biology webinar 2014/##### © 2014 school curriculum and standards authority

Biology

Webinar

2014/##### © 2014 School Curriculum and Standards Authority

BIOLOGY

ATAR Course

How has the content changed?

• Adopted from the Australian Curriculum

• Three interrelated strands: Science Inquiry Skills, Science as a Human Endeavour and Science Understanding

• Structure of the course (rationale, aims, unit structure, unit description, unit learning outcomes)

• Science Inquiry Skills

• Adapted from the Australian Curriculum

• Science Understanding

• Science as a Human Endeavour

ATAR Biology content

ATAR Biology 2015-2016 WACE Course

Unit 1: Ecosystems and biodiversityEcosystems: biodiversity and sustainability (all WACE units)

Unit 2: From single cells to multicellular organisms

The functioning organism (Units 2A and 3A)

Unit 3: Continuity of speciesContinuity of species (Units 2B and 3B)

Unit 4: Surviving in a changing environment

The functioning organism (Unit 3A)No match for ‘Infectious disease’

How has assessment changed?

• Investigation title changed to Science Inquiry for consistency with the syllabus content o Science inquiry: practicalo Science inquiry: investigation.

• Tests and examinations separated as types of assessment.• Assessment type weightings are a fixed percentage rather

than a range.• Refined descriptions

Year 11 ATAR Assessment table

New for 2015/16 Existing (Stage 2)

Type Weighting Type Weighting

Science inquiry 30% Investigation 20-30%

Extended response

10%Extended response

20-30%

Test 20% Tests and exams 40-60%

Examination 40%

Year 12 ATAR Assessment table




Extended response


20-30%


Examination 50%

How have examinations changed?Examination section ATAR Course Current WACE Stage 3

One (multiple choice)

30%30 questions

30%30 questions

Two (short answer)

50%4-6 questions

50%4-6 questions

Three (extended answer)

20%

Unit 3: One question from a choice of two

Unit 4: One question from a choice of two

20%

Part A: Two questions from a choice of three

Part B: Two questions from a choice of three

BIOLOGY

General Course

How has the content changed?

• Three interrelated strands: Science Inquiry Skills, Science as a Human Endeavour and Science Understanding

• The Science Inquiry Skills continue from the Year 7-10 AC Science Inquiry Skills and provide continuity for students

• Statements broadly correspond to content in Stage 1 and Stage 2 of the WACE course

• A practical emphasis in teaching the content

General Biology content

GENERAL Biology 2015-2016 WACE course

Unit 1: Classification and cell processesEcosystems: biodiversity and sustainability (Units 1A & 2A)The functioning organism (Units 1A & 2A)

Unit 2: Solving problems to survive The functioning organism (Units 1B & 2A)

Unit 3: Reproduction and inheritance Continuity of species (Units 1B & 2B)

Unit 4: Ecosystems and eