Upload
adam-mcallister
View
213
Download
0
Tags:
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Reviewing the Reviewing the new A level new A level
specificationsspecificationsBob Digby
Community Geographer,
Geographical Association
Key changes – Revisions to A levels for the first time since 2000 – More than just new specifications – an expression of
the subject for the next few years– Time scale: first teaching from 2008, first AS/A2
awards in 2009/2010 – Compliance with QCA subject criteria e.g. ‘stretch
and challenge’ and a new A* award.– One specification allowed per Board; so 4 available in
England and Wales instead of the previous 7. – 4 modules not 6; can be taken any time or as a linear
qualification. – The death of coursework.
Questions – Will change actually reduce the burden of
assessment? Or will the Boards shoe-horn 6 modules’ content into 4?
– Will the removal of coursework impact upon the number of candidates in Geography?
– What happens to fieldwork in schools? Can the exam boards preserve fieldwork as an integral part of Geography?
– We now have a generation of exam-wise 16-18 year-olds – but are they better geographers?
Has Geography had a facelift in the new specifications?
Eleanor Rawling’s lecture at the 2005 GA conference highlighted ten concerns• Forces of change & public concerns about e.g. globalisation, global
warming• Spatial awareness of e.g. the ‘new’ Europe• Scale & scale linkage – inter-connectedness • Environmental Interaction – footprints and management• Technology – opportunities for GIS• Greater curriculum flexibility, choice & freedom needed• Special contribution to global concepts e.g. sustainability• Geographical enquiry – active questioning approach, less didactic• Significant changes in university geography (cultural, ethnographic,
place….)• ‘14-19 awarding bodies have tended to standardise content…fear that
innovation will lose customers anxious to play safe & maintain high grades’
How should the subject be updated?
• Simon Oakes research into the School-HEI ‘Gap’ (2006) highlights several issues including:
• Human geography in school ‘out of step’
• Theory levels are poor (compare Sociology)
• Learning tends to be ‘case-study based’, not theoretical - focused on ‘facts, not thinking’
• Little critical questioning of concepts at A level- e.g. of sustainability
The new specificationsThe new specifications
• Content of AS versus A2• Assessment type at AS and A2• Styles and Flexibility of assessment• Assessment load• Where’s the fieldwork?• Guidance for teachers?• How fresh or up-to-date?• How much choice?
What kind of content at AS?What kind of content at AS?Criteria AQA Edexcel OCR WJEC AS content and weighting
Unit 1 35% Physical and Human Geography Two elements Physical (Rivers plus
one of Cold Environments, Coastal Environments or Hot deserts and margins)
Human (Global population change plus one of Food Supply Issues, Energy Supply Issues or Health Issues
Unit 2 15% Applied Geography Assesses skills (which must include fieldwork) taught in Unit One
Unit 1 30% Global Challenges Two elements World at Risk (Hazards
and Global Warming) Going Global
(Population & Migration)
Unit 2 20% Geographical Investigations Four elements; select one phys and one human Physical (Extreme
Weather or Crowded Coasts)
Human (Unequal Spaces & Re-branding Places)
Unit 1 25% Managing Physical Environments Choice is not explicit except through the assessment requirements Either River environments or Coastal environments AND either Cold environments or Hot arid and semi-arid
environments
Unit 2 25% Managing Change in Human Environments Either Managing urban
change or Managing rural change AND either The energy issue or The growth of tourism
Unit 1 25% Changing Physical Environments Two themes: Investigating climate
change Investigating tectonic
and hydrological change
Unit 2 25% Changing Human Environments Two themes: Investigating
population change Investigating
settlement change in MEDCs
What kind of assessment at AS?What kind of assessment at AS?
Criteria AQA Edexcel OCR WJEC Style of assessment at AS
Total 3 hours Unit 1: 2 hours Progression from short to extended written responses Unit 2: 1 hour Structured skills questions, with fieldwork question
Total 2.5 hours Unit 1: 1.5 hours Resource-based questions. Do all of Section A and B Unit 2: 1 hour Do 2 from 4 essay-style questions (with parts a, b and c) on themes taught in Unit 2
Total 3 hours Units 1 and 2: 1.5 hours each Section A Two
structured data response questions
Section B one extended writing
Total 3 hours Units 1 and 2: 1.5 hours each Structured data
response questions on each theme
Question on research and out-of-classroom work, including fieldwork in relation to each theme.
What kind of content at A2? Unit 3What kind of content at A2? Unit 3Criteria AQA Edexcel OCR WJEC A2 content and weighting Unit 3
Unit 3 30% Contemporary Geographical Issues Focuses on a range of themes, for research Select three; one physical and one human minimum Physical Plate tectonics Weather and Climate
and hazards Challenges facing
ecosystems Human World Cities Development and
Globalisation Contemporary conflict
and challenge
Unit 3 30% Contested Planet. Focus on use and management of resources, and issues arising: Energy Security Water conflicts Biodiversity under
threat Superpower
geographies Bridging the
development gap The technological fix?
