Maps Level Descriptors To reflect progress at Key Stage 3 Level -7, 7, +7 Design Technology. Level -7 (He/She) Designing Gathers and uses a wide range of appropriate research materials and explains where their source of information came from. Needs to present their research in a logical sequence suitable to the type of audience. Investigates and understands how similar products look, function and have been manufactured. Should be able to explain how manufacturing process is suitable considering the type of materials used. Is able to explain why particular products have been designed with particular life spans. Should be able to explain an appropriate life span for the products they make. Does show a range of communicate techniques which are suitable to the chosen target audience. Needs to communicate through a wider variety of media to a wider target audience. Can thoroughly test the product in order to establish how well it is working. Must encourage the intended target user to thoroughly test their product. Needs to use their feedback to improve the function and appearance of the product. Making Produces time plans with times and dates. Other people may use these. Needs to be more realistic with times and dates. Understands fully how equipment, tools, machinery work. Should attempt to explain some of the mechanical principles involved. Does produce realistic solutions that are practical in use. Needs to carefully consider the aesthetic appearance of the product. Does use gauges, templates and jigs to ensure accuracy and quality of finish. Needs to make more of these quality control systems themselves. Level 7 (He/she) Designing Can present their research in a logical sequence suitable to the type of target audience. Is able to explain why a particular manufacturing process is suitable considering the type of materials used. Needs to understand and explain why the number of products required by a company have a bearing upon the type of manufacturing system used. Is able to suggest appropriate life spans for the products they make. Need to understand that some products have a built in obsolescence i.e. certain components are designed to fail at a particular time. Can communicate through a wider variety of media to a wider target audience. Need to consider how the presentation of their work has an effect upon their audience. Can encourage the intended target user to thoroughly test their product. Uses their feedback to improve the function and appearance of the product. Needs to consider how the product may be re-designed as a result of this feedback. Making The time plans are generally realistic with times and dates. Needs to develop more detailed cutting lists and parts lists. Understands fully how equipment, tools, machinery work. Does attempt to explain some of the mechanical principles involved. Should investigate how these mechanical principles are used in other systems. Does carefully consider the aesthetic appearance of the product. Needs to understand and explain why the aesthetic properties of the product are so important to the user. Does use gauges, templates and jigs to ensure accuracy and quality of finish. Is able to make quality control systems themselves. Should attempt to not only use these quality control systems with hand tools but also in conjunction with machinery. Level 7+ (He/She) Designing Is able to understand and explain why the number of products created has a bearing upon the type of manufacturing system used. Needs to fully understand the terms one-off, batch, mass and continuous production. Understand that some products have a built in obsolescence i.e. certain components are designed to fail at a particular time. Should be able to give examples of products that have built in obsolescence. Does consider how the presentation of their work has an effect upon their audience. Uses feedback from users to improve the function and appearance of the product. Does consider how the product may be re-designed as a result of this feedback. Need to understand how products are tested using 'British Standards' guidelines. Making Does use detailed cutting lists and parts lists. Should consult price lists in catalogues to create accurate cutting lists. Understands and explains why the aesthetic properties of the product are so important to the user. Needs to refer to particular examples of products that are aesthetically pleasing. Does attempt to not only use quality control systems in conjunction with hand tools but also in with machinery. For example they may make a jig and use it in conjunction with a sanding belt machine.