Practical Electronics (National 5)

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parentforumscot DEC 2017 The National Parent Forum of Scotland is grateful for the support of the Scottish Government, the Scottish Qualifications Authority and Education Scotland in the preparation of this series. NATIONALS IN A NUTSHELL The National Parent Forum of Scotland National 5 Summary Practical Electronics TECHNOLOGIES For more detailed course information: SQA: Practical Electronics National 5: www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/47460.html Education Scotland: www.education.gov.scot/nationalqualifications Curriculum for Excellence Key Terms and Features Factfile: www.education.gov.scot/parentzone/Documents/CfEFactfileOverview.pdf WHAT WILL MY CHILD EXPERIENCE DURING THE COURSE? • Active and independent learning through self and peer evaluations, group feedback, reflecting on learning, making independent decisions • A blend of classroom approaches including practical and experiential learning in real-life contexts; whole class learning; team working; investigative work • Collaborative learning: working in pairs, small groups or larger groups; working with partners in other technologies subjects, Maths and Sciences • Space for personalisation and choice: learners can choose how they develop their practical activity • Applying learning • Embedding literacy and numeracy skills: interpreting drawings/diagrams, measuring, marking out, analysing data, designing.

National 5 can progress onto a variety of Technology, Science and Skills for Work courses, or training or work

ASSESSMENT • The course will be assessed through a question paper (exam) and a practical activity, which will be graded A to D. • The question paper makes up 30% of the total assessment mark and will include restricted response questions (short answer) and extended response questions (longer, more detailed answer). The question paper is externally marked by SQA. • The practical activity makes up 30% of the total assessment mark. Learners are presented with a practical problem that they must solve using their electronic knowledge and skills. It may involve tasks such as circuit simulation, construction and testing. The practical activity is internally marked by the teacher and quality assured by SQA.

What skills will my child develop? • Electronic knowledge and skills in a range of contexts • Awareness of electronics impacts on society and the environment • Knowledge and understanding of the systems approach to electronics, including sub-systems • Understanding of key electrical concepts — current, voltage, resistance, power, analogue/digital, capacitance, magnetic effect of current • Knowledge and understanding of a range of electronic and electromagnetic components and concepts • Knowledge and understanding of combinational logic • Awareness of safe working practices • Simulating, testing and evaluating solutions to electronic problems • Skills in using a range of test equipment • The ability to construct a range of electronic circuits using permanent (soldering) and non-permanent methods NATIONAL 5