DESIGN & TECHNOLOGY

EXAMINATION BOARD:  EDEXCEL Advanced Subsidiary (AS Level) (8108)                                                    Advanced Level (A Level) (9108)

AS Level Design & Technology:  Product Design (Resistant Materials)

A2 Level Design & Technology:  Product Design

This course is an extension of the skills gained from any of the following:

                                         GCSE: D&T: Resistant Materials Technology;

                                                      D&T: Electronic Products

                                                      D&T: Graphical Products.

The Department is equipped with the latest cutting edge ICT: CAD & CAM facilities to offer this exciting new course.

There are two units of assessment,

1. Product Development Coursework project - Teacher Assessed 60% of                                 total marks

2. Knowledge and Understanding of Product Design - 2 hour Exam paper 40% of total marks

Unit 1 is the ‘design and make’ activity. Students select their own context, from which they must design and make a product (or functioning prototype) that matches its specification.

The use of ICT is required at all stages of the Design Process to enhance Technological Capability. i.e; sourcing and communicating Information, Data Handling, Modelling (Computer Aided Design), and Computer Aided Manufacture; and you will learn to use a suite of software packages to support these activities.

This unit results in the development of an appropriate product supported by a design folder.

The folder must include ICT generated images, and be presented on A3 paper and be 30 pages long.

Unit 2 is about the knowledge and understanding of materials and components, including electronics, metals, alloys, polymers, woods, composites and mechanisms. Machining processes and design in practice, including ergonomics and aesthetics.

Design and Technology allow students to:

• use information and communications technology (ICT) to enhance their design and Product Design.

• develop and sustain innovation, creativity and design and technology capability, to recognise

constraints and to produce high quality products

• develop critical understanding of the influences of the processes and products of design and

technological activity from a historical perspective and in current practice

• apply essential knowledge, understanding and skills of design production processes to a

range of technological activities and develop an understanding of industrial practices

• recognise the social, moral, spiritual and cultural values inherent in design and technological

activity, and develop critical evaluation skills in technical, aesthetic, ethical, economic,

environmental, social and cultural contexts

The GCE in Design and Technology course has been designed to provide opportunities for

students to develop their creativity, capability and entrepreneurial skills; to apply knowledge

and understanding to a range of technological activities and to develop critical thinking and

collaborative skills.

The A2 Level Design & Technology: Product Design course.

Unit 3  A further study of Product Design including ‘modern technologies, system & control, CAD; economics of production and Advertising & marketing.

Unit 4  Commercial Product Development.

This involves Designing and Making a functioning prototype that matches a client specification.

There are two units of assessment,

1. Product Development Coursework project - Teacher Assessed 50% of total marks

2. Knowledge and Understanding of Product Design -2 hour Exam paper 50% of total marks