WRITTEN ASSIGNMENT FOR INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY (A GUIDE)

1. The written assignment for Industrial Technology has continuously posed a level of difficulty for some students

and teachers who are required to contend with the CSEC practical areas. In light of this challenge the following

presentation has been created to give a better understanding of the procedure to follow.

G.HEMMINGS

2. In order to successfully complete written assignments candidates must firstly become aware of the

requirements of this component. It is very important that each candidate is not only provided with these

requirements (which include background and mark scheme) but also that teachers utilize a session or two to

explain thoroughly the steps to be followed.

Guides presented to candidates should include the following:

1.1. Background to written assignment

1.2. Mark scheme

[Samples shown below]

THE WRITTEN COMPONENT

The written assignment will take the form of a report of about 1000 – 1200 words based on the common modules.

These are:

Safety Health & Welfare

Introduction to Computer

Impact of Technology on Society

G.HEMMINGS

Candidates are to demonstrate their full understanding of the concepts relating to these modules. They should

produce a report that uses word-processing technology. Candidates may also use other software packages

(Spreadsheets or databases) to do any analysis that may be necessary to enhance the presentation of the report.

The report should be a critical analysis of a particular institution, business or theme that has relation or relevance to

the Unit(s) or Subject(s) being studied. It is suggested that one of two approaches be used.

1. Industrial visits

Preparation of a report on a visit to an industry or industrial site.

2. A report on a particular theme that is relevant to the Unit(s) or Subject(s) being studied, for example,

– Transport – road, air, rail or water;

– Communication;

– Manufacturing;

– Service industry.

The report should include drawings, and photographs, wherever these are relevant, in addition to the written

material. The report should address the areas listed below.

– The jobs or careers involved in the particular institution or theme that relate to the Unit(s) or Subject(s)

being studied.

– The norms, regulations and codes of which employees in these areas must be aware and to which they

must adhere, because of legal, financial, strategic or other considerations.

– The impact of technology on the careers identified and the processes involved as they relate to the

Unit(s) or Subject(s) being studied, for example, employment vs. unemployment, self-

employment, security considerations, methods of processing and environmental

considerations.

– Ethical and moral considerations. A critical look at the environmental issues, employment practices and

safety, health and welfare issues as they are addressed.

3. If the candidate is studying:

(i) One Unit or Subject only, the report should address the areas listed in point 2 above which are relevant to that

Unit only.

(ii) Two or more Units or Subjects, the report should address the areas listed in point 2 above which are relevant to

ALL the Units being studied.

G.HEMMINGS

INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGYFurther Breakdown of Criteria for Mark Scheme for

Written Assignment and Marks Allocated CRITERIA MARK TOTAL

MARKINTRODUCTION • Topic outlined briefly • Methods or approach at data collection/handling

CONTENT • Identifies 1. careers 2. norms/regulations/codesImpact of technology on careers 1. Employment/unemployment 2. Security or Processing 3. Environmental • How ethical and moral considerations are addressed 1. Legal policies on safety health and welfare 2. Moral approaches to handling safety health and welfare issues PRESENTATION • Data presentation Use of appropriate 1. tables/charts/diagrams 2. photographs

Word-processing format Use of appropriate 1. title/headings and subheadings 2. line spacing 3. margins and justification 4. fonts a) headings and subheadings b) size and colour

SUMMARY Major findings • Recommendations

COMMUNICATION OF INFORMATION • Communicates information in a logical way using

correct grammar and appropriate jargon of the field All of the time

• Communicates information in a logical way using correct grammar and appropriate jargon of the field MOST of the time

• Communicates information in a logical way using correct grammar and appropriate jargon of the field SOME of the time Communicates information in a logical way using correct grammar and appropriate jargon of the field RARELY.

11

11111

1

1

11

111

11

11

10 – 12

7 - 9

4 – 6

1 - 3

2

7

7

2

12

G.HEMMINGS

TOTAL 30

HEADING

Marks per unit or subject

1 2 3

INTRODUCTION

CONTENT

Careers, norms, regulations and codes

Impact of technology

Ethical and moral considerations

PRESENTATION

SUMMARY

COMMUNICATION OF INFORMATION

2

3

3

3

9

3

7

2

2

3

2

7

2

12

2

2

3

2

7

2

12

TOTAL 30 30 30

*Table outlining the breakdown of marks for students completing one, two or three units/subject.

G.HEMMINGS

Interpreting guides and mark scheme

It is important to note that unless the report is prepared according to the guides and mark scheme given,

students will find it difficult to score points for this component. As such strict adherence to the

instructions given through the documents above is critical to the successful completion of this piece.

INTRODUCTION OF THE WRITTEN ASSIGNMENT

The introduction of the written assignment consists of two areas, namely:

1. Topic outlined briefly and,

2. Methods/approach at data collection.

Based on the breakdown of the mark scheme the introduction asks for two specific pieces of information

and values 2 marks, one for each. It is therefore unnecessary for candidates to be lengthy in this section.

Example

1. The manufacturing of ordinary Portland cement at Carib Cement Jamaica Limited. (1 mark)

2. The following approaches were taken in gathering the data:

i. A guided tour of the plant

ii. Video presentations

iii. Use of questionnaires

iv. Interviews conducted with personnel (1 mark)

CONTENT

As outlined in the mark scheme, candidates are required to identify the different careers at the industry

that they have visited. In the case of the theme approach, candidates will naturally identify those careers

associated with that area of specialization also including support staff that would aid in the successful

G.HEMMINGS

running of such an establishment. All candidates are required to do here is to list the careers. Evidently

only one mark is allotted for this section. Creative ways could also be employed if so desired by

candidates to present this information. E.g. Organizational charts.

