Study Guide

Field 046: Technology Education (Subtest I)
Sample Constructed-Response Assignments

The following materials contain:

Directions for the Focused Constructed-Response Assignments

For each constructed-response assignment in this section, you are to prepare a written response of approximately 150–200 words.

Read each assignment carefully before you begin to write. Think about how you will organize what you plan to write. You may use erasable sheets provided to make notes, write an outline, or otherwise prepare your response. However, each of your final responses must be either:

  1. typed into the on-screen response box,
  2. written on a response sheet and scanned using the scanner provided at your workstation, or
  3. provided using both the on-screen response box (for typed text) and a response sheet (for calculations or drawings) that you will scan using the scanner provided at your workstation.

Instructions for scanning your response sheet(s) are available by clicking the "Scanning Help" button at the top of the screen.

Your responses will be evaluated based on the following criteria.

  • Purpose: The extent to which the response achieves the purpose of the assignment
  • Content Knowledge: The extent to which the response accurately and effectively applies the relevant content knowledge and skills
  • Support: The extent to which the response provides relevant and specific support

The assignments are intended to assess subject matter knowledge and skills, not writing ability. Your responses, however, must be communicated clearly enough to permit a valid judgment of your knowledge and skills. Your responses should be written for an audience of educators in the field.

Your responses should be your original work, written in your own words, and not copied or paraphrased from some other work. Please write legibly when using the response sheets. You may not use any reference materials during the testing session. Remember to review your work and make any changes you think will improve your responses.

Any time spent responding to an assignment, including scanning the response sheet(s), is part of your testing time. Monitor your time carefully. When your testing time expires, a pop-up message will appear on-screen indicating the conclusion of your test session. Only response sheets that are scanned before you end your test or before time has expired will be scored. Any response sheet that is not scanned before testing ends will NOT be scored.

Sample Focused Constructed-Response Assignment #1

Use the information below to complete the exercise that follows.

A biotechnology company that specializes in agricultural genetics has been invited to participate in a community job fair. You have been asked to prepare the company's representative for possible questions and situations that might arise at the fair.

Using your knowledge of technology careers and employability skills, write a response in which you:

  • identify the skills, knowledge, attitudes, aptitudes, and responsibilities needed for one career path within the company; and
  • describe the workplace skills relevant to the company's work and environment.

Sample Strong Response to Focused Constructed-Response Assignment #1

A biotechnology company specializing in agricultural genetics would have need of skilled researchers to work on product research and development. Qualifications for researcher positions would include knowledge of scientific method and processes, advanced command of biology and genetics, and understanding and skill in appropriate laboratory techniques, practices, and processes. The company would also need laboratory assistants who could follow well-defined laboratory procedures. This type of job often offers entry-level positions with opportunities for advancement and opportunities for further education. In addition to these technical positions, the company would also need the types of workers that most other companies need, such as quality control staff, administrative staff, and support staff.

To work effectively in the environment of a biotechnology company, employees should be good problem solvers who can identify problems and develop action plans. They should be skilled communicators and constructive team members. They should be creative and generative thinkers, have a strong orientation to client satisfaction, and be conscious of and committed to high standards of safety.

Sample Focused Constructed-Response Assignment #2

Use the information below to complete the exercise that follows.

You have been asked to help with the design of a small auto body repairing and painting shop.

Using your knowledge of safety and environmental issues in technology, write a response in which you:

  • draw a facility plan and indicate the location of two pieces of equipment related to safety or environmental protection; and
  • explain how the two indicated pieces of equipment are used and why they are needed.

Sample Strong Response to Focused Constructed-Response Assignment #2

Performance Characteristics (Focused Responses)

Responses are scored holistically based on the following performance characteristics:

Purpose The extent to which the response achieves the purpose of the assignment
Content Knowledge The extent to which the response accurately and effectively applies the relevant content knowledge and skills
Support The extent to which the response provides relevant and specific support

Scoring Scale (Focused Responses)

The three points of the scoring scale correspond to varying degrees of performance.

Score Point Score Point Description
3
 The "3" response reflects a thorough understanding of the relevant knowledge and skills.
  • The response thoroughly achieves the purpose of the assignment.
  • The response demonstrates an accurate and effective application of relevant content knowledge.
  • The response provides relevant and specific support.
2
 The "2" response reflects a general understanding of the relevant knowledge and skills.
  • The response largely achieves the purpose of the assignment.
  • The response demonstrates a generally accurate and generally effective application of the relevant content knowledge.
  • The response provides some relevant support.
1
 The "1" response reflects limited or no understanding of the relevant knowledge and skills.
  • The response partially achieves or fails to achieve the purpose of the assignment.
  • The response demonstrates a limited, inaccurate or ineffective application of the relevant content knowledge.
  • The response provides limited or no relevant support.
U
 The response is unrelated to the assignment, is unreadable, is primarily in a language other than English, or does not contain a sufficient amount of original work to score.
B
 There is no response to the assignment.

Directions for the Extended Constructed-Response Assignment

This section of the test requires a written response of approximately 150–300 words. Read the assignment carefully before you begin to write. Think about how you will organize what you plan to write. You may use erasable sheets provided to make notes, write an outline, or otherwise prepare your response. However, your final response must be either:

  1. typed into the on-screen response box,
  2. written on a response sheet and scanned using the scanner provided at your workstation, or
  3. provided using both the on-screen response box (for typed text) and a response sheet (for calculations or drawings) that you will scan using the scanner provided at your workstation.

Instructions for scanning your response sheet(s) are available by clicking the “Scanning Help” button at the top of the screen.

Your response will be evaluated on the following criteria:

  • Purpose: The extent to which the response achieves the purpose of the assignment
  • Content Knowledge: The extent to which the response accurately and effectively applies the relevant content knowledge and skills
  • Support: The extent to which the response provides relevant, specific support
  • Rationale: The extent to which the response provides sound reasoning about the topic

The assignment is intended to assess subject matter knowledge and skills, not writing ability. Your response, however, must be communicated clearly enough to permit a valid judgment of your knowledge and skills. Your response should be written for an audience of educators in the field.

Your response should be your original work, written in your own words, and not copied or paraphrased from some other work. Please write legibly when using the response sheets. You may not use any reference materials during the testing session. Remember to review your work and make any changes you think will improve your response.

Any time spent responding to an assignment, including scanning the response sheet(s), is part of your testing time. Monitor your time carefully. When your testing time expires, a pop-up message will appear on-screen indicating the conclusion of your test session. Only response sheets that are scanned before you end your test or before time has expired will be scored. Any response sheet that is not scanned before testing ends will NOT be scored.

Sample Extended Constructed-Response Assignment

Use the information below to complete the exercise that follows.

A developer is proposing a project that involves the construction of a new waste-to-energy incinerator to help with the disposal of municipal waste.

Using your knowledge of project and product development, write a response in which you:

  • describe two environmental concerns related to this type of project;
  • describe one procedure for addressing each of the two environmental concerns;
  • describe two safety issues related to this type of project; and
  • describe one precaution for addressing each of the two safety issues.

Sample Strong Response to the Extended Constructed-Response Assignment

Waste-to-energy incineration is the burning of waste materials to produce energy in the form of steam, electricity, or both. Two environmental concerns related to waste-to-energy incineration involve the potential for air pollution and the toxic nature of the ash that results from the incineration process. Airborne emissions may include fly ash and toxic chemicals including heavy metals. The ash that remains after incineration of waste may include high levels of heavy metals (including cadmium, mercury, and lead), dioxin, and other toxic chemicals.

Waste-to-energy incinerators incorporate a number of technologies to reduce the impact of the facility on the environment. First, they burn at a very high temperature to completely burn many of the products of more conventional combustion and to prevent the formation of others. Also, many incinerators have scrubbers that spray powdered lime into the hot exhaust to remove many of the harmful chemicals. The scrubber may be controlled by a computer system that continually monitors the facility's emissions. Most of the fly ash is physically removed from the exhaust stream. The ash is sometimes passed under a large magnet that removes some of the metals from the ash. Finally, the ash is stored in a lined landfill, away from groundwater that might otherwise become contaminated.

Safety concerns at a waste-to-energy incinerator include the inhalation of airborne particulates by employees and burns caused by contact with any of the hot surfaces in the plant. Inhalation of particulate matter can be minimized or prevented by having workers in particulate-laden areas wear face masks, filter respirators with HEPA cartridges, or other appropriate protective equipment. Workers can be protected from burns by incorporating OSHA-approved safety markings to warn workers of hot surfaces and by insisting that all workers comply with company safety policies and procedures.

Performance Characteristics (Extended Response)

Responses are scored holistically based on the following performance characteristics:

Purpose The extent to which the response achieves the purpose of the assignment
Content Knowledge The extent to which the response accurately and effectively applies the relevant content knowledge and skills
Support The extent to which the response provides relevant, specific support
Rationale The extent to which the response provides sound reasoning about the topic

Scoring Scale (Extended Response)

The four points of the scoring scale correspond to varying degrees of performance.

Score Point Score Point Description
4
 The "4" response reflects a thorough understanding of the relevant knowledge and skills.
  • The response thoroughly achieves the purpose of the assignment.
  • The response demonstrates an accurate and effective application of relevant content knowledge.
  • The response provides high quality, relevant, and specific support.
  • The response reflects sound, effective reasoning about the topic.
3
 The "3" response reflects a general understanding of the relevant knowledge and skills.
  • The response largely achieves the purpose of the assignment.
  • The response demonstrates a generally accurate and generally effective application of the relevant content knowledge.
  • The response provides some relevant support.
  • The response reflects generally sound reasoning about the topic.
2
 The "2" response reflects a limited understanding of the relevant knowledge and skills.
  • The response partially achieves the purpose of the assignment.
  • The response demonstrates a limited, partially accurate and partially effective application of the relevant content knowledge.
  • The response provides limited relevant support.
  • The response reflects limited reasoning about the topic.
1
 The "1" response reflects little or no understanding of the relevant knowledge and skills.
  • The response achieves little of the purpose of the assignment.
  • The response demonstrates an inaccurate or ineffective application of the relevant content knowledge.
  • The response provides little or no relevant support.
  • The response reflects poor reasoning about the topic.
U
 The response is unrelated to the assignment, is unreadable, is primarily in a language other than English, or does not contain a sufficient amount of original work to score.
B
 There is no response to the assignment.