Construction Studies

Introduction Content of Day Overview of Construction Studies Development of Construction Studies to date Cohort of students taking subject Performance of students Structure of course Components of Construction Studies Syllabus Theory Syllabus Sources of information Strategies for teaching Teaching methodologies

Introduction Practical Skills Test Syllabus summary Skills and techniques required Planning a course Chief Examiner’s Report Systematic approach Marking Scheme Practical Coursework General organisation SEC documentation Project Selection Types of projects Exemplar project work Marking Scheme Experiments

Structure of Day 9-30. Introduction and Overview of Construction Studies 11-00. Tea/Coffee 11-15. Theory 12-45. Lunch 1-45. Practical Skills Test 2-45. Practical Coursework 4-20. Evaluation So why

Overview Construction Studies The current syllabus is in placed since 1984 and first examined in 1986. Architectural Technology was developed to replace Construction Studies but plans for its implementation have been shelved indefinitely. Approximately 8,500 candidates take construction studies each year. This is 23% of the Leaving Certificate cohort . On average 6-7% of these candidates are Female.

Overview The syllabus is examined at two levels- higher and ordinary. The current examination, higher and ordinary level comprises of three components Written examination Practical coursework Practical skills test Two components are examined at a common level only. The weighting of each component is different at both levels.

Performance of Students Approximately 79% of Construction Studies students take higher level each year with 21% opting for ordinary level. Performance of Students – Higher Level

Performance of Students

Performance of Students

Time Allocation Task: Considering the above information and your own experience what proportion of the time available should be allocated to each component Theory Practical Coursework Practical Skills Test

Teaching Construction Studies As an effective teacher of Construction Studies you are expected to Familiarise yourself with the syllabus Plan and develop a scheme of work that is appropriate to the syllabus and is cognisicent of arrangements within your school. Implement the scheme Plan and structure each lesson Assess students progress and give feedback Reflect on your performance in the classroom Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. Albert Einstein

Teaching Construction Studies Compare the achievements of your students with the national standard in construction studies. Make appropriate changes – and not only when necessary !! Review all publications relating to construction studies such as, Looking at MTW and CS produced by the inspectorate within the DES and the Chief Examiner’s Report for construction studies, available on the SEC website-www.examinations.ie

Teaching Construction Studies Read and implement all instructions relating to Construction Studies issued by the State Examinations Commission Develop your own knowledge and skills, both technical and educational. This can be achieved by attending PDST or NCTE professional development or attending courses related to the broader subject area, becoming an examiner with the SEC, a member of the TTA, or simply liaising with colleagues.

Structure of Construction Studies Course The challenge for teachers is to design a structure for Construction Studies that accommodates their often unique arrangements. There are certain conditions which are defined Three Components Two year programme 165 school days/ 33 weeks in each year Five Periods per week- two double periods and a single are recommended Practical coursework completed by end of April Practical Skills Test in early May Theory exam in June

Structure of Construction Studies Course How much time is allocated to each component of the syllabus? Task: Assuming that all timetabled classes are in a Construction Studies room, design a structure for a Construction Studies course considering the time allocation for each component determined previously.