: Torch
Trend task
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Approach: Station Level: Year 4 and year 8 
Focus: Writing instructions
Resources: Assembled torch without batteries, 2 batteries
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Questions/instructions:

Check that you have a torch and two batteries . If not, tell the teacher.
Put the batteries in the torch to make it go. If the light does not go, tell the teacher.

Write instructions so that a young person would know how to put the batteries
in the torch to make it go.
Torch
Batteries

% responses
2006 ('02)
y4
y8

Instructions included:
taking the top off
35 (25)
64 (70)
putting the two batteries in
82 (80)
93 (88)
awareness that battery orientation matters
59 (60)
83 (80)
getting the batteries in the same orientation
38 (34)
68 (66)
conventional orientation of batteries
(positives towards the bulb or negatives towards the spring)
27 (29)
50 (63)
putting the top back on
71 (65)
82 (79)
switching the torch on
58 (48)
71 (67)
Total score:
6–7
15 (16)
50 (50)
5
15 (8)
18 (13)
4
25 (19)
13 (21)
3
20 (30)
12 (8)
0–2
25 (27)
7 (8)
Subgroup Analysis:
Year 4
Year 8
Commentary:
Boys are often thought to be more interested than girls in how to make technological devices like torches work, but girls performed better than boys on this task. Thirty-five percent more year 8 than year 4 students gave instructions that achieved a score of six or seven. There was no meaningful change in performance between 2002 and 2006.
MID RANGE EXEMPLARS:
 HIGH RANGE EXEMPLARS:

YEAR 4:      Exemplar 1 | Exemplar 2 | Exemplar 3

YEAR 8:      Exemplar 1 | Exemplar 2 | Exemplar 3

YEAR 4:      Exemplar 1 | Exemplar 2 | Exemplar 3

YEAR 8:      Exemplar 1 | Exemplar 2 | Exemplar 3
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