Unit 3 30% Global Issues Three chosen from six: Environmental issues: Earth hazards Ecosystems and
environments under threat
Climatic hazards Economic issues: Population and
resources Globalisation Development and
inequalities
Unit 3 30% Contemporary Themes & Research in Geography
Section A Contemporary Themes
Choose one from: Extreme environments Landforms and their
management Climatic hazards
and one from Development Globalisation Emerging Asia Š India or
China
Section B: Research Enquiry Board sets one investigative theme a year for each of these options: Crime Deprivation Disease Environmental Psychology Leisure and Recreation Microclimates Pollution Retailing Rivers Ecosystems
What kind of content at A2? Unit 4What kind of content at A2? Unit 4
Criteria AQA Edexcel OCR WJEC A2 content and weighting Unit 4
Unit 4 20% Either Unit 4A Geography Fieldwork Investigation A 1.5 hour examination paper based on candidates’ own individual fieldwork investigation. The exam focuses on evaluation. Or Unit 4B Geographical Issue Evaluation A pre-release booklet available 2 months before the examination.
Unit 4 20% Geographical Research Teachers or candidates select a specialism in one area: Tectonic activity and
hazards Cold Environments –
landscapes and change
Life on the margins: the food supply problem
The world of cultural diversity
Pollution and human health at risk
Consuming the rural landscape – leisure and tourism
Unit 4 20% Geographical Skill Identifying a suitable
geographical question or hypothesis for investigation
Developing a plan and strategy for conducting the investigation
Collecting and recording appropriate data
Presenting the data collected in appropriate forms
Analysing and interpreting the data
Unit 4 20% Sustainability Four themes Sustainable food
supply Sustainable water
supply Sustainable energy Sustainable Cities
What kind of assessment at A2?What kind of assessment at A2?Criteria AQA Edexcel OCR WJEC Style of assessment at A2
Total 4 hours Unit 3 2.5 hours A progression from short structured questions, to extended paragraphs, plus one essay Unit 4 1.5 hours Either Unit 4A a 1.5 hour exam evaluating candidates’ fieldwork investigation. Or Unit 4B a 1.5 hour exam on a pre-release issue analysis.
Total 4 hours Unit 3 2.5 hours. Includes pre-released synoptic resource material 3 weeks before exam. Candidates answer 2 extended written questions from Section A (Contested Planet) and all of B (Synoptic Investigation) Unit 4 1.5 hours. Candidates answer one essay on pre-released theme.
Total 3½ hours Unit 3 2 hours Section A: 3 structured questions requiring data response, and extended writing. Section B: 2 essays Unit 4 1.5 hours Section A: 2 questions to be done about different stages of their investigation. Section B: 1 piece of resource-based extended writing based on process of geographical investigation
Total 4 hours Unit 3 2.25 hours 2 essays, one from each optional theme studied one question based on the individual research enquiry from the findings of the pre-released topic area. Unit 4 1.75 hours Pre-released booklet covering combination of some or all of the 4 themes. Synoptic Section A; candidates draw on other studies from course.
Progression in assessment AS to A2?Progression in assessment AS to A2?Criteria AQA Edexcel OCR WJEC Styles of assessment
Units 1 & 2 Progression from short to extended responses, includes skills questions Unit 3 Progression structured answers to essay Unit 4 Analytical and / or evaluative extended writing depending on choice
Unit 1 Resource-based structured questions Unit 2 Essay Unit 3 Extended responses plus synoptic issue analysis Unit 4 Single Extended Essay
Unit 1 and 2 Progression from Section A (structured data response questions) to B (extended writing) Unit 3 Progression from structured answers to essays Unit 4 Single piece of extended writing
Units 1 & 2 Resource-based; progression from short to extended responses Unit 3 Two essays and one question based on the individual research enquiry Unit 4 Extended analytical writing
How is ‘stretch and challenge’ achieved?
Clear statement about use of open-ended questions, and higher order stems – analyse, evaluate etc. – plus use of extended writing
Clear statement about use of open-ended questions, and higher order stems – analyse, evaluate etc.
Use of extended writing
‘Improved synoptic assessment’
By general suggestions to teach beyond the concepts at AS.
General reference about differentiation. Use of extended writing in Unit 3. Final question of Unit 4
How much assessment? How flexible?How much assessment? How flexible?Criteria AQA Edexcel OCR WJEC Total examination time over 2 years
7 hours
6.5 hours
6.5 hours
7 hours
Timing of AS units
Unit 1 and Unit 2 available in both exam cycles
Unit 1 January and June Unit 2 June
Not specified, but implies that both available in January and June.
Unit 1 and Unit 2 available in both exam cycles
Timing of A2 units
Unit 3 and Unit 4 available in both exam cycles
Unit 3 Jan and June Unit 4 June only
Not specified, but implies that both available in January and June.
