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Internal Assessment is an integral part of student assessment in the course covered by this syllabus. It is intended to assist students in acquiring certain knowledge, skills and attitudes that are associated with the subject. The activities for the Internal Assessment are linked to the syllabus and should form part of the learning activities to enable the student to achieve the objectives of the syllabus.

During the course of study for the subject, students obtain marks for the competence they develop and demonstrate in undertaking their Internal Assessment assignments. These marks contribute to the final marks and grades that are awarded to students for their performance in the examination.

The guidelines provided in this syllabus for selecting appropriate tasks are intended to assist teachers and students in selecting assignments that are valid for the purpose of Internal Assessment. The guidelines provided for the assessment of the assignments are intended to assist teachers in awarding marks that are reliable estimates of the achievement of students in the Internal Assessment component of the course. In order to ensure that the scores awarded by teachers are consistent with the CXC standards, the Council undertakes the moderation of a sample of the Internal Assessment assignments marked by each teacher. Internal Assessment provides an opportunity to individualise a part of the curriculum to meet the needs of students. It facilitates feedback to the student at various stages of the experience. This helps to build the self- confidence of students as they proceed with their studies. Internal Assessment also facilitates the development of the critical skills and abilities emphasised by this CAPE subject and enhances the validity of the examination on which candidate performance is reported. Internal Assessment, therefore, makes a significant and unique contribution to both the development of relevant skills and the testing and rewarding of students for the development of those skills.

The Caribbean Examinations Council seeks to ensure that the Internal Assessment scores are valid and reliable estimates of accomplishment. The guidelines provided in this syllabus are intended to assist in doing so.

1. Presentation of Project

The aims of the project are to: (i) promote self learning;

(ii) provide opportunity for teachers to engage in the formative assessment of their students;

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(iii) provide opportunity for students to demonstrate their practical, experimental and investigative skills developed in the Unit;

(iv) explore more fully, some areas of the Unit which may not be assessed adequately in an external examination.

2. Requirements

The reporting of results in Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations is by Unit and Module and, as a result, each Project must cover the three Modules for the particular Unit. It is the responsibility of the teacher to conceptualise the Project to be done for the Unit. Using this conceptualised Project, the student is then required to develop his/her individual project-idea with the teacher acting as advisor. It is strongly advised that students complete the project definition early in the coverage of a Unit and certainly before completing 50% of the material in Module 2 of that Unit. In order to satisfy the objectives, students will be required to produce a physical circuit of some utility and to demonstrate the practical, experimental and investigative skills developed in the Unit.

Each Project to be completed must be based on a single Unit, but should encompass knowledge, topics, concepts, skills and procedures contained in all Modules within the specific Unit.

3. Guidelines for Project Definition and Implementation

(i) There must be one Project per Unit.

(ii) Each Project must be based solely on information delivered in that particular Unit. (iii) The Project must use information from all three Modules of the particular Unit. The

teacher must advise the students of the required Project to be done at the start of Module 1.

(iv) After discussion with the teacher the project-idea must be approved by the teacher for implementation by the student.

(v) The teacher is responsible for ensuring that the student’s Project satisfies item (iii) above and can be implemented in the time frame with the physical resources available. (vi) Although the Project is the responsibility of the student, it is essential that the teacher

meets regularly (at least once a week) with the student so as to provide continual guidance. At the end of these student-teacher sessions, the teacher should sign the student’s Project Activity Record Book after noting what guidelines have been given to the student.

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4. Project Planning and Implementation

Students should:

(i) prepare a written statement, clearly articulating the need, problem or purpose of the experiment;

(ii) write the methodology or approach to satisfy the need, solve the problem or carry out the experiment;

(iii) develop the project scope and functional specifications;

(iv) acquire, label and maintain a Project Activity Record Book, which should include a record of the following:

(a) the statement of need, problem definition or purpose of the experiment; (b) the approach or method statement;

(c) sketches, diagrams and pictures;

(d) design process, lab procedures and calculations;

(e) resources including tools, equipment and components used; (f) specifications;

(g) problems, constraints, difficulties and limitations; (h) test and troubleshooting procedures and results. (v) prepare a final report of the project which should include:

(a) the report purpose;

(b) statement of need, problem definition or purpose of the experiment; (c) project scope and specifications;

(d) methodology or approach; (e) design and construction details;

(f) summary of tests and troubleshooting procedures; (g) testing and troubleshooting results;

(h) verification of scope and specifications;

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(i) constraints and difficulties;

(j) conclusion and recommendations.

(k) Project allocation form signed by the teacher.

5. Mark Allocation for Project

Marks will be awarded for the project based on the criteria listed below (see detailed mark scheme on pages 43-44).

(i) Management of the Project - 05

(ii) Practical Skills - 20

(iii) The Written Report - 35

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