Clarification details
Updated December 2019. As a result of trialling and verification, the following information is available to assist in the assessment of Level 3 Digital Technologies standards. Clarification documents will be further developed when sufficient material has been submitted through the external moderation process. Further assessment support can also be found on TKI.
This standard requires students to use a programmable microprocessor. Arduino, Picaxe or other similar devices may be suitable. The outcome should use communication protocols.
Examples of complex techniques are given in Explanatory Note 3. These provide guidance about the expectations at level 3, and are not an exhaustive list. Assessors may need to determine other techniques that are complex. Students need to demonstrate at least two complex techniques in their electronics outcome.
Students need to construct, test and analyse functional circuits to ensure that the electronics outcome performs to specifications. Students need to explain the behaviour and function of the outcome and the communication protocols. Evidence of testing, modifying and debugging is required.
Students need to show how they have addressed the relevant implications. (There is no dedicated clarification for relevant implications at level 3. Guidance and definitions are provided in the level 2 clarification.)
For Merit, students will also need to provide evidence of how the electronics outcome was made more reliable using testing and analysis. A student could, for example, present annotated images or video.
For Excellence, iterative improvement is required throughout the design, development and testing process. Iterative improvement will involve cycles of improvements. A working outcome is required for Achieved. For Excellence, a student will use a cyclic process to develop improved outcomes. Students must also justify the choice of components, subsystems and communication protocols. There is a dedicated clarification that expands on what is meant by iterative improvement.