Circular
S/IF/89/05 November 2005
TO: eg, The Principals of Post-primary Schools and Director of Institutes of Further and Higher Education
FOR CIRCULATION TO: The Head of the Technology Department or teacher of GCSE Construction
GCSE Examinations, January and Summer 2006
Construction Coursework Units
Dear Colleague,
At the recent Agreement Trial for GCSE Construction, the Principal Moderator proposed changes to the assessment criteria for Units 1 and 3. These changes were intended to clarify the criteria and simplify the marking of the work produced by the candidates.
The proposed changes were broadly welcomed by the teachers who were able to attend the Agreement Trial, and so it is our intention to use these criteria for marking Units 1 and 3 for candidates completing the course in summer 2006, as well as for future examination sessions.
The new criteria are set out below.
Assessment Criteria for Unit 1: Employment in the Construction Industry
Research Portfolio - 5 marks
The areas to be researched are:
- Main activities of the construction industry;
- Professional Occupations within the construction industry;
- Craft Occupations within the construction industry.
Marking Grid for Research Portfolio
Content of Portfolio |
Maximum mark |
Downloaded/photocopied/cut and pasted information on two areas. |
1 |
Downloaded/photocopied/cut and pasted information on three areas. |
2 |
Downloaded/photocopied/cut and pasted information on three areas with individual conclusions. |
3 |
Downloaded/photocopied/cut and pasted information on three areas with individual commentary and conclusions. |
4 |
Downloaded/photocopied/cut and pasted information on three areas with individual commentary and conclusions, questionnaire/interview, photographs or other graphics included. |
5 |
Craft Project Diary 5 marks
Candidates should produce evidence that they have considered the following topics.
- Production stages (flow diagram etc…)
- Working drawing
- Exploded view
- Cost of project
- Safety issues
- Materials (cutting list)
2 topics: 0-2
4 topics: 0-4
6 topics: 0-5
Craft Project Outcome 25%
- Accuracy of assembly 8%
- Range of joints/processes 8 %
- Quality of finish appropriate to craft project 8%
- Fit for purpose 1%
Total: 25%
Marking Grid for Craft Project Outcome
(a) |
Unstable, poorly assembled |
Not square, but assembly adequate in most respects |
Assembly excellent in all details |
|
0 - 3 |
4 - 6 |
7 - 8 |
(b) |
2 joints/processes involved |
3 joints/processes involved |
4 or more joints/processes |
|
0 - 3 |
4 - 6 |
7 - 8 |
(c) |
Poorly sanded, some pencil lines still evident, poorly varnished etc. |
Suitable finish applied, however not to a high standard. Some good preparation has taken place. |
Excellent finish appropriate to material used. Some excellent preparation has taken place. |
|
0 - 3 |
4 - 6 |
7 - 8 |
(d) |
Not “fit for purpose” |
|
“Fit for purpose” |
|
0 |
|
1 |
Assessment Criteria for Unit 3: Computer Aided Design
The portfolio produced by the candidates will include:
(a) Orthographic and isometric drawings of bricks, doors, windows;
(b) Annotated drawings showing details such as strip foundation, window sill, lintel, door/window jamb;
(c) Annotated drawings showing details such as floor plan, elevation, section.
Marking Grid
(a) |
Very little evidence of drafting ability; no or few borders, name blocks, titles, measurements etc shown. |
Evidence of a reasonable standard of drafting ability; some borders, name blocks, titles, measurements etc shown. |
Evidence of a high standard of drafting ability; most or all borders, name blocks, titles, measurements etc shown with excellent layout. |
|
0 - 1 |
2- 3 |
4 - 5 |
(b) |
Limited number of drawings with some scaling. |
Good range of drawings with scaling and some annotation; some basic sectional drawings included. |
Comprehensive range of drawings with dimensions, scaling and annotation. Good quality sectional drawings included. |
|
0 - 5 |
6 - 10 |
11 – 15 |
(c) |
Limited number of drawings with some scaling. |
Good range of drawings with scaling and some annotation; some basic sectional drawings included. |
Comprehensive range of drawings with dimensions, scaling and annotation. Good quality sectional drawings included. |
|
0 - 6 |
7 - 14 |
15 - 20 |
|