The norms, regulations and codes to which employees must be aware and to which they must

adhere because of legal, financial, strategic or other consideration.

Again this other item values only one mark on the mark scheme, hence candidates are not expected to be

lengthy. A good approach to take here is to break down the heading in order to sufficiently address each

component. Example:

Norms

Norms speak to the customary operation of the plant and especially employees from the time of ‘check in’

to the time of ‘check out’. The operations here could be itemized with an indication of the time in which

they are carried out.

E.g.:

1) Employees check in at security post for processing ----------------- 8:30 AM

2) Employees report to departments. ------------------------------------- 9:00 AM

Regulations

Regulations speak to the set of rules to which employees must adhere. These rules must be linked to the

daily operations carried out by employees. In presentation these regulations could be tabulated with

possible photographs of signs mounted on the plant. NOTE: There are points allotted separately for

pictures, tables and charts.

Codes could also be addressed at this point. These can be described as a systematic set of laws which

quite often govern both behavior and safety. Pictures of codes identified on site could also be used to

enhance presentation.

Impact of Technology on Careers

G.HEMMINGS

The impact of technology is essentially seeking to identify the negatives and positives of the use of the

equipment on the plant (especially if newly introduced) and the effect that these have on the existing

careers. However, candidates are required to speak specifically to the impact as it relates to the following

areas:

1) Employment vs. unemployment

2) Security or processing

3) Environmental

If an actual tour of an industrial plant was conducted then the information needed in this section could be

collected with the aid of interviews, questionnaires or observation of operations. If the report was

completed from a theme then candidates would naturally identify possible effects that could arise as a

result of the introduction of new technology.

As it relates to employment vs. unemployment, candidates are required to say whether jobs have been

lost or jobs have been gained as a result of the introduction of technology.

In terms of security or processing, candidates will select one of these and identify technological

features/devices that are used in these areas striking a comparison with manual methods which were

previously employed.

Industrial plants are popularly known to have a deleterious effect on the environment especially where

the emission of waste is concern. The candidate at this point is to explain what technological feature if

any is used to control these emissions and elaborate briefly on its effectiveness.

How ethical and moral considerations are addressed

This section speaks specifically to two areas, these are:

1) Legal polices on safety, health and welfare.

2) Moral approach in handling safety, health and welfare.

A legal policy in this context can be defined as a prudent course of action employed by an organization.

This prudent course of action seeks to outline how situations/developments are handled within the

G.HEMMINGS

establishment. At point 1) above candidates are required to list the legal policies employed by the

establishment/industrial plant which address safety, health and welfare. These policies may vary from

organization to organization but in this case could include:

1) A safety and health policy.

2) Welfare policy developed through the human and resource department in the establishment.

(Information below seeks to give further details on safety and health. Kindly peruse)

Safety and Health policies Safe and healthy working conditions do not happen by chance. Employers need to have a written safety policy

for their enterprise setting out the safety and health standards which should be their objective to achieve. The

policy should name the senior executive who is responsible for seeing that the standards are achieved, and

who has authority to allocate responsibilities to management and supervisors at all levels and to see they are

carried out.

The safety policy should deal with the following matters:

1) Arrangements for training at all levels. Particular attention needs to be given to key workers such as

scaffolders and crane operators whose mistakes can be especially dangerous to other workers;

2) safe methods or systems of work for hazardous operations: the workers carrying out these operations

should be involved in their preparation;

3) the duties and responsibilities of supervisors and key workers;

4) arrangements by which information on safety and health is to be made known;

5) arrangements for setting up safety committees;

6) the selection and control of subcontractors.

G.HEMMINGS

Safety organization and management (policies) must cover all aspects of the employer’s or the contractor’s operations

Moral Approach in handling safety, health and welfare

G.HEMMINGS

Moral approach in handling safety, health and welfare has to do with how employees are treated by the

establishment. Candidates at this point will identify the initiatives within the organization/establishment

which have been developed for employees under the heading of safety, health and welfare. These could

include:

1) Health care for employees and family.

2) Provision of safety equipment for employees.

3) Insurance packages for employees.

PRESENTATION

Seven points are allotted for presentation and in order for students to score maximum they must meet all

the requirements outlined in the mark scheme. Keen attention must be placed on the use of tables, charts,

pictures and diagrams to present data. The instrument selected can be used to represent any data that the

student wishes to highlight. All areas to be addressed under introduction and content should be treated as

headings and subheadings thus improving the presentation of the report.

COMMUNICATION OF INFORMATION

This area deals with the communication of information in a logical way using correct grammar and

appropriate jargon of the field. All of twelve marks are allotted to this area and as such teacher is

expected to monitor students closely ensuring that all the requirements outlined are adhered to as much as

possible.

SUMMARY

This segment of the report carries (2 marks). These are separated evenly between two areas:

1) Major findings

2) Recommendations

Major Findings

G.HEMMINGS

This is where students will highlight any area of plant operation that they might consider to be

outstanding. This could include new technology which leads to greater efficiency.

Recommendation

This is where students identify possible strategies/initiatives which could serve to improve operations in

the areas of concern.

G.HEMMINGS