The following assessment criteria have been established by the IBO for
technology in the MYP. The final assessment required for IBO-validated grades and certification at the end of the MYP must
be based on these assessment criteria.
Criterion A |
Investigate |
Maximum 6 |
Criterion B |
Design |
Maximum 6 |
Criterion C |
Plan |
Maximum 6 |
Criterion D |
Create |
Maximum 6 |
Criterion E |
Evaluate |
Maximum 6 |
Criterion F |
Attitudes in technology |
Maximum 6 |
For each assessment criterion, a number of band descriptors are defined.
These describe a range of achievement levels with the lowest represented as 0.
The criteria are equally weighted.
The descriptors concentrate on positive achievement, although failure
to achieve may be included in the description for the lower levels.
Detailed descriptions of the assessment criteria and band descriptors
follow.
Criterion A: investigate
Maximum 6
Investigation is an essential stage in the design cycle. Students are
expected to identify the problem, develop a design brief and formulate a design specification. Students are expected to acknowledge
the sources of information and document these appropriately.
Achievement
level |
Descriptor |
0 |
The student does not reach a standard
described by any of the descriptors given below. |
1–2 |
The student states the problem. The student investigates the problem, collecting
information from sources. The student lists some specifications. |
3–4 |
The student describes the problem, mentioning its relevance.
The student investigates the problem, selecting and analysing information
from some acknowledged sources. The student describes a test to evaluate the product/solution
against the design specification. |
5–6 |
The student explains the problem, discussing its relevance.
The student critically investigates the problem, evaluating information
from a broad range of appropriate,
acknowledged sources. The student describes detailed
methods for appropriate testing to evaluate the product/solution
against the design specification. |
Design brief: The student’s response to the challenge, showing how they intend to solve the problem they have been presented
with. This will guide their investigation as they work to develop a more detailed design specification.
Design specification: A detailed description of the conditions, requirements and restrictions with which a design must
comply. This is a precise and accurate list of facts such as conditions, dimensions, materials, process and methods that are
important for the designer and for the user. All appropriate solutions will need to comply with the design specification.
Criterion B: design
Maximum 6
Students are expected to generate several feasible designs that meet the
design specification and to evaluate these against the design specification.
Students are then expected to select one design, justify their choice
and evaluate this in detail against the design specification.
Achievement
level |
Descriptor |
0 |
The student does not reach a standard
described by any of the descriptors given below. |
1–2 |
The student generates one design, and makes some attempt to
justify this against the design specification. |
3–4 |
The student generates a few designs, justifying
the choice of one design and fully evaluating this against the design specification. |
5–6 |
The student generates a range of feasible designs,
each evaluated against the design specification. The student justifies
the chosen design and evaluates it fully and critically against the
design specification. |
Criterion C: plan
Maximum 6
Students are expected to construct a plan to create their chosen product/solution
that has a series of logical steps, and that makes effective use of resources and time.
Students are expected to evaluate the plan and justify any modifications
to the design.
Achievement
level |
Descriptor |
0 |
The student does not reach a standard
described by any of the descriptors given below. |
1–2 |
The student produces a plan that contains
some details of the steps and/or the resources required. |
3–4 |
The student produces a plan that contains
a number of logical steps that include resources and time. The student
makes some attempt to evaluate the plan. |
5–6 |
The student produces a plan that contains
a number of detailed, logical
steps that describe the use of resources and time. The student critically evaluates the plan and justifies any modifications
to the design. |
Criterion D: create
Maximum 6
Students are expected to document, with a series of photographs or a video
and a dated record, the process of making their product/solution, including when and how they use tools, materials and techniques.
Students are expected to follow their plan, to evaluate the plan and to justify any changes they make to the plan while they
are creating the product/solution.
Students will sometimes embark upon a very ambitious project, or they
may encounter unforeseen circumstances. In some circumstances a product/solution that is incomplete or does not function fully
can still achieve one of the levels awarded for this criterion.
Achievement
level |
Descriptor |
0 |
The student does not reach a standard
described by any of the descriptors given below. |
1–2 |
The student considers the plan and creates
at least part of a product/solution. |
3–4 |
The student uses appropriate techniques and equipment. The student follows the plan and mentions any modifications made, resulting in a product/solution of good quality. |
5–6 |
The student competently uses appropriate techniques and equipment. The student follows the plan and justifies any modifications made, resulting in a product/solution of appropriate quality using the resources available. |
Appropriate quality: This is the best product/solution that the student can produce, taking into account the resources available,
the skills and techniques they have used, their educational development, how the product/solution addresses the identified
need, and aspects of safety and ergonomics.
Criterion E: evaluate
Maximum 6
Students are expected to evaluate the product/solution against the design
specification in an objective manner based on testing, and to evaluate its impact on life, society and/or the environment.
They are expected to explain how the product/solution could be improved as a result of these evaluations.
Students are expected to evaluate their own performance at each stage
of the design cycle and to suggest ways in which their performance could be improved.
Achievement
level |
Descriptor |
0 |
The student does not reach a standard
described by any of the descriptors given below. |
1–2 |
The student evaluates the product/solution
or his or her own performance. The student makes some attempt to test the product/solution. |
3–4 |
The student evaluates the product/solution
and his or her own performance and suggests ways in which these could
be improved. The student tests the product/solution to evaluate it
against the design specification. |
5–6 |
The student evaluates the success of
the product/solution in an objective manner based on the results of testing,
and the views of the intended users. The student provides an evaluation
of his or her own performance at each stage of the design cycle and
suggests improvements. The student provides an appropriate evaluation of the impact
of the product/solution on life, society and/or the environment. |
Product testing: A stage in the design process where versions of products (for example, prototypes) are tested against
the need, applied to the context and presented to the end-user or target audience.
Criterion F: attitudes in technology
Maximum 6
This criterion refers to students’ attitudes when working in technology.
It focuses on an overall assessment of two aspects:
·
personal engagement (motivation, independence, general
positive attitude)
·
attitudes towards safety, cooperation and respect for
others.
By their very nature these qualities are difficult to quantify and assess,
and assessment should therefore take into account the context in which the unit of work was undertaken.
Achievement
level |
Descriptor |
0 |
The student does not reach a standard
described by any of the descriptors given below. |
1–2 |
The student occasionally displays a satisfactory standard in one
of the aspects listed above. |
3–4 |
The student frequently displays a satisfactory standard in both
of the aspects listed above. |
5–6 |
The student consistently displays a satisfactory standard in both
of the aspects listed above. |