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Design and Technology
DESIGN & TECHNOLOGY
Courses offered:
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Design Technology (SL) Design Technology (HL)
1. What is the nature of Design Technology at IBDP level?
The course aims to develop internationally-minded people whose enhanced understanding of design and the technological world can facilitate our shared guardianship of the planet and create a better world. In Design Technology students combine practical and technological skills with creative thinking to design and make products and systems that meet human needs. They learn to use current technologies, like CAD/CAM, and consider the impact of future technological developments on a social and environmental level. They learn to think creatively while developing real world skills in problem solving, project planning, communication, and time management.
2. What will be the approach to learning?
Inquiry and problem-solving are at the heart of the subject. Students will use the design cycle as a tool, structuring their inquiry and analysis of problems, the development of feasible solutions, and the testing and evaluation of the solution. Working both independently and collaboratively, students will develop solutions in the form of models, prototypes and products. IB Design Technology achieves a high level of design literacy by enabling students to develop critical-thinking and design skills, which they can apply in a practical context.
3. What will be the subject content?
The syllabus is split into theory and practical elements, with practical tasks often used as a way to reinforce the theory. During the course, students in SL and HL will cover knowledge from the six core topics ● Human Factors & Ergonomics (Core Topic 1) ● Resource Management and Sustainable Production (Core Topic 2) ● Modelling (Core Topic 3) ● Raw Materials to Final Product (Core Topic 4) ● Innovation and Design (Core Topic 5) ● Classic Design (Core Topic 6) In addition HL students will study the following additional four topics. ● User-centered Design (HL Topic 7) ● Sustainability (HL Topic 8) ● Innovation and Markets (HL topic 9) ● Commercial Production (HL topic 10) Over the period of the course all students (SL &HL) will work on teacher-directed activities such as mini projects, physical prototyping and digital modelling with fusion 360. The students will complete a design project worth 40% of the final grade.
4. What will be the nature of assessment?
SL external assessment (2 hours 30 minutes) - 60%
● Paper 1 (1hour) - 30% (30 marks) ○ 30 multiple choice questions on the core topics. ● Paper 2 (1hour 30 minutes) - 30% (50 marks) ○ Section A: one data-based question and several short answer questions on the core topics (all compulsory). ○ Section B: one extended response question on the core topics (from a choice of three).
HL external assessments (4 hours) - 60%
● Paper 1 (1hour) - 20% (30 marks) ○ 30 multiple choice questions on the core topics. ● Paper 2 (1hour 30 minutes) - 20% (50 marks) ○ Section A: one data-based question and several short answer questions on the core topics (all compulsory). ○ Section B: one extended response question on the core topics (from a choice of three). ● Paper 3 (1hour 30 minutes)- 20% (40 marks) ○ Short-answer and extended response questions on the additional higher level topics (all compulsory).
Internal assessment (Group 4 and Design Project)- 40%
Design Project
The practical design project is an integral part of the IB course and is compulsory for both SL and HL students. Students are able to pursue their personal interests when deciding on the theme of their project and are encouraged to work with external clients to produce a commercially viable product. This project is internally assessed and externally moderated. The marks are submitted as part of the final IB grade. The first four assessment criteria (A-D) are common between SL and HL. They are:
1. Criterion A: Analysis of a Design Opportunity 2. Criterion B: Conceptual Design 3. Criterion C: Development of a Detailed Design 4. Criterion D: Testing and Evaluation
The HL course has additional requirements, which are assessed using two additional criteria (E and F). They are:
● Criterion E: Detailed Development of a Commercial Product (HL only) ● Criterion F: Making Choices for Commercial Production (HL only)
HL and SL students will collaborate on a group 4 project. Group 4 is a collaborative activity where students from different group 4 subjects (sciences) work together on a scientific or technological topic, allowing for concepts and perceptions from across the disciplines to be shared. The emphasis is on interdisciplinary cooperation and the process involved in scientific investigation. Students will spend approximately 10 hours on this project.
Design and Technology entry requirements:
Past experience shows that students will be able to study Design and Technology (SL) successfully with no background in, or previous knowledge of the subject. Students intending to study HL must have attained at least an B grade for IGCSE Design and Technology. Students who have not studied IGCSE Design and Technology may only take the subject at the HL by approval of the Head of Department.
