of simple projects
list and describe the quality attributes of simple products, including both existing and proposed products
identify and analyse the quality attributes of a proposed product during the design conceptualisation and specification phases of simple projects
describe, in simple terms, the relationship between quality, market share and manufacturing costs
use cause-and-effect diagrams, present data using simple statistical measures, charts and scatter diagrams
identify and quantify the degradation of the quality attributes during and after design execution of simple projects
identify, measure, collect, present and analyse data using these tools/techniques at the designspecification and execution phase of simple projects
describe costs, and their relationship to each other
identify, estimate and classify the costs incurred during design and execution of simple projects.
describe the reliability features of simple products
identify the information required for analysing reliability
describe a simple reliability programme
devise a programme of material, component or product testing to assist in identifying and measuring the appropriate design specification parameters in order to estimate the reliability of the proposed product

Core: Materials and Production

TOPIC

Manufacturing Processes
Resource Management

TREATMENT OF TOPIC
Students should learn about/to:

develop a range of manufacturing skills, in the context of a design and make framework, to enable the production of an artefact
show an awareness of the importance of accuracy in the measuring and marking-out of materials
appreciate the need for proper safety procedures in the use of hand and power tools and other equipment
develop a knowledge of the physical properties of a range of materials and recognise these properties when selecting materials for particular uses
join materials in permanent and semi-permanent forms
select suitable finishes for materials
show regard for the economic use of materials, time, energy and other resources

LEARNING OUTCOMES
Students should be able to:

select and use, in a safe and competent manner, a range of hand and power tools to work a variety of materials
transfer information from drawings, models, sketches, templates and patterns to materials
follow standard working procedures to ensure the safety of self and others
demonstrate the ability to shape and process a range of materials such as ceramics, composites, fabrics, metals, plastics, woods
select and use the most appropriate methods of joining and assembling materials
show an awareness of the effects of environmental conditions on materials and understand the importance of suitable finishing techniques
take account of recoverable and recyclable materials

Core: Communications and Graphic Media

TOPIC

OrthographicProjection
Measured Drawings
Pictorial Projection
Freehand Drawings
Computer-aidedDraughting
Graphic Modelling
Presentation ofInformation
Production of Report

TREATMENT OF TOPIC
Students should learn about/to:

the use and purpose of the main systems of projection
the use of dimensioned drawing systems to communicate information and understand the importance of scaled drawings in the communication of design ideas and in the preparation of working drawings
understand the use and importance of 3D representations in communicating design ideas
produce freehand drawings in both 2D and 3D forms and understand their importance in developing design ideas,
apply light and shade, texture, rendering, reflection to pictorial drawings
understand standard graphic signs, symbols and conventions in current use
select appropriate schematic drawings, procedural sketches, charts and diagrams
use computer graphic packages
use simple graphic modelling techniques to present ideas
report in a concise and accurate form all information they wish to communicate
consider the best style to adopt in recording, processing and presenting information, and make an audio and/or visual presentation where appropriate

LEARNING OUTCOMES
Students should be able to:

select the most appropriate projection convention to communicate design ideas and to produce e.g. two dimensional working drawings in orthographic projection
produce and understand dimensioned and scaled drawings using any of the main systems of projection
produce and understand 3D representations in appropriate projection systems
produce drawings in accordance with standardised drawing conventions
produce freehand drawings to communicate ideas
display the use of a range of colouring media to enhance design drawings
select the drawing modes most appropriate to the tasks undertaken
use simple computer graphic packages to develop and visually represent ideas, using text and graphics
model ideas in easily worked materials
use appropriate language to convey information and be familiar with specialised vocabulary
make use of Information Technology tools, using suitable software packages when appropriate, to communicate information

Core: Information Technology

TOPIC

Introduction to ComputerSystems
Applications andSoftware

TREATMENT OF TOPIC
Students should learn about/to:

develop the basic skills of information and communications technology (ICT)
know the main components of a computer system:
- hardware and software
- systems units
- input, output, and storage devices
manage a computer system:
- boot-up
- shut down
- personal safety and the safe operation of the system
use the computer as an aid to investigation and research
use a word processor
use a spreadsheet

