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A Level Practical Endorsement Training
The document discusses practical work and assessment for A-Level biology. It provides information on: 1. The purposes of practical work including supporting concepts, developing investigative skills, and building practical skills. 2. Key terms like CPAC (Competence, Performance and Application of Knowledge and Skills) and AT (Apparatus and Techniques) which are used to assess practical skills. 3. Details on the 12 required practical activities that must be covered and examples of skills like using a microscope and recrystallization.
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A Level Practical Endorsement Training
- 1.
- 2. Practical workat A Level. Changes in assessment. CPAC & AT What are they? How do they impact on my planning and teaching? Monitoring visit. Future work.
- 3. 1. To supportand consolidate scientific concepts (knowledge and understanding). This is done by applying and developing what is known and understood of abstract ideas and models. Through practical work we are able to make sense of new information and observations, and provide insights into the development of scientific thinking. 2. To develop investigative skills. These transferable skills include: a. devising and investigating testable questions b. identifying and controlling variables c. analysing, interpreting and evaluating data. 3. To build and master practical skills such as: a. using specialist equipment to take measurements b. handling and manipulating equipment with confidence and fluency c. recognising hazards and planning how to minimise risk. Source: AQA Biology Practical Handbook, 2015
- 4. Source: AQA BiologyPractical Handbook, 2015
- 5. Apparatus and techniques Thesehave been agreed by all exam boards, so all students will have experienced similar practical work after following a science A-level course. Examples: Use of light microscope at high power and low power, including use of a graticule Purify a solid product by recrystallization Use laser or light source to investigate characteristics of light 12 required practical activities These have been specified by each exam board. They cover the apparatus and techniques for each subject – so teachers do not have to worry about whether they are all covered. Examples: Use of aseptic techniques to investigate the effect of antimicrobial substances on microbial growth Carry out simple test-tube reactions to identify cations and anions in aqueous solution Determination of g by a free-fall method. Source: AQA Biology Practical Handbook
- 6. 1. Assessment inexam papers (assessed by exam board). 15% of written assessment at AS & A Level will be focused on practical skills. 2. Practical endorsement (assessed by centres) Pass or Unclassified.
- 7. Source: OCR PracticalEndorsement Training
- 8. 1. Follows writtenprocedures 2. Applies investigative approaches and methods when using instruments and equipment 3. Safely uses a range of practical equipment and materials 4. Makes and records observations 5. Researches, references and reports
- 12. Source: Catherine WitterPowerPoint
- 13. Source: Catherine WitterPowerPoint
- 14. Source: Catherine WitterPowerPoint
- 15. Slide 15 Copyright© AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved.
- 16. Source: Catherine WitterPowerPoint
- 17. Source: Catherine WitterPowerPoint
Editor's Notes
- #4 We need to ensure that practicals are not seen as an ‘add-on’ to a course but an integral part of it. There are three key purposes to have in mind when planning practical work and also the assessment of practical skills.
- #5 The idea with the new style of practical assessment in A Level Science is not that a student gets it right first time, but that they develop their skills as the 2 year course progresses and by the end of the course they are proficient in the skills required to work in science.
- #6 There are two elements of practical work in the reformed A Levels. The first is a specified list of apparatus and techniques that pupils will be expected to know. This list has been agreed for each subject so is the same for all boards. The second is a list of 12 required practicals. These may be different depending on the exam board chosen.
- #7 Pupils will be assessed on their knowledge of apparatus and equipment and the core practicals in exam papers. Their practical skills will also be assessed by teachers so that pupils can be given a pass or unclassified (wording not necessarily the exact wording that will be given) on the practical endorsement.
- #8 Using the principles outlined on the slide, we need to stress that these new arrangements are not to be feared but should be embraced. This is our opportunity to develop pupils’ practical skills at A Level and to ensure we are giving them the best preparation for a degree in Science.
- #9 These are the 5 criteria pupils will be judged against to achieve the practical endorsement. These are further subdivided.
- #10 We can use the pen portraits to ensure that we are clear on what constitutes a pass for each criteria, and obviously what does not.
- #11 Examples of pen portrait. Click on picture to be taken to AQA practical endorsement training website. Go through each criteria and watch videos and discuss points raised.
- #12 Discuss document that teachers could use when assessing CPACs. Click on picture takes to document in Dropbox. Discuss as a department the need to produce own versions of these documents.
- #13 An outline of the materials required for the monitor visit.
- #14 Examples shown by Catherine Witter during the ASE conference session. The sheets demonstrate how other schools have been highlighting with pupils the CPAC skills.
- #15 Lab books can take any form – can be folders for example. As long as all the practical work is together. It is okay to use writing frames for pupils work.
- #16 Examples of how pupils and teachers are tracking the development of proficiency in the CPAC skills.
- #17 There is no defined number of times that a pupil needs to complete each CPAC or have evidence of completion for each CPAC. There is also not a requirement to use the 12 core practicals to assess the CPACs.
- #18 The AQA tracker spreadsheet can be adapted and used by schools.