Maps Level Descriptors


To reflect progress at Key Stage 3 Level -6, 6, +6 Design Technology.

Level -6
(He/She)

Designing
Evaluates research materials and methods of investigation. Needs to ask for advice or assistance from an expert in a particular field or a suitable company or business.
Understands and explains how a similar product meets the needs of a target audience. Needs to examine how a particular product satisfies the needs of a variety of users of different age ranges.
Can produce a detailed list of specifications. Needs to consider producing a revised specification list as project develops.
Uses labelled drawings to test their design thinking. When annotating a drawing must attempt to use the correct terminology.
Evaluates the research, initial ideas and explains reasons for choosing a design. Needs to evaluate the development process on completion.

Making
Suggests alternative methods of making in their plans. Must explain why one form of making was chosen and another rejected.
Chooses a variety of equipment to work with and does understand how they work. Needs to consider when it is suitable to use machines and power tools and when it is suitable to choose hand tools.
Checks accuracy and quality at end of process. Needs to spend more time checking the accuracy and quality of work as it develops.

Level 6
(He/She)

Designing
Does attempt to seek advice from an expert or company. Should show how this advice has affected their design thinking.
Understands and compares how similar products look and function. Needs to use this information to further their design proposals.
Develops a list of revised specifications as the project develops. Should explain why this list is different from the original list.
Evaluates research, initial ideas and development work. Needs to evaluate different making techniques, comparing their suitability and effectiveness.
Evaluates the maintenance of a product when in use. Must consider the life span of the products they make.

Making
Shows competence with a variety of machinery, power tools and hand tools. Needs a greater understanding of how they work.
Checks, measures accuracy and quality of work as it develops. Needs suggest in the time-plan when it is appropriate to check for quality of finish and accuracy.
Experiments with alternative manufacturing methods to make components. Should experiment with a greater variety of surface finishes.

Level 6+
(He/She)

Designing
Does show how expert advice has affected their design thinking. Needs think carefully about the type of questionnaire that is suitable to give to a company or business.
Understands how similar products look and function. Uses this information to further proposals. Must clearly show where their sources of information came from.
Understands that a product has a certain life span. Should attempt to explain why particular products have been specifically designed with a limited life span.
Shows a range of communication techniques. Must decide if the method of communication chosen is suitable to the target audience.

Making
Produces time-plans for their own projects. Must attempt to produce extensive time plans that can be used by other people.
Chooses the correct equipment in order to complete a process. Needs to consider the maintenance of the equipment.
Suggests in their time-plan when it is appropriate to check for quality of finish and accuracy. Needs to examine the use of no/go gauges in industry.
Can create well-finished products but are not always practical in use. Must create more realistic solutions. The intended use needs to be a priority.



 

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