LEARNING OUTCOMES
Students should be able to:

use information and communications technology skills in the presentation of information
identify the components of a computer system and describe their functions
understand system specifications e.g. memory, clock speed and storage capacity
use input devices; generate output; manage files
start up and shut down a computer system safely launch, execute and exit from software
describe and, where appropriate, identify use of data security procedures and virus protection measures
conduct practical investigation and research and integrate findings into design projects
enter text; format text; insert files into a document, e.g. text, graphics, tables;
open, close, save, save as, rename files; output files
identify types of cell content (value, expression, text); enter data; perform simple arithmetic operations; store and manage data; producecharts, graphs, tables

Core: Structures and Mechanisms

TOPIC

Structures
Mechanisms

TREATMENT OF TOPIC
Students should learn about/to:

naturally occurring and manufactured structures
classify various forms of structures
understand what is meant by a force
examine how forces affect structures
what is meant by the moment of a force
the principle of triangulation and how structures are stabilised using triangulation
what is meant by equilibrium and centre of gravity
apply structural principles to design, and make models of structural forms
understand the idea of factor of safety and its importance in structural design
the terms: work, power, torque, friction, load, effort, mechanical advantage, velocity ratio, efficiency
identify first, second and third order levers; linkages
simple and compound pulleys; types of belt drives
gear trains
the use of cams

LEARNING OUTCOMES
Students should be able to:

describe and explain naturally occurring and manufactured structures
describe with aid of sketches arch, shell, frame, beam, box structures
describe and analyse the effects of forces acting on a structure: tension, compression, shear, torsion, bending
do simple calculations of moments
classify struts and ties in a framework show how structures can be stabilised using triangulation
explain andshow, using an appropriate method, how location of centre of gravity affects the stability of structures
identify existing structures, construct models and test their characteristics
outline, using examples, what is meant by destructive and non-destructive testing
perform simple calculations, using correct units, as they are required
sketch and give examples of various levers in everyday use
sketch and give examples of pulley systems in everyday use
sketch and give examples of belt drives
sketch and describe the application of each gear type
describe the appropriate use of cams

Core: Energy, Electricity and Electronics

TOPIC

Energy and EnergyConservation
Electricity
Electronics

TREATMENT OF TOPIC
Students should learn about/to:

sources of energy renewable and non-renewable
different forms of energy, e.g. potential, kinetic, chemical
the principle of conservation of energy and its application
energy transformations
the cost of energy
the meaning of the term `energy efficiency'
electricity as a form of energy distribution
basic electrical concepts: electric current, voltage, resistance, power and the relationship between them
the units in which electric current, voltage, resistance, power and frequency are measured
the resistor colour code
use instruments to measure current, voltage, resistance
understand the difference between AC and DC
identify electronic input, process and output components including switches, relays, temperature/moisture/light sensors, resistors, capacitors, transistors
read and interpret given circuit diagrams
construct simple circuits
construct basic circuits with resistors connected in series and parallel and cells in series and parallel
design, assemble and modify simple circuits from specified design briefs
construct simple transistor circuits incorporating a potential divider and understand its use in controlling the transistor
construct simple transistor circuits to include output devices lamp, buzzer, LED, speaker, motor, relay
design systems as solutions to specified problems
explain the function of basic logic gates AND, OR and NOT and construct truth tables for each

LEARNING OUTCOMES
Students should be able to:

demonstrate how the principles of energy conservation and energy conversion can be used in project design and manufacture
distinguish between the different forms of energy
state and apply the principle of conservation of energy
analyse energy transformations in some common devices
calculate the cost of energy
appreciate the efficiency of different energy conversions
understand how use of electricity influences the way we live
understand the relationship between voltage, current and resistance (Ohm's Law)
apply Ohm's Law, where appropriate
understand and use appropriate units and their symbols: ampere, volt, ohm, watt, hertz
identify resistor values using the colour code
use multimeters correctly and appropriately
differentiate between types of electricity from mains supply (AC) and from batteries (DC)
assemble, test and modify simple sensors for sound, heat and light from given circuit diagrams
given circuit diagrams, assemble components correctly into circuits
have a basic understanding of voltage and current in circuits and test the outputs, and calculate the voltage across resistors in series and parallel
be able to identify and correct faults in circuits they have constructed
use the potential divider to vary an applied voltage
design, test and modify circuits incorporating the use of a potential divider
construct and assemble a number of projects which incorporate output devices sirens, alarms, etc.
understand the operation of circuits which they design and make appropriate modifications to such circuits
decide on the most appropriate gate(s) to use in a circuit and incorporate these into project work where appropriate