Assessment resource unit standard 26687

Level 1
Demonstrate and apply knowledge of sound technology for a
performance context
Unit Standard: 26687
Credits: 4

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Teacher/tutor guidelines
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The following guidelines are supplied to enable teachers to carry out valid and
consistent assessment using this internal assessment resource.

Context/setting:
For this standard, students are required to demonstrate knowledge of sound
technology and its purpose in a minimum of two performing arts contexts, and
apply this knowledge in a practical activity, which is the set up and operation of
sound technology equipment in one of the contexts.

Over the weeks prior to this assessment, students should have had sufficient
teaching and learning opportunities to develop their skills and understand the
safety and practical aspects required for the standard. As a part of pre-
assessment, teachers may demonstrate how the equipment and techniques can
be used.

The students might be involved in such activities as:

• Brainstorm
• Small group discussion
• Research
• Planning
• Charting
• Specification analysis of equipment
• Directed practical class activities
• Demonstrations

Assessment activity

This assessment activity has two tasks.

Task one involves the student demonstrating understanding of the purpose of

sound technology for specific contexts. Evidence of this can be collected via
written, visual or oral methods such as a video diary, block diagram, or written
description. A minimum of two contexts must be covered.

Task two involves completing a practical activity where the student selects, sets
up, and operates sound equipment for a performance following a set of given
Assessment resource unit standard 26687

guidelines. They must also demonstrate knowledge of the features, their functions
and the specifications of the sound technology equipment they have selected. This
could be assessed using a combination of observation and questioning by the
teacher/tutor or via a mixture of observation and short answer worksheets with
diagrams.

For this particular activity the students must set up a public address (PA) system
for a small group performance and operate the PA during the performance. A
performance could include kapa haka, acoustic duo or trio, a capella (e g
Barbershop).

The technical requirements for the performance must be suitable for the standard
and must include the use of microphones and stands, a mixer, a power amplifier,
speakers and cables to connect these. The use of pop filters, headphones and DI
units is optional.

In completing this activity, the students will:

• Identify the purpose of sound technology for selected purposes
o Identify and select the equipment required for a performance
o Position, secure, connect and label equipment using supplied guidelines
and following safe practice
o Describe equipment in terms of its features and their functions,
specifications and use of the features
o Set input levels, balance and manipulate sound sources using faders, pan,
eq and mutes.

Award of Grades
• For award with Credit (Achieved), all outcomes must be achieved as specified
in the outcome statements.
• For Merit, candidates must be able to demonstrate integration of knowledge
between the purpose of sound, the equipment and its features, functions,
specifications and operation. The candidate requires minimal prompting in using
terminology and technical language to justify the selection of equipment and to
describe its suitability for the requirements of a specified performance context. The
set up and operation of the sound technology equipment is completed with some
reference to the specified guidelines. Technical issues during the performance are
corrected without prompt.
• For Excellence, candidates must be able to demonstrate integration of
knowledge between the purpose of sound, the equipment and its features,
functions, specifications and operation. The candidate must confidently and
accurately use a range of terminology and technical language to justify the
selection and suitability of equipment and to describe its suitability for enhancing
the requirements of a specified performance context. The set up and operation of
the sound technology equipment is completed without reference to the specified
guidelines and in a manner that ensures no technical issues arise during the
performance.

Conditions of assessment

Candidates must be given access to suitable sound equipment that has been
certified as safe in order to complete assessment against this standard. The
Assessment resource unit standard 26687

assessor must ensure that the power supply used in practical activities has
sufficient capacity for the connected equipment.

Equipment must be checked and verified by a teacher/tutor as being connected

correctly by the students prior to power up.

A set of guidelines must be provided to the student specifying how equipment

must be rigged labelled and operated. The students may refer to these during the
assessment.

Assessment can occur via group activities, however their must be evidence that
each student can complete all aspects of the standard.

As students develop their assessment, teachers can offer guidance that may
prompt the student to further investigation and consideration of their ideas.
Teachers must not correct assessment errors, or suggest specific ideas

Resource requirements:

A set of guidelines specifying how the sound technology equipment must be

rigged (positioned, secured and connected), labelled and operated.
Sufficient number and variety of microphones and stands suitable for the
performance context
A stereo power amplifier and mixing desk or mixer/amplifier
Passive speakers - eg 15inch plus horn combo
Cables of sufficient length to allow set up that meets the requirement of the
context
Accessories such as gaffer tape, pop shields, DI boxes and headphones,
recording device(s).

Consideration should be given to ensuring that equipment is compatible eg if a

microphone requires phantom power, the mixer has this feature.

Additional information:

Candidates being assessed against this standard must demonstrate safe working
practices at all times. This may include but is not limited to - working at heights,
working with electricity, using certified equipment, lifting, securing equipment
safely, replacing and storing equipment, use of tools, use of supplied safety
equipment, following manufacturer's instructions. Evidence of this may be provided
by a teacher/tutor attestation or candidate’s reflective statement. A useful
reference for safe working practice is the Department of Labour publication Guide
for Safe Working Practices in the Theatre and Entertainment Industry in New
Zealand which can be accessed at:
http://www.osh.govt.nz/order/catalogue/ipp/theatreguidelines11.pdf