What students have to say
Ø What previous Year 10 students have to say . . .
"GCSE electronics is very different from Key Stage 3 electronics in many different ways.
Firstly all of the non-practical work is based around computers and homework is set on the school electronics web site to download. I found this a lot better and less tedious than having to write out all of your homework on paper and is beneficial as in the subject you learn some basic IT skills as well as electronics. This is also true of other subjects such as maths and physics as these subjects come into electronics al lot,
Many people say that electronics is a difficult subject, but I fund this not to be true. With resistor values codes for example, once you learn the basic rules it becomes very easy and is just a case of counting on your fingers.
Furthermore, for your coursework project you can do basically whatever you want within reason.
I find electronics interesting because it is done differently to a lot of other subjects and isn't all about working from a textbook."
"To be honest I don't think I chose Electronic Products for the right reasons in the first place . . . I didn't know which technology to choose and then we had a talk about it in a physics lesson . . . we were told that we could have the chance to make a bug . . . so I could listen to peoples conversations . . . so this was a bit shallow but that is what made me choose Electronics . . . My friend also chose it and we assumed we would be in the same class. As it turns out we are not. I was a bit scared for my first lesson because I had no idea who was in my class. I am a girl and I know that makes no difference but I didn't know any other girls who were taking it.
So me being a girl has made no difference whatsoever. . . ok there are only three girls in the class but it doesn't change a thing, it has probably made me more determined to get higher grades. The work started off a bit boring I must admit. I didn't understand the theory . . . but I gave it a go and when we started doing the practical work, I loved it . . .it was really fun. I made a radio and it actually works! I was so proud because I made it . . . and it was really satisfying to see and listen to what I had produced.
We did some theory after and I understand it a lot more, it isn't hard . . .a bit challenging but that is what makes it so good. . . At the moment we are doing lots of stuff with breadboards and are working through our fill-in workbooks (which are cool) . . . Electronics is related to science but you don't have to be brilliant at science, I'm not and I understand electronics . . . if anything it is helping with my science. If you don't like science though don't assume you will hate electronics because they are different . . .
In a way electronics is two or three technologies rolled together, there is obviously the Electronics but there is design involved and that uses Resistant Materials . . . it is good! (and more exciting than . . .)"
"So far, I think that the Electronic Products course has been very interesting. I enjoyed making the transistor tester. It was very satisfying when I finished it and it worked properly.
I like breadboarding, because it helps you to understand how circuits work. On the one hand, there are many enjoyable lessons in Electronics, there are some where we have to do theory. This can be interesting but occasionally boring. On the other hand, this theory is 'watered down' through the fill-in workbook. I have only just started the book, but it seems very easy to understand and you can do it at your own pace.
Overall, I have enjoyed electronics, and I would recommend it to any year nine student."
"I have found the electronics course so far, interesting and challenging. Although it has been quite difficult to get a grasp of and there is a fair bit of theory work involved, it is very satisfying when you can create something that works well.
There has actually been quite a lot of practical work involved, so it is not all about thinking about things but quite a lot of it is physically doing things.
I enjoyed making the transistor tester because it gave me a chance to cover other areas of technology, not just electronics.
I have found the fill-in workbook very useful and it has saved me an awful amount of work. It is easy to use and makes things fun because a lot of the work is breadboarding. It also helps me a great deal on my final piece and also revision for my exam.
I am looking forward to the main project a great deal and already have number of ideas."
"When I chose Electronic Products I was a bit dubious as to whether I would like it or not, but I really didn't like any of the other technologies so I thought I'd give it a go. I have found that I am enjoying it a lot more than I thought I would. I like making things that have a purpose opposed to just looking good. I also like learning about how things work, although sometimes it can be a bit confusing. I enjoy soldering and mounting the components onto PCBs, but I don't particularly enjoy making the cases.
. . . Electronic Products helps me with physics and provides me with some good background knowledge into how things work.
I have learned about circuits, resistors and how they work, and about circuit diagrams. I have developed skills in soldering and drawing sketches of ideas. I recommend this subject as it contains both theory work and practical work."
"Electronics is very good because you can do lots of practicals which include soldering and designing circuit boards. We have already made a radio and starburst badge and used the computers. We have made the case for some equipment. I need to do this subject when I am older because I will use a lot of equipment and it is handy to know how it works and how to fix simple things."
"I've been interested in electronics and science since I was very young, and was probably influenced by my Dad. Over the years I've built up knowledge through kits and books. When I went to secondary school my hobby in electronics took rather a back seat, mainly because of increasing homework etc. Doing GCSE Electronic Products has really inspired my hobby and I find practical lessons very fun, and thus find there's more I want to try out at home.
So far I've found the course very interesting and enjoyable and has really inspired me to go into a future of electronics. Most of the course is of the practical form - learning through doing, making it very fun. There is virtually no writing or note taking, and most of the course so far has been trying out circuits and then filling in gaps or tables in a workbook.
Electronics can be as simple or as complicated as you want it to be - it doesn't need to be complicated to get a grade in the final project - apparently making a flashing LED (light) project for a fake burglar alarm can get you a grade C if you do a good case for it.
There are lots of projects you can do in electronics for just a couple of pounds which can be very fun to make and useful to have e.g. a transistor tester (very useful) or starburst badge. There is also a kit available for making electronic circuits at home, one of which could be simply modified to a grade A project."