Assessor Resource

CUVCER401A
Experiment with techniques to produce ceramics

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: March 2024


People with a command of ceramics techniques apply the skills and knowledge in this unit. They may produce work at a pre-professional level for sale in a range of outlets, such as markets and fairs.

Work is undertaken independently with supervision and guidance as required.

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to proactively experiment and innovate with various ceramics techniques and ideas to develop an individual style or voice.

You may want to include more information here about the target group and the purpose of the assessments (eg formative, summative, recognition)

Prerequisites

Not applicable.


Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.




Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Evidence of the ability to:

develop ideas and techniques through a process of research and experimentation

produce multiple finished ceramic items or a single major work that demonstrate a command of techniques

apply knowledge of ceramics techniques, equipment and materials and the ways they may be adapted and combined

participate in the operation and monitoring of kilns and firing processes

use safe ceramics work practices.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure access to:

tools, equipment and materials used in ceramic work.

Method of assessment

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:

evaluation of technical execution of work pieces produced by the candidate

direct observation of ceramics work in progress, including exploration of, and experimentation with, techniques

questioning and discussion about candidate’s intentions and the work outcome

review of portfolios of evidence

review of third-party reports from experienced practitioners.

Assessment methods should closely reflect workplace demands (e.g. literacy) and the needs of particular groups (e.g. people with disabilities, and people who may have literacy or numeracy difficulties, such as speakers of languages other than English, remote communities and those with interrupted schooling).

Guidance information for assessment

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:

CUVPRP401A Realise a creative project.


Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assingnment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)


Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

Required skills

communication skills to:

discuss ideas and techniques in own work

create a record of the ceramic work

initiative and enterprise skills to:

experiment with ceramics techniques and use results to enhance work

apply critical thinking and analytical skills when developing ideas for ceramics

learning skills to:

refine and improve a range of techniques

evaluate quality of own work and identify ways to enhance own skills

literacy skills to undertake research about the work of other ceramics artists and arts practitioners

numeracy skills to:

evaluate resource costs

calculate material requirements

planning and organising skills to plan work tasks and resources

problem-solving skills to identify and resolve technical issues in ceramics work

technology skills to use the internet as a research tool.

Required knowledge

role of experimentation in developing and refining ideas for ceramics and how it relates to the development of an individual style

ways to adapt, extend and combine the capabilities of a wide range of ceramics materials and techniques

physical properties and capabilities of an extended range of materials and tools used in ceramics

characteristics of different materials under different treatments and the potential of these characteristics to achieve different effects

formal elements and principles of design and how they may be used, adapted and challenged in ceramics work

research methodologies used by artists

historical and theoretical contexts for ceramics and how they may be used to inform individual practice

sources of raw, part-processed and processed ceramics materials

sources of other resources needed in a professional ceramics practice

intellectual property issues and legislation to be considered by independent arts practitioners

sustainability considerations for the professional operation of a ceramics practice

OHS requirements for the set-up and operation of ceramics work space.

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Techniques may include:

applied surface treatments:

glazes

inlay with other clays or other materials

oxides

handbuilding:

coiling

pinching

slab-roll methods

moulding, including mould making

slipcasting

subtractive surface treatments:

impressing

incising

piercing

stamping.

Tools and equipment may include:

brushes and toothbrushes

carving tools

electronic equipment used in design work

kilns: electric, gas, wood or raku

knives and blades

measuring devices

protective clothing

rolling pins or other rollers

spatulas

tongs.

Materials may include:

glazes and oxides

materials for mould making:

casting plaster

resins

wax

other materials for inlay that leave impressions or stains, etc. in the ceramic work after firing

range of clays

slip.

Safety and sustainability considerations may include:

federal, state and territory legislation, regulations and standards

personal protection

recycling

safe disposal of waste.

Research may involve:

approaching individuals with relevant expertise

attending lectures and talks

conducting material and technical experiments and tests

seeking out information in books, journals and newspapers

searching the internet

visiting exhibitions, galleries and museums.

Ideas may be influenced by:

artistic aspirations

current capability with techniques

historical and theoretical contexts

subject matter or theme for the work, such as:

built environment

land and place

natural world

political, cultural and social issues

the body

spiritual concerns.

Intellectual property requirements may relate to:

extent to which the work may be used

form of acknowledgement or credit

procedures for seeking permission to use the work of others, including systems for the administration of copyright

protocols for the adaptation of work by others.

Professional potentialmay relate to:

cost of production

existence of an established market

how to promote or sell the work

market trends

professional development.

Criteria may relate to:

audience

client and user expectations

environment in which ceramics will be viewed

local government and planning authority regulations

materials

quality of final product

techniques

timelines

tools

weather considerations.

Process followed to refine ideas may include:

adjustment to subject matter or theme

adjustment to take account of elements and principles of design

adjustment to use extended capabilities of techniques.

Sources of supply may include:

commercial outlets

found objects and materials

manufacturing or factory waste

nature.

Cost and other constraints may relate to:

availability of materials and tools

budgeting

environment in which ceramics will be viewed

sponsorship

timeframe.

Presentation considerations may include:

availability of space

cost

practical considerations

presentation context

timeframe.

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Evaluate the potential for new approaches to ceramics work based on capabilities of techniques already used 
Adapt or introduce new tools, equipment and materials to achieve different effects 
Extend the capabilities of ceramics techniques through experimentation 
Take account of the safety and sustainability considerations for different techniques and media 
Articulate creative and other goals for ceramic work 
Research, adapt and use relevant ideas and approaches from other practitioners with consideration of intellectual property requirements 
Apply knowledge of different ceramics techniques to inform ideas 
Allow techniques and ideas to work together to inform each other 
Consider the professional potential and other criteria for work when developing ideas 
Refine and confirm ideas based on experimentation, research and collaboration with others 
Assess specific resource requirements for the chosen work 
Research and access potential sources of supply for ceramics resources 
Evaluate cost and other constraints that impact on the development of work 
Evaluate and respond to presentation considerations for finished ceramics 
Set up or coordinate resource requirements according to safety and other workplace requirements 
Create ceramics, using techniques and media selected from research and experimentation 
Review and refine ideas and approaches based on ongoing experience with the production of work 
Use safe and sustainable work practices throughout the production of ceramics 
Document and record the development of the work and the research and ideas that inform it 
Reflect on own work in terms of conceptual development and technical execution 
Identify areas for future improvement, especially in terms of own skill development 
Discuss completed work with others and respond positively to feedback 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

CUVCER401A - Experiment with techniques to produce ceramics
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:


Assessment Record Sheet

CUVCER401A - Experiment with techniques to produce ceramics

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: