How to get a Distinction in Junior Cycle Wood Technology

By Kieran McDonagh - 10 minute read

Kieran Mcdonagh, a teacher and state examiner with over 15 years of experience, gives his tips on getting a Distinction in Junior Cycle Wood Technology. 

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Introduction

Wood technology is a very practical subject. The course focuses on developing your understanding of wood as a renewable resource in the world around you and builds your skills in using wood as a material. Wood technology really is a part of everyday life, from wood science and materials to design thinking to woodworking and to communicating effectively through the use of sketching. It really does offer it all.

I really enjoyed studying wood technology at school because I learned the steps involved in becoming a problem-solver. This is an important life skill and one that is very much sought after by employers in every profession. 

You will get a chance to be creative and use your inventive side to learn how to solve design problems, something which will really come in handy when you reach 3rd year and will be designing and making an artefact. The principles and practices you learn in the wood technology room will be just as useful in your exam, as will your knowledge of wood science and materials. In this guide, I will share with you some tips and tricks I have learned over the years of teaching wood technology to help you do the best you can do.

Common questions

How is wood technology assessed?

You will be assessed in 3 main ways in wood technology:

  • Classroom-Based Assessments (CBAs)

    As with all subjects in the Junior Cycle, wood technology students will complete two CBAs. These relate to learning outcomes and you will do them during class time in 2nd year and before you begin your coursework project in 3rd year.

  • Designing and making an artefact

    You will do this in 3rd year and it will be worth 70% of your grade.

  • The theory exam

    This is worth 30% of your final grade and covers a wide range of topics so it’s important to know how to approach it.

How do I tackle the coursework project?

The coursework project is completed in 3rd year and the brief is set and marked externally by the State Examinations Commission (SEC). The coursework project is made up of your 'my design journey' folio and your artefact. Your completed coursework is then assessed at the end of April of 3rd year.

Remember

Your coursework is worth 280 marks which is worth 70% of your final grade.  

Design journey folio marks

Marking Criteria Marks
Exploration of brief 10
Investigate 10
Generation of ideas 15
My preferred design and justification of my design 20
Working drawings and sketches 20
Evaluation and reflection 15
Total marks 90

Tips on sketching

Sketching Tips

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Practice

Make sure to practice your freehand sketching. All you need is a pencil and a piece of paper and you are ready to sketch. The best way to assess the quality of your sketch is to ask another person to describe what they see when you are finished. If they think you have drawn a metal table when it should have been a wooden chair then you know you need to go back to the drawing board.

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Sketching

Sketching is a skill and you can never practice enough. Even 10 minutes a day can make a big difference. To improve your 3D sketching techniques, there are loads of YouTube clips you can watch for a step-by-step guide to help in sketching practically anything.

Equipment

Make sure to arm yourself with the correct equipment for sketching: a 2B pencil, some colouring pencils and an eraser are all you really need.

Some sketching tips

for Junior Cycle Wood Technology.

Practice

Make sure to practice your freehand sketching. All you need is a pencil and a piece of paper and you are ready to sketch. The best way to assess the quality of your sketch is to ask another person to describe what they see when you are finished. If they think you have drawn a metal table when it should have been a wooden chair then you know you need to go back to the drawing board.

Sketching

Sketching is a skill and you can never practice enough. Even 10 minutes a day can make a big difference. To improve your 3D sketching techniques, there are loads of YouTube clips you can watch for a step-by-step guide to help in sketching practically anything.

Equipment

Make sure to arm yourself with the correct equipment for sketching: a 2B pencil, some colouring pencils and an eraser are all you really need.

Hope these help - happy sketching!

How should you approach your artefact?  

Knowing as much as possible about design and woodworking is how you will create an artefact that will get you high marks. Look wherever you can for inspiration.

Whether it's reading books and magazines, browsing websites like Pinterest, Craftgawker and Etsy or visiting your local furniture stores and craft shops, all of these will help you imagine and come up with an idea for your design when you are looking for a unique solution to the design problem you are given. 

Check out the headings below to keep yourself on track and to make sure you don’t miss out on anything.

Artefact marks

Marking Criteria Marks
Artefact satisfies brief 20
Effective use of materials, processes and techniques 20
Creativity 30
Craft, skills and techniques 60
Assembly of artefact 10
Finishing the artefact 20
Presentation 20
Total marks 190
Top tip

Create a mini 'design folio' to accompany each artefact you make. You can do this by following the headings given in my 'design journey folio' table above.

Classroom-Based Assessments

There is continuous assessment in wood technology in the form of two Classroom-Based Assessments (CBAs). These are two specific tasks which are given to you by your class teacher.

CBA 1

Title: wood science in our environment.

This provides you with the opportunity of investigating a wood science-related issue within a given context. 

CBA 2

Title: student self-analysis and evaluation.

This allows you to conduct an analysis of your coursework and skills to date in wood technology. 

Descriptors

Based on how good your CBA is, you will be awarded an assessment descriptor. These descriptors will be added to your Junior Cycle Profile of Achievement (JCPA) alongside the grade you get in your exam and project at the end of 3rd year.

