As published in the VCAA Bulletin, September 2008, p.5.
The current gear and gear ratio definitions included in the Glossary in the VCE Systems Engineering Study Design have been extensively discussed by teachers.
It is necessary to clarify the gear ratio definition in relation to its transformation into a formula in order to avoid any confusion caused by use of the derived formula (driver over driven).
The current definitions in the glossary in the Systems Engineering study design for ‘gear’ and ‘gear ratio’ are to be removed and replaced with the following definitions for ‘gear’, ‘simple gear train’, ‘compound gear’, ‘compound gear train’ and ‘gear ratio’.
Changes to the glossary terms are effective from 1 January 2009.
The replacement definitions for the VCE Systems Engineering glossary are as follows:
Gear: a toothed component that meshes with another to transfer motion in mechanical systems.
Simple gear train: two or more gears that mesh, used to increase or decrease speed; and/or to change direction.
Compound gear: a compound gear is made up of two or more gears that are joined together and share the same shaft.
Compound gear train: a compound gear train is a combination of gears and axles or shafts that have at least one axle or shaft with a compound gear.
Gear ratio: The relationship of the number of turns between two gears expressed as a ratio, that is, the number of turns of the driver to one turn of the driven (x: 1). For example, (for a reduction gear box) a driver gear has 40 teeth and the driven gear has 80 teeth; using the formula driven ÷ driver the ratio is expressed as 2:1 or for two turns of the driver gear the driven gear turns once.
As published in the VCAA Bulletin, November 2006, p.10.
VCE Systems Engineering (formerly Systems and Technology) (Units 1–4) was reaccredited for implementation in 2007. Copies of the new Study Design (featuring a blue cover and student artwork) were sent to all schools in 2007.
Teachers should note that for School-assessed coursework, changes have been made to the marks allocated to the outcomes in Units 3 and 4.
The revised marks have been included in the 2007 Systems Engineering assessment handbook and will be reflected in the marks to be entered on VASS for 2007.
The amendments reflect the actual weighting of the outcomes between Units 3 and 4, which together comprise Graded Assessment 1 (GA1). A copy of the revised marks is published in the Liftout to the VCAA Bulletin, November 2006 (PDF - 48KB)
Enquiries about distribution of the study designs can be directed to Ms Wendy James on (03) 9651 4590, enquiries about the curriculum can be directed to Ms Lorraine Tran, Manager, Technology on (03) 9651 4407.