Answering Exam Questions to get the Maximum Marks ~ Exam Techniques

It is important, as we have all said many many times, that you actually answer the questions that are asked in an exam. Unfortunately many candidates don’t do this and thus loose out on marks that they could be awarded.

Example 1:

Question: Name two types of ICT that would/could be used in the DESIGN of a computer workstation.

The key words are ICT and DESIGN the answer MUST have these in it! So you might use a software DESIGN package or a modelling package to look at the DESIGN.

Don’t mention manufacturing because the question did not ask about that.  Computer Aided Manufacture is not an appropriate answer!

Please make sure that read the questions carefully

Example 2:

Question: Write a detailed specification for a computer workstation.

The question asks for the specification for the workstation not for a compter. Many candidates will write a specification for a computer and not the workstation.

Have a look at the detailed specification that that I have included on this blog for a computer workstation.  Heres the link to this area: http://destech.wordpress.com/2007/12/02/computer-workstations-and-safety/

Specifications should usually include reference to the following:

• Health and Safety Issues
• Ergonomics (make sure you know what this is)
• Quality of Manufacture
• Accessibility

Remember you will not be awarded marks for repeating answers that you have already given (this applies to all exams and all subjects).

Sketching and Annotation:

Make sure that you show the examiner that you can draw solutions. High quality sketches enable you to have access to higher level marks and communicate quickly and easily. Don’t draw small scrapy drawings. Use some colour and annotate your drawings clearly.

Timber conversion

Once a tree is felled it needs to be cut into boards this is called conversion. This video shows a tree trunk being cut into boards using a very large bandsaw.  Sometimes a chainsaw is used on a similar rig.

Joining things together

TIMBER:

There are many different ways of making joints in timber. The method used will depend on the function of the product, the strength required and the quality of the product. Temporary fixings will often be done using fastening components such screws or bolts. More permanent joints can be achieved with glue (adhesives), or with screws.

Introduction

This part of the blog is to introduce you to my favourite designers and designs which have inspired me. Please be aware that this my personal opinion!

So to kick off my favourite designers with Philippe Starck. I am also a great fan of all of Alessi’s designs owning serveral myself.

The first design of Alessi that I actually owned as a kettle which I fell in love with while at university. Its te lovely AmTrac train whistle that gets me everytime I hear it blow!

Design Methods

There are many ways of working from the design problem (the need) through to the finished design product (physical object).

However most will follow a very similar route.  If you watch something like Dragons Den on BBC 2 then you will be able to see many products and services which have developed from very real needs.

Dragons Den ideas might inspire you to push your designs further! You could get yourself on Dragons Den (you wouldn’t be the first school pupil to do so!)

More often than not the need has come from personal experience or needs of the individual. They have seen something and thought they can solve the problem. Not everyone can do this and they frequently fail because they don;t have the skills or ability to see the design through the whole process.

Trained designers should have the skills to take and idea and work it through to a prototype for testing and then finally through to a finished, marketable product.

Identifying the need in the first place is often the hardest or somethings the easiest thing to do! You might think that the product that you have is the best thing ever (lots of the entrants to DD think this) but other people might not be able to see the need or use for the product.

You only have to look at some of the products in ‘gadget catalogues’ to realise that many designs are unnessessary for most of us.

The clip here is of a teaching product which as a teacher I could not see why anyone (including teachers) would want to buy it! Most teachers that I know make their own teaching aids and would not pay the kind of money that is being suggested here. The Dragons were right this would not make any money for them or the designer!

The basic design process:

• Need 
• Investigate Solutions Available
• Solutions
• Realisation
• Testing
• Solved

The Need: This is actually realising that there is a problem to be solved. 

Lets take the idea of being hungry.  We realise one way or another that we are hungry. So what do we do about it? There are many solutions to this problem of course.

Investigate the Solutions Available: Research takes many forms and will be different for different products. Sometimes just looking at the problem and how others might have solved might be the only thing you need to do but this is unlikely.

  This is one of the most pointless gadgets available on the market this year!  Mmmm and such a bargin at £20 plus p&p!