The descriptor will appear as one of the following: 

  • Exceptional
  • Above expectations
  • In line with expectations
  • Yet to meet expectations
Top tip

Make sure to pick a topic you are interested in as you will get more enjoyment out of it and will produce better work. Also, don’t forget to keep evidence of the work you do in 1st and 2nd years for CBA 2. It doesn’t need to be physical so you could keep it in the form of a photo.

How to study wood technology

Wood technology is a very practical subject and this is shown in the exam. Three out of the four questions in the 2022 paper were based on artefacts that could have been made in the wood technology room. There are two main elements: 

Practical tasks 

Whenever you are doing a practical task, you should record the steps involved in the process and any new techniques you have learned in a manufacturing diary. All you have to do is sketch the tools you use, record what health and safety procedures you follow when you are using tools and machines and list what steps you took to complete it. This will all benefit you when you come to the exam.  

Learning theory

The exam will also test your knowledge of wood science and materials. Make sure you know the following topics inside out before the exam:

  • Types of trees

  • Environment and sustainability

  • Conversion and seasoning of timber

  • Preservation of timber

  • Diseases and defects

  • Manufactured boards and other materials

Theory exam

The exam is common level and lasts 90 minutes. If you finish early, make sure to recheck your answers before you leave. Blank spaces make the examiner’s job very easy so making an educated guess and putting in any answer is better than nothing. You’ll end up kicking yourself if an answer comes to you after you’ve walked out the door.

Top tip

Bring the right equipment on exam day: pens, pencils, colouring pencils, sharpener, eraser, ruler, mathematical set and calculator. You can’t call on your friend during the exam to borrow anything.

Exam timing

  • Leave some time to check your work

    Spend no more than 20 minutes on each question. This will give you 5 minutes at the start to read through the paper and 5 minutes at the end to read over your answers and check for any mistakes.

  • You don't have to answer the questions in order

    The exam has four questions that you must answer and they all carry equal marks. Don’t panic if you are not comfortable answering question 1 in the beginning. Start by answering the question you are most comfortable with (you don’t need to answer the questions in order). Deep breath, it will all be fine.

  • Be familiar with the question format

    Each question contains four parts (a, b, c and d) and they are a mix of short and long answers. You can expect notes and sketches to show up that will test you on different topics.

Exam terms

In general, the exam questions are based on the Junior Cycle learning outcomes for wood technology and it is just as important to understand what you are being asked as much as knowing the right information. Each question has an action verb which will give you an idea of what the examiner is looking for and this will help you answer it properly. 

Read through the table below and get to know these terms ahead of the exams.

Verb Description.
Apply Select and use the information to explain a given situation.
Calculate Obtain a numerical answer showing the relevant stages in the working.
Communicate Use visual or graphical signs to share meaning or exchange information.
Compare Give an account of the similarities between two or more items.
Create Process and give form to the topic of what is to be created using selected methods and material.
Define Give the precise meaning of a word, phrase, concept or physical quantity.
Describe Using words or diagrams, develop a detailed picture or image of, for example, a process or technique.
Discuss Offer a balanced review that includes a range of conclusions that are supported by appropriate evidence.
Estimate Give a reasoned order calculation of a quantity.
Explain Give a detailed account including reasons or causes.

Final tips and tricks

Exam Tips

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Theory

Make sure you know your theory (especially wood science and materials). Practice exam questions and revision questions in your textbook to test yourself.

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Stick to deadlines

Stick to your deadlines and complete all your class work. This will stand to you in your exams and CBAs.

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Research

Do your own research to help you with your design ideas. Go online or visit a local shop to look for similar products that are already on the market.

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Be creative

Be creative in your projects and designs as this will get you more marks.

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Best practice

In order to improve your practical accuracy, implement the best practice techniques effectively as demonstrated by your teacher. Remember the pistol grip when using a tenon saw, always chisel away from your body, clamp your workpiece when drilling, etc.

Reflect

Reflect all the time and make sure you evaluate after each stage of your design process. Your practical work will thank you for it.

Some tips and tricks

for the Junior Cycle Wood Technology Exam.

Theory

Make sure you know your theory (especially wood science and materials). Practice exam questions and revision questions in your textbook to test yourself.

Stick to deadlines

Stick to your deadlines and complete all your class work. This will stand to you in your exams and CBAs.

Research

Do your own research to help you with your design ideas. Go online or visit a local shop to look for similar products that are already on the market.

Be creative

Be creative in your projects and designs as this will get you more marks.

Best practice

In order to improve your practical accuracy, implement the best practice techniques effectively as demonstrated by your teacher. Remember the pistol grip when using a tenon saw, always chisel away from your body, clamp your workpiece when drilling, etc.

Reflect

Reflect all the time and make sure you evaluate after each stage of your design process. Your practical work will thank you for it.

Hope these help - happy studying!

Best of luck with the exam! You will be great.

By Kieran McDonagh

Kieran Mcdonagh is a Wood Technology teacher at Ballinrobe Community School, Co. Mayo. As well as teaching for over 15 years, Kieran is also an examiner in Junior Cycle Wood Technology.

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