Grade Descriptors: Design & Technology Investigating the Design Context Development of the Design Proposals Making Testing and Evaluation Communication Grade 9 Discrimination show when selecting and acquiring relevant research that will promote originality in designing. A specific target market has been identified and an in-depth user profile is completed. Comprehensive analysis of relevant and focused research undertaken. A clear and specific design criteria identified referring to all aspects of the Innovative and unique ideas have been developed fully, demonstrating flair and originality. A coherent design strategy which shows clear evidence of a planned approach throughout. Students have included implications of a wide range of issues such as social, moral, sustainability issues to inform development. Students have completed excellent development work though experimentation and a wide variety of Fully detailed and justified consistently high level of if ). They use them skilfully, safely and independently. Quality controls and testing are evident throughout manufacture and it is clear how accuracy has been achieved. Students provide a sound explanation for any change from the design proposal. The outcome has the potential commercially viable and is suitable for Students reflect critically and effectively throughout to include detailed testing and evaluation as. Students take into account the user and third party opinions. outcome are tested against the design criteria or product Students evaluate and justify the need for further modifications and considerations as to how the product should be altered for it to be commercially produced. Grade 8 A target market has been identified and a user profile is complete. Students have produced a detailed analysis of design context and relevant research undertaken. Design criteria refers to all aspects of the Innovative and imaginative ideas have been developed, demonstrating creativity. An design strategy has been used with evidence of a planned approach throughout. Students have included implications of relevant aspects of social, moral, high level of making, modelling and if ), and use them accurately, safely and independently. applied throughout the Detailed testing and evaluation as throughout the designing and making process, taking into account the user and their needs. outcome are tested against the design criteria or product
Students have used a wide range of techniques to develop their designs to a high standard. Detailed and mostly justified manufacture in order to test and develop the product further. The outcome could be commercially viable with minimal development. Students can evaluate and justify the need for further modifications for the product to be commercially produced. Grade 7 Students are selective in acquiring relevant research. A target market has been identified and a basic user profile is complete. Students have an excellent understanding and analysis of design context and research. Students produce a wide range of imaginative design proposals demonstrating a degree of creativity which are further developed through modelling and other Design proposals are developed to take into account ongoing research and all aspects relating to social, moral, environmental and Evidence of planning is adopted for most aspects of the designs. Detailed consistently very good level of finishing skills throughout. if ), and use them correctly, safely and independently. routinely used to check accuracy of making and inform developments of the The outcome could be commercially viable with further development. Students identify a broad range of criteria for evaluating their products relating their findings to social, moral, environmental and sustainability issues. product have been tested against the design criteria or product Grade 6 Students have a good understanding and analysis of the design context, with relevant analysis of products and systems. A target market has been identified and reflected in analysis. Design criteria shows knowledge of materials, techniques based on their understanding of properties and characteristics. Students produce a wide range of creative design proposals including further development with evidence of planning for most aspects. Development of design proposals take into account the main aspects relating to some social, moral, specification reflects key Final outcome shows elements of very good level of if ), and use them correctly and safely. used consistently and students show some evidence of creativity as they modify their approach in the light of progress. The outcome suitable for Students use a range of testing and evaluation techniques throughout the design and making process. Most aspects of the final product have been tested against the design criteria or the product
Grade 5 Students have identified a specific target market and analysed their needs. They have recognised trends and patterns in existing solutions to help develop realistic products. The design criteria reflects most of the analysis undertaken. choices of materials, A variety of design ideas show some degree of creativity and some development. Development of design solutions are influenced to some extent by factors relating to social, moral, Plans predict the time needed to carry out the main stages of making products. specification reflects most good level of making, modelling and finishing skills throughout. Students can select materials, equipment ), and use them correctly and safely. The outcome requires minimal development in order to be suitable for the target market Student use a range of strategies to develop and test their product throughout the designing and making process. Some aspects of the final outcome have been tested against the design criteria or the product demonstrates an Grade 4 Students use a wide range of sources of information. They have started