Although the assessment strategy will ultimately depend on the nature of the curriculum, it is preferable that such strategies would employ both a theoretical test and a practical assignment. Some form of research project might also be considered.
For younger students (Subunit 1) a research project might involve examining a particular piece of technology, such as a Plasma/LCD TV screen or digital camera. The assessment in this case might be based on how well students are able to link aspects of their physics course to its construction and operation. For older students (Subunit 2) a research project might involve a comparison of different technologies, for example CRT and LCD displays, digital and film cameras, different strategies of producing a 3D image (lenticular displays versus polarized glasses), or the differences between CD and Blu-ray read heads.
A practical assignment could be based on any of the activities in the subunits, or experiments on the curriculum that are not specifically covered but related to these activities.
An example of a theoretical test is given at the end of this document. It can be modified for either the younger or older student groupings, and could involve either qualitatively or quantitatively determining the behaviour of light after interaction with a number of optical components. In the case of the older groups, values could be added, for example the wavelength of light or refractive index of the materials.