Control Technology Module

Description for September 2014

Level of Instruction: Intermediate, Grade 8

Curriculum Overview:
The Control Technology Module for Grade 8 is based, conceptually, philosophically and practically, on the Foundation for the
Atlantic Canada Technology Education Curriculum (2001). This stand-alone module is designed to be completed in a minimum of
twenty-six (26) hours of class time where students explore the fundamental concepts of control systems focusing on basic
fluidic and electronic systems. This Module builds upon the design and problem-solving knowledge and skills delivered in the
Communications Technology Module and the Production Technology Module and focuses on topics related directly to control
technology. The module presents the robot as an integrated system that uses a variety of control technologies. Students use
personal computers and appropriate software to control motors and other electronic devices. There are many opportunities to
connect to other subject areas, either through one or more stages of the problem solving process, or through the very nature
of the problem being solved.
Authorized Learning Resources:

Curriculum Guide http://www.ed.gov.nl.ca/edu/k12/curriculum/guides/teched/gr8ctrltech/g8control.pdf

Design and Problem Solving in Technology

Design and Technology Teachers Resource

Virtual Labs - Electricity/Light Units - 2 CDs and teacher's guide

Phidgets Kit, Bull Dozer Kit, Hydraulics Kit, Pump it up with Pneumatics
Course Sequence:
Unit 1: Big Ideas (5h-20%)
Topic 1: Control Systems - An Introduction
Topic 2: Fluidic Control Systems
Topic 3: Electronic Control Systems
Topic 4: Robotics
Topic 5: Programming and Interfacing
Topic 6: Control System Safety
Topic 7: Careers in Control Technology
Unit 2: Basic Skills (5h-20%)
Topic 1: Interpretation of Simple Schematics and
Pictorials
Topic 2: Programming and Interfacing
Topic 3: Development of Simple Control
Technology Systems
Topic 4: Troubleshooting
Unit 3: Design Activity (16h-60%)
Topic 1: The Design Team and Design Portfolio
Topic 2: Identification of the Problem Situation
Topic 3: Development of the Design Brief
Topic 4: Investigation and Research
Topic 5: Identification of Possible Solutions
Topic 6: Selection of the Best Solution
Topic 7: Development of the Solution
Topic 8: Evaluation of the Solution
Topic 9: Presentation of the Report

Assessment and Evaluation: (Eastern Region)

In the Eastern Region Assessment in this course is governed by
the Assessment and Evaluation Policy of the Newfoundland and
Labrador English School District - Eastern Region. This policy
and associated regulations are located under I: Instruction at
https://www.nlesd.ca/about/easternpolicies.jsp. This section
may change as the new NLESD Assessment and Evaluation
policy is updated.
Evaluation is the process of analysing, reflecting upon, and
summarizing assessment information, and making judgments or
decisions based upon the information gathered.
Design Activity should account for the largest percentage of
the Modules evaluation, a total value of 60% broken down
further as:
Design Process
Design Portfolio
Solution
Report

6%
24%
18%
12%

The evaluation of the course shall reflect the percent unit

allocations.
Note: All evidence of learning shall be considered when
determining a students final grade. Averaging shall not be used
as a sole indicator of a students level of attainment of the
course outcomes.

Assessment:
Assessment is intended to inform instruction, provide feedback to students, and meet the needs of diverse learners. It is used
for the purposes of grading, certifying, and promoting students. All assessments should be outcome-based and designed to test
students basic knowledge of content, their understanding and ability to apply content, and ability to synthesize and problem
solve. Assessments should provide equal opportunity for all students according to their abilities, needs, and interests. As a
result, teachers make adaptations to accommodate the diverse range of learners in their classes.
The Design Process/Brief
The design brief, negotiated between student and teacher, sets the conditions under which the student engages in a design
activity. The brief parallels the industrial and commercial practice of design briefs and contracts, with one notable differencedesign professionals are assessed mainly on the solution to the problem, while students are assessed mainly on growth in design
capability.
The Design Portfolio
The students design portfolio is essentially a diary of the progress of the design activity. It contains all relevant information,
especially trial and error information. It is used to illustrate the thinking and planning processes that students engage in while
developing a technological solution to a problem. Assessment of process is often indirect, in that the evidence comes from a
variety of sources. The value of the portfolio comes from how well it represents the process. A design portfolio, containing the
facts of what transpired and documenting students decision-making processes, is a significant tool in assessing growth in design
capability. Employing the major phases of the design process as headings, it documents:
Processes and components that were successful, and those that were not
Topics of discussion if decisions had to be made
Decisions
The rationale for decisions
The students evaluation of the process and the solution
Other evidence of student progress provided by the portfolio includes use of technical language and terminology, use of
technical drawings, and the organization and technical presentation of the material.
The Solution
Students technological solutions are assessed and evaluated by both students and teachers with respect to the design brief.
Solutions typically result in a product or service that can be examined, assessed, and evaluated as an independent entity. The
context for assessment and evaluation is the design brief. It provides the problem statement and the conditions under which
the problem will be resolved. A valid assessment of the solution requires a determination of how the designers addressed not
just the problem but also the constraints and conditions. Student assessments provide evidence of how students considered the
criteria, how the criteria affected their decision making, and what, if anything, they did about it. These are important issues
for assessing growth in design capability.
The Report
The report is an opportunity for students and student design teams to demonstrate how they solved the problem, why they
made particular choices, and how the solution could be improved, extended, and/or adapted to different circumstances.
Typically the report takes the form of an individual or design team presentation. Presenting to the client (as represented by the
teacher and the class) at various stages of the process is an important part of design. Assessment of the report should
consider, among other things,
Organization
Completeness
Appropriate use of technical language
Evidence that students have a developmentally appropriate grasp of the issues arising from the problem and the
solution
Evidence of growth in collaborative and team skills