Unit 3 and Unit 4 available in both exam cycles
Pre-release materials?
Yes, if Unit 4B is selected (6-8 weeks ahead)
Yes, in each of units 3 and 4 (3 weeks ahead)
No Yes, Unit 4 (6 weeks ahead)
How is the synoptic element assessed?
Assessed through Units 3 and 4 – generic statement rather than specific references
As a part of Unit 3 – pre-released resource analysis
Assessed through Units 3 and 4 – generic statement rather than specific references
Assessed in Units 3 and 4; specific elements related to synopticity
Where’s the fieldwork or research? Where’s the fieldwork or research?
Criteria AQA Edexcel OCR WJEC How is fieldwork and investigative research approached?
Explicit requirement
for Unit 2 In Unit 2,
examination fieldwork forms basis of Q2
Explicit requirement
in specification Candidates
expected to use fieldwork in Unit 2 examination
Recognised as an element of teaching Units 1 and 2, but not prescribed or formally assessed
Explicit requirement in specification
Integrated into questions assessing Units 1 and 2, with one specific question focused on fieldwork
How is fieldwork and investigative research approached?
Fieldwork is an option for Unit 4
Investigative research in Unit 4. Fieldwork might assist depending upon theme chosen.
Dedicated Unit 4
Fieldwork may be essential for Unit 3 depending upon theme selected by Board.
Where assessed, can fieldwork or research be taken into the exam?
If Unit 4a chosen, yes
No
No
Not stated but assume not.
How much guidance is there for teachers? How much guidance is there for teachers?
Criteria AQA Edexcel OCR WJEC Specification Approach Š conceptual vs content, thematic or place
Generic approach Content lists to
provide guidance about what should be taught. These are usually presented as themes or components of the main units
Generic approach Key Questions to
focus the topic Key Ideas which
provide guidance Guidance for
teaching and learning to provide focus on theme, place and scale, and sometimes how it might be taught (e.g. student research)
Generic approach Questions to focus
the topic Key Ideas which
provide guidance Guidance for
teaching and learning to provide focus on theme, place and scale, and sometimes how it might be taught (e.g. student research)
Generic approach Key Questions to
focus the topic Content which
provides guidance for teaching and learning to provide focus on theme, place and scale
Illustrative examples of research to help focus teaching and learning
Suggested examples which provides guidance on place and/or scale or current issues
Links to other units, for curriculum mapping
Criteria AQA Edexcel OCR WJEC ‘New’ approaches / content / concepts; inclusion and importance of contemporary topics?
Concepts AS – Food and
energy supply, Health (though not new to this spec)
A2 – Globalisation,
Contemporary conflicts and challenges – very open choice
Concepts AS – globalisation,
climate change, re-branding places, unequal places and spaces
A2 – new
superpowers, energy security, water conflict, consumerism, technological fix.
Biodiversity, not
ecosystems Very up-to-date
exemplars used in Guidance
Concepts AS – energy
issues A2 – Environments
under threat, globalisation
Concepts AS – climate
change, urban process & change in MEDC, sustainability and flood risks etc
A2 – New
Superpowers; plus options e.g. Crime, Deprivation, Geography of Disease, Environmental Psychology
Unit 4 focus
explicitly on sustainability
How fresh or up-to-date are the new specs? How fresh or up-to-date are the new specs?
How much freedom of choice is there? How much freedom of choice is there?
Criteria AQA Edexcel OCR WJEC Options or compulsory?
Units 1 & 2 Core plus choice of 1 from 3 Unit 3 Choice of 3 from 6 Unit 4 Choice of style of assessment; freedom of choice if fieldwork chosen in Unit 4a
Units 1 and 3 Compulsory Unit 2 Choice of 2 from 4 Unit 4 Choice of 1 from 6
Unit 1 and 2 Choice of 2 from 4 in each unit Unit 3 Choice of 3 from 6 Unit 4 Freedom of choice of topic for fieldwork / investigation
Units 1, 2 and 4 Compulsory Unit 3 Choice in ¤A 2 from 6 Choice in ¤B made by WJEC
Final thoughts? Final thoughts? Criteria AQA Edexcel OCR WJEC Other remarks or features of note
An update from
the present specification
A lot of curriculum
choice; choice in every Unit.
Probably the
shortest specification and the simplest to follow.
An explicit attempt
to merge two specifications.
A significant
update from the present B specification, with integrated concepts and content from the A specification
Significant choice. Explicit use of
themes and concepts current within HEI.
Big on
sustainability. Very up-to-date
exemplars
An explicit attempt
to merge two specifications.
Offers choice in
every unit. Probably the most
traditional specification in appearance, but does not have to be taught in this way.
An update from
the present with a lot of contemporary concepts and issues.
More compulsory
content than others, but flexible Units at A2 reduce this and give the feeling of choice.
Big on
sustainability.