Computer workstations and safety

You will need to be aware of the kind of issues which affect the design and use of workstaions. Below is a link to an Amercian site which contains very useful information and advice.

http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/computerworkstations/ 

This checklist can help you create a safe and comfortable computer workstation. You can also use it in conjunction with the purchasing guide checklist. A “no” response indicates that a problem may exist.

WORKING POSTURES–The workstation is designed or arranged for doing computer tasks so it allows your	Y	N
1. Head and neck to be upright, or in-line with the torso (not bent down/back). If “no” refer to Monitors, Chairs and Work Surfaces.
2. Head, neck, and trunk to face forward (not twisted). If “no” refer to Monitors or Chairs.
3. Trunk to be perpendicular to floor (may lean back into backrest but not forward).  If “no” refer to Chairs or Monitors.
4. Shoulders and upper arms to be in-line with the torso, generally about perpendicular to the floor and relaxed (not elevated or stretched forward). If “no” refer to Chairs.
5. Upper arms and elbows to be close to the body (not extended outward). If “no” refer to Chairs, Work Surfaces, Keyboards, and Pointers.
6. Forearms, wrists, and hands to be straight and in-line (forearm at about 90 degrees to the upper arm). If “no” refer to Chairs, Keyboards, Pointers.
7. Wrists and hands to be straight (not bent up/down or sideways toward the little finger).  If “no” refer to Keyboards, or Pointers
8. Thighs to be parallel to the floor and the lower legs to be perpendicular to floor (thighs may be slightly elevated above knees). If “no” refer to Chairs or Work Surfaces.
9. Feet rest flat on the floor or are supported by a stable footrest. If “no” refer to Chairs, Work Surfaces.
SEATING–Consider these points when evaluating the chair:	Y	N
10. Backrest provides support for your lower back (lumbar area).
11. Seat width and depth accommodate the specific user (seat pan not too big/small).
12. Seat front does not press against the back of your knees and lower legs (seat pan not too long).
13. Seat has cushioning and is rounded with a “waterfall” front (no sharp edge).
14. Armrests, if used, support both forearms while you perform computer tasks and they do not interfere with movement.
“No” answers to any of these questions should prompt a review of Chairs.
KEYBOARD/INPUT DEVICE–Consider these points when evaluating the keyboard or pointing device. The keyboard/input device is designed or arranged for doing computer tasks so the	Y	N
15. Keyboard/input device platform(s) is stable and large enough to hold a keyboard and an input device.
16. Input device (mouse or trackball) is located right next to your keyboard so it can be operated without reaching.
17. Input device is easy to activate and the shape/size fits your hand (not too big/small).
18. Wrists and hands do not rest on sharp or hard edges.
“No” answers to any of these questions should prompt a review of Keyboards, Pointers, or Wrist Rests.
MONITOR–Consider these points when evaluating the monitor. The monitor is designed or arranged for computer tasks so the	Y	N
19. Top of the screen is at or below eye level so you can read it without bending your head or neck down/back.
20. User with bifocals/trifocals can read the screen without bending the head or neck backward.
21. Monitor distance allows you to read the screen without leaning your head, neck or trunk forward/backward.
22. Monitor position is directly in front of you so you don’t have to twist your head or neck.
23. Glare (for example, from windows, lights) is not reflected on your screen which can cause you to assume an awkward posture to clearly see information on your screen.
“No” answers to any of these questions should prompt a review of Monitors or Lighting/Glare.
WORK AREA–Consider these points when evaluating the desk and workstation. The work area is designed or arranged for doing computer tasks so the	Y	N
24. Thighs have sufficient clearance space between the top of the thighs and your computer table/keyboard platform (thighs are not trapped).
25. Legs and feet have sufficient clearance space under the work surface so you are able to get close enough to the keyboard/input device.
ACCESSORIES–Check to see if the	Y	N
26. Document holder, if provided, is stable and large enough to hold documents.
27. Document holder, if provided, is placed at about the same height and distance as the monitor screen so there is little head movement, or need to re-focus, when you look from the document to the screen.
28. Wrist/palm rest, if provided, is padded and free of sharp or square edges that push on your wrists.
29. Wrist/palm rest, if provided, allows you to keep your forearms, wrists, and hands straight and in-line when using the keyboard/input device.
30. Telephone can be used with your head upright (not bent) and your shoulders relaxed (not elevated) if you do computer tasks at the same time.
“No” answers to any of these questions should prompt a review of Work Surfaces, Document Holders, Wrist Rests or Telephones.
GENERAL	Y	N
31. Workstation and equipment have sufficient adjustability so you are in a safe working posture and can make occasional changes in posture while performing computer tasks.
32. Computer workstation, components and accessories are maintained in serviceable condition and function properly.
33. Computer tasks are organized in a way that allows you to vary tasks with other work activities, or to take micro-breaks or recovery pauses while at the computer workstation.
“No” answers to any of these questions should prompt a review of Chairs, Work Surfaces, or Work Processes.