to identify a possible user and their needs. Design criteria reflects some of the analysis undertaken. Students can compare and contrast a range of possible materials, Some of student's design ideas start to show a degree of creativity and adequate development through working with a range of techniques and modelling (including CAD where ). Students are starting to acknowledge factors relating to social, moral, Planning shows some consideration for time required to complete manufacture. specification reflects most obvious features of analysis. mostly good level of Students use Quality Control checks and notice technical problems as they arise. Student use materials, equipment ) correctly and safely. The outcome requires further development in order to be suitable for the target market. Students include testing of at least 3 features of their final product against the design criteria and can explain the improvements that would be necessary to improve the Design folder shows some skill in choice of material for inclusion but does include some irrelevant content. Most decisions communicated with some clarity and with some technical language. There are a small number of errors with grammar,
Grade 3 Students have drawn on and used a range of sources for information. They recognise the importance of the form and function of familiar products using ACCESS FMM. Students take a range of users' views into consideration when responding to a brief. They have shown understanding of the needs of these users. Detail shown in design criteria/ Can identify properties and characters of chosen Student s ideas show some variation in approach or concept. They show some consideration of: social, moral, and environmental and Development work makes some references techniques and modelling specification reflects some Final outcome is complete and shows elements of good making, modelling and Students use Quality Control checks to identify individual areas that could affect the final Students request support when necessary to use if ) correctly and safely. The outcome is suitable for Students can explain the differences between their design and their final product with some modifications suggested. Students demonstrate that they understand the situations in which the products will be used. Design folder shows some skill in choice of material for inclusion but does include some irrelevant content. Most decisions communicated with some clarity and with some technical language. There are a small number of errors with grammar, Grade 2 Some analysis of relevant products or systems undertaken using ACCESS FMM criteria. Students take 1 or more users' views into consideration when responding to a brief. They show some understanding of the needs of the users. Some detail shown in design criteria. Some consideration shown for materials, Students communicate creative ideas using technical key words to create detailed annotated sketches and models. Specifications include justifications and processes that will be used. Final outcome is completed and shows basic modelling and Students use some quality control checks to identify some individual areas that could affect the final Students requested support where necessary to where ) correctly and safely. The outcome is suitable for Students can reflect on their design identifying features they can improve. Students use testing techniques to establish how effective their product is A few errors in spelling, grammar. Some decisions communicated clearly and students begin to show an understanding of Some irrelevant content included with some duplication of information of development content. Grade 1 Simple analysis of other products or systems undertaken using some ACCESS FMM criteria. Or simple mind map identifying various user groups. Students communicate alternative ideas through use of words, labelled sketches and/or models. They are beginning to show awareness of: social, moral, Final outcome is mostly complete and/or completed and shows a basic level of Students begin to show an awareness of Quality Students can identify some improvements for their completed Students use simple testing techniques on their final Numerous errors in grammar, punctuation in Simple level communication for ideas and
Students take 1 users view into consideration when responding to a brief. They are beginning to show understanding of the needs of the user. Some detail shown in design criteria. An awareness shown for sustainability issues, through annotations. Ideas are developed and planned. Specification will include justifications. Control. Students require some supervision to use if ) safely. The outcome has limited suitability for the target market. They can reflect on unsuccessful parts of their product and mention an improvement for their design. decisions, with limited use of technical vocabulary. Working Towards Grade 1 Collect research from 1 source to create a mood board not necessarily relevant to the brief. Shown an awareness of existing products Students are able to mind-map ideas for a chosen theme, product or single user. Students identify basic points for a design criteria. Students generate basic ideas using sketches and labels to communicate their designs. Minimal development shown with limited range of ideas. Produce a simple specification which is to describe what will be made Final outcome requires completion and/or is completed with low level of making/modelling/finishing skills. Students work with support to use materials, equipment ) safely. The outcome is not necessarily suitable for the target market. Students can identify 1/2 improvements for their completed Testing of the final product is minimal or not evident. Evaluation throughout the 'design and make' process is basic. Numerous errors in grammar, punctuation in Simple level communication for ideas and decisions, with limited use of technical vocabulary.