In the Senior Phase of the school (S4,S5 and S6), the Technology Department offers a range of courses with a strong emphasis on developing skills for the future and links to Further Education and careers.

The following courses are available for Senior students:

• National 4 & 5 Graphic Communication  
• National 4 & 5 Practical Woodwork
• Higher & Advanced Higher Graphic Communication 
• Vocational Woodwork

National 4/5 – Graphic Communication  

Course Description 

This course introduces pupils to the variety of presentation methods employed in Graphic Communication . Pupils will have opportunities to gain skills in reading, interpreting, and creating Graphic Communication. Pupils will initiate, develop and communicate ideas graphically; developing an awareness of Graphic Communication as an international language. This is a practical course, combining creativity and designing, whilst considering factors that impact on graphic design. Pupils will initiate and produce simple preliminary, production and promotional graphics (Three P’s) in straightforward, familiar and some new contexts. It also allows pupils to consider how technologies have impacted on the world of the designer. The course will be delivered through a series of design assignments. 

Skills Development 

The aims of the course are to allow learners to develop:

• Skills in Graphic Communication   techniques, including the use of equipment and graphics materials
• A knowledge of a range of computer-aided graphics techniques and practice
• Skills in using software associated with the production of 2D and 3D graphics
• A knowledge and understanding of Graphic Communication   standards, protocols and conventions; and the ability to apply these to familiar and new contexts
• An understanding of how Graphic Communication   technologies impact on our environment and society
• Design skills when developing solutions to simple graphics tasks (with some complex features)
• A knowledge of colour, illustration and presentation techniques in familiar and some unfamiliar contexts
• The ability to take initiative in evaluating work and applying suggestions for improvement in presentation
• Visual literacy by interpreting simple but unfamiliar Graphic Communication

National 4/5 – Practical Woodworking

Course Description

This is a practical course, which combines elements of technique and standard practice with elements of creativity.  The course provides opportunities for learners to gain practical woodworking skills and to use a variety of tools, equipment and materials.  It allows them to plan for the completion of a finished wooden product.  This course would suit learners with an interest in crafts and practical woodworking.  The course is structured to cover fundamental woodworking skills in a progressive fashion. The course includes skills in measuring, marking out, cutting and jointing techniques.

Skills Development

The aims of the course are to allow learners to develop:

• Skills in woodworking techniques, measuring and marking out a variety of timber and sheet materials
• Skills in the correct use of tools, equipment and a range of processes and techniques
• Safe working practices in workshop environments
• Skills in reading and following simple woodworking drawings and diagrams.
• Practical creativity and problem-solving skills
• Knowledge of sustainability issues in a practical woodworking context
• Better psychomotor skills and opportunities to build self-confidence
• Thinking, numeracy, employability, enterprise and citizenship skills – in particular, skills in: planning and organising work, working independently and in collaboration with others, communication and self and peer evaluation

Higher – Graphic Communication  

Course Description

This Course is intended to develop the learner’s knowledge, understanding and set of skills related to Graphic Communication. It will enable the learner to initiate, develop and communicate ideas and solutions using graphic techniques in 2D and 3D. Pupils will develop their presentation skills through the use of analysis and evaluative skills. Both Units also develop transferable skills — application, creativity, numeracy and ICT. Pupils will develop skills in Graphic Communication   techniques, including the use of equipment, graphics materials and software. They should also apply their creativity in the production of Graphic Communications to produce visual impact in meeting a specified purpose. An understanding of Graphic Communication standards, protocols and conventions will need to be displayed alongside an understanding of the impact of Graphic Communication   technologies on our environment and society.

Skills Development

The aims of the course are to allow pupils to develop:

• replicating graphic forms in 2D, 3D and pictorial representations
• applying standards, protocols and conventions in straightforward but unfamiliar contexts
• initiating, planning and producing preliminary, production, promotional, and informational graphics
• applying graphic design skills, including creativity, when developing solutions to graphics tasks
• understanding the application of colour, illustration and presentation techniques
• critically reviewing graphics work as it progresses and evaluating completed task work
• extending visual literacy by interpreting unfamiliar Graphic Communications
• extending graphic spatial awareness in unfamiliar 2D, 3D and pictorial graphic situations
• selecting, managing, and using Graphic Communication equipment, software and materials effectively
• understanding a broad range of computer-aided graphics techniques including commercial practice
• an understanding of the impact of Graphic Technologies on our environment and society

Advanced Higher –  Graphic Communication   

The course aims to allow candidates to develop both manual and computer graphic skills and understanding beyond those involved in Higher Graphic Communication. This will provide the pupil with an insight into the way in which information presented graphically is an integral part of communication throughout business and industry as well as in the consumer environment. Experience will be gained of evaluating the effectiveness of visual communication that will enable the pupil to apply principles of composition in the production of computer produced presentation.

The course consists of three mandatory Units:

•    Technical Graphics
•    Computer-Aided 3D Modelling Visualisation and Presentation
•    Computer-Aided Graphic Presentation

Skill Development 

• use of equipment, graphics materials and software
• demonstrate creativity in the production of Graphic Communications to produce visual impact in meeting a specified purpose
• evaluate the effectiveness of graphics in communicating and meeting their purpose
• develop an understanding of Graphic Communication   standards protocols and conventions, where these apply
• develop an understanding of the impact of Graphic Communication technologies on our environment and society

Carpentry Skills – Internally Assessed school based course.

In this course Students will work through a series of advanced woodwork units and complete models which will increase their breadth and knowledge of woodworking practice.

Student will complete the following units:

• Jewellery box – Carcase Construction
• Stepping Stool – Frame Construction
• Pedestal table – Machining and Finishing

The final project is a Cabinet with Panelled Doors which combines all the all 3 construction technique learned in previous units.

Internal Assessment

Each Unit will have a log book to be completed by the students which will reinforce the methods and techniques practiced during manufacture of the model.

The Units will be internally assessed as pass or fail by the class teacher and another suitable member of staff. The units will be assessed October, December, February  and March/April.

There is no Exam for this course.

Skills Development

• Skills in woodworking techniques, measuring and marking out a variety of timber
• Skills in the correct use of tools, equipment and a range of processes and techniques
• Safe working practices in workshop environments
• Skills in reading and following woodworking drawings and diagrams.
• Practical creativity and problem-solving skills
• Better psychomotor skills and opportunities to build self-confidence
• Thinking, numeracy, employability, enterprise and citizenship skills – in particular, skills in: planning and organising work, working independently and in collaboration with others, communication and self and peer evaluation.