Quality Control and Quality Checks

Make sure that in your project you have included a system for Quality Control or Quality Checks.

How does QC work in the real world? Sometimes when you buy a product you will find a QC label or sticker. This is a mark that the product has been ‘checked’ by or during the QC processes.

QC may happen at several stages during the manufacturing process.

If it is a food product then the ingredients may well be tested/tasted before they are combined in the manufacturing process. Food workers are often encouraged to taste food at all stages of the process to ensure that there is nothing wrong with the product.

In a physical product tests are carried out on the raw materials, the fixings, finishes, dimensions, function and performance. Sometimes safety tests will be required. You may remember the recent information in the press about safety issues with paint used on children’s toys. Several large toy companies had subcontracted work to home workers in the Far East where it is much harder to control the paints or materials used. This has cost the master company many hundreds of thousands for pounds.  Companies sometimes take huge risks with sub contractors where they have little or no

Have a look at this news report by the BBC: control.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6946425.stm  and this report from SKY news: http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30400-1279873,00.html

Why might companies do this? If they kept quiet would anyone know? What would you do?

Industrial Production Processess

The common different production methods are as follows:

one-off,

small batch,

mass or continuous production

All of these have  different design requirements, related to the differences between types of product, client expectation, and the scale of operation.

There are differences in the relationship between the designer and the client, who gives the designer their brief.

• In one-off production the designer is frequently the maker as well. The client is usually the end-user of the product, and will have high expectations about the quality of the product. The designer will nearly always have a direct relationship with the client, so it is essential that the designer is fully conversant with the end-user’s requirements.
• In batch production the process of designing is more formalised, but the number of people involved may still be quite small. The client may be the user, but is more likely to be another company who sell the product. The designer will not necessarily have any contact with the end-user of the product.
• In mass and continuous flow production the processes of designing and manufacturing are much more formal. Making of changes can become slower and far more costly. The design team are dependent on other people feeding back the end-users’ views. How might this be done?

Lets take the wheels off the cart…….why?

Some people feel that they can push other people around, why? 

Who they think they are?

Why do they think that they can do this?

I have noticed that when someone new joins an organisation there are groups who run around and support that person (supporters), there are those who deliberately try and subvert what that person is trying to do (terrorists), there are people who gripe in the corner (axis of evil) and there are those who don’t care (skins).

Has anyone else noticed this?

For example: you try and improve peoples work, they might have to learn something new but in the end they will have a better way of working and get more from what they are doing, but there are people who deliberately try to take the wheels off the cart. 

Why do they try to de-rail something? Usually because they are jealous and because they know that they couldn’t do the job themselves. I have worked with people who spend their entire time trying to subvert anything that is being done in the organisation.  For example: a memo is sent to all staff asking them to save money, to tighten their belts as far as possible. It is a fact that all organisations can save money. Over time spending gets out of control and needs to be pulled back in, thats life. The ‘terrorist’ will suggest that sending the memo was a waste of money or that they should look at turning the heating down in management areas because of all the hot air, or the food should be different etc. etc.

I’ll be back……………………