GCSE Design & Technology –Timber Products (1DTO/IF)- Pearson Edexcel
‘This course begins by focussing on the ‘Core’ elements of Design & Technology, ensuring that students are aware of the key factors involved in the subject, then continues by specialising on a specific material category. The students will carry out a number of projects and ‘Focussed Practical Tasks’ extending on their learning, knowledge and skills within their material option.’
The GCSE in ‘Timber Products’ enables students to understand and apply design processes through which they explore, create and evaluate a range of outcomes. The qualification enables students to use creativity and imagination to design and make prototypes that solve real and relevant problems, considering their own and others’ needs, wants and values. It gives students opportunities to apply knowledge from other disciplines, including mathematics, science, art and design, computing and the humanities.
Students will acquire subject knowledge in Design & Technology that builds on KS3, incorporating knowledge and understanding of different materials and manufacturing processes in order to design and make, with confidence, prototypes in response to issues, needs, problems and opportunities. Students will learn how to take design risks, helping them to become resourceful, innovative and enterprising citizens. Students should develop an understanding of the impact on daily life of the wider world and understand that high quality design and technology is important to the creativity, culture, sustainability, wealth and wellbeing of the nation and the global community.
What do I study?
The ‘Timber Products’ course comprises of two units of study:-
Component 1: Written examination – 1 hour 45mins, worth 50% of the qualification
The paper consists of two sections. Section A is assessed on the Core content and Section B on the material category the student has chosen (Timber Products). Both sections contain a mixture of different question styles, including open-response, graphical, calculation and extended-open-response questions. Calculators may be used in the examination. Section A is 40 marks and contains 10 marks worth of calculation questions. Section B is 60 marks and contains 5 marks worth of calculation questions.
Component 2: Non-examined Assessment, worth 50% of the qualification
Students will undertake a project based on a contextual challenge released by the exam board a year before certification. The project will test students’ skills in investigation, designing, making and evaluating a prototype of a product
Are there any extra perks?
As well as completing the work necessary for the course, we aim to incorporate visits to industry to see manufacturing in practice. We like to encourage extra- curricular activities such as the ‘Design Technology’ club to provide extra support for students when completing their examination coursework.
Should I do this course?
Students who have an interest in general Design & Technology, Graphic Design or Engineering and have the following skills and aptitudes and particular interests will benefit from this course:
• Workshop/ craft skills;
• An aptitude for ICT, particularly CAD;
• A variety of drawing skills, including Technical drawing;
• Are motivated to work independently.
The course provides a good foundation for numerous creative careers, which include the following:-
Product Design, Design Engineering, Furniture Design, Graphic Design, Architecture, Interior Design to name but a few….
Assessment:
50% Written Examination 1DT0/1F: 1 paper lasting 1 hour 45 minutes
50% NEA 1DT0/IF: Non-examined Assessment – (Coursework)
