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.
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
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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
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
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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, selfemployment, 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.

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INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY
Further Breakdown of Criteria for Mark Scheme for
Written Assignment and Marks Allocated
CRITERIA

MARK

TOTAL
MARK

INTRODUCTION
Topic outlined briefly
Methods or approach at data collection/handling

1
1

CONTENT
Identifies
1. careers
2. norms/regulations/codes
Impact 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

7
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
7
1
1

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

1
1
1

SUMMARY
Major findings
Recommendations

1
1

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.
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1
1

12
10 12
7-9
46
1-3

TOTAL

Marks per unit or subject

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30

Careers, norms,
regulations and codes

Impact of technology

Ethical and moral

considerations

PRESENTATION

SUMMARY

COMMUNICATION OF
INFORMATION

12

12

30

30

30

HEADING

INTRODUCTION
CONTENT

TOTAL

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

Interpreting guides and mark scheme

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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
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.
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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
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
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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
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

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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.

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Safety organization and management (policies) must cover all aspects of the employers or the contractors operations

Moral Approach in handling safety, health and welfare

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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

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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.

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