Grade 9 - Control

This sub-organizer contains the following sections:
Prescribed Learning Outcomes
Suggested Instructional Strategies
Suggested Assessment Strategies
Recommended Learning Resources

PRESCRIBED LEARNING OUTCOMES

It is expected that students will:

demonstrate an understanding of the operating principles used in various control devices
design and construct a system that uses a control device
use troubleshooting strategies to locate the source of malfunctions in a system
modify electric, electronic, pneumatic, and mechanical control devices for particular applications

To view the prescribed learning outcomes for Control in other grades click on an icon below.

SUGGESTED INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGIES

Students learn more about how control systems in their immediate environment operate, and they practise troubleshooting techniques when they don't work. They develop an understanding of the component parts of various systems, and design and build control devices for them.

Ask students to identify control system in the classroom, in the school, and at home. To extend their understandings of control devices in a variety of technologies (e.g., transportation), students examine the control components of a vehicle (e.g., steering, braking), and explain how they work and contribute to the entire operation of the system.
Have students work together to record appropriate strategies to diagnose problems and establish solutions. For example, they could identify why a small engine does not run after being reassembled, or why an electronic circuit does not perform as intended.

Devise ways for students to adjust control devices to improve the operation of a system (e.g., adjust the idle mixture on a carburetor, correctly set the gain of a microphone).
Encourage students to apply their understandings of control mechanisms by designing and building systems for specific clients (e.g., modify household control mechanisms for a person in a wheelchair with little hand strength).

SUGGESTED ASSESSMENT STRATEGIES

As students design, build, or modify electronic and mechanical devices to suit particular applications, they demonstrate an understanding of design, construction, and troubleshooting procedures.

Observe

While students are troubleshooting, observe the extent to which they are able to:
- approach the problem systematically
- identify interrelationships between various parts
- identify the effect of a failed component on the system
- explore alternative solutions
- use tools and testing equipment in the troubleshooting process

Question

To assess the thinking of students as they modify electronic or mechanical devices to suit particular clients, conference with individuals or design teams. Ask questions such as:
- What design parameters did you define based on the user's needs?
- How did you modify the device?
- How else could you have solved this problem?

Collect

As students construct systems that include control devices, notice the extent to which they are able to:
- choose task
- appropriate control devices
- modify control device to suit the tasks
- efficiently incorporate appropriate control devices into their design plans
- construct devices that are controlled effectively