Cambridge IGCSE Design & Technology

by Nandana Surendran

The Cambridge IGCSE Design and Technology syllabus enables learners to identify, consider and solve problems through creative thinking, planning and design, and by working with different media, materials and tools. As a result, learners gain greater technical and design awareness, while developing skills such as initiative, resourcefulness, enquiry and ingenuity. They also develop the communication skills central to design making and evaluation. Cambridge IGCSE Design and Technology provides an ideal basis for further study, and prepares learners for their future within a rapidly changing technological society. Changes to the syllabus will apply from the June 2007 examination session.

Aims of the Syllabus

The aims are to enable students to-
• Develop creative thinking in areas relevant to design and technology
• Apply problem-solving skills to practical and technological problems
• Develop the communication skills central to design, realisation and evaluation
• Gain knowledge and understanding of design and technology
• Develop skills in research and investigation
• Design and make products, taking into consideration sustainability and the wider impact on society
• Develop the ability to make aesthetic, economic, ethical and technical value judgements.

Syllabus

COMPULSORY TOPICS

  1. Observe need/requirement
  2. Design brief/specification
  3. Identification/research
  4. Generation of possible ideas
  5. Selection/organisation
  6. Evaluation Implementation and realisation
  7. Health and safety
  8. Initiation and development of ideas, and recording data
  9. Communication of design ideas
  10. Use of technology in design and making
  11. Design & technology in society
  12. Practical design application
  13. Environment and sustainability
  14. Control

ONE SPECIALISED TOPIC
Resistant Materials

  1. Types of material
  2. Preparation of materials
  3. Setting, measuring, marking out, testing
  4. Shaping Joining and assembly
  5. Finishing

(OR)

Systems & Control

  1. Systems &
  2. Control Key content
  3. Structures Mechanisms Electronics

(OR)

Graphic Products

  1. Formal drawing techniques
  2. Projections, views and developments
  3. Presenting and communicating information
  4. Materials and modelling
  5. Use of instruments and/or ICT
  6. Manufacture of graphic products

Objectives of Assessment

1. Knowledge and understanding
Recall, select and communicate knowledge and demonstrate understanding in design & technology, including its wider effects.

2. Application
Apply knowledge, understanding and skills in a variety of contexts and in designing and making products.

3. Analysis and evaluation
Analyse and evaluate products, including their design and production.

Assessment

Paper 1
Product Design 25%
50 marks
Questions will be based on the Common content: Product Design. Answer one question. Written/drawing paper. Externally assessed
1 hour 15 minutes

Component 2 (Paper 2)
Project 50%
100 marks
School-based assessment. Internally assessed and externally moderated

Paper 3
Resistant Materials 25%
50 marks
Questions will be based on the Specialist option: Resistant Materials content and the Common content: Product Design
Section A: answer all questions
Section B: answer one question
Written paper. Externally assessed
1 hour

Paper 4
Systems & Control 25%
50 marks
Questions will be based on the Specialist option: Systems & Control content and the Common content: Product Design
Section A: answer all questions
Section B: answer one question
Written paper. Externally assessed
1 hour

Paper 5
Graphic Products 25%
50 marks
Questions will be based on the Specialist option: Graphic Products content and the Common content: Product Design
Section A: answer all questions
Section B: answer one question
Written/drawing paper. Externally assessed
1 hour

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