GCSE Design and Technology: What sort of video evidence is needed in the NEA?

There are various reasons why you may need or want to submit videos or in some cases audio clips to support a student’s submission.

In almost all cases there will need to be a video taken of the final prototype(s) as soon as students have finished making them. This is for two purposes; firstly it allows students to take the prototype(s) out of the centre to be able to be tested in the environment they are intended for; secondly, this is the required evidence a moderator will need to have to ensure they are able to make appropriate judgments on the accuracy of your marking.

The videos of the final prototypes are to demonstrate any functionality of the product being presented for assessment. If there is genuinely no functionality (which is very rare) a combination of 360° photographs are sufficient.

Other instances for using a video may include:

• Engaging with users or stakeholders
• Demonstrating problems with existing products
• Presenting functioning models
• Testing final prototypes in use

It is important to note that at GCSE, both paper and electronic portfolios are accepted forms of evidence. In recognising this, it shouldn’t be a disadvantage to students submitting paper portfolios to deliver video/audio clips to support their submission. Therefore USBs or DVDs are accepted alongside a paper portfolio to allow equal accessibility to this approach. In either case, making sure clips are concise, compressing clips in size (particularly when embedding them) and ensuring they are well signposted in the portfolios to ensure the reader knows that they are meant to be watched or listened to. If submitting paper portfolios or you encounter issues with embedded clips, ensure each candidate has a separate electronic folder and the slips are contained within a clearly labelled with page/slide numbers and suitable descriptions and the candidate number.

If candidates have failed to video their own final prototype, it is accepted for the teacher to do this when they are assessing the candidate’s final submission and including notes to support this in their observations on the Candidate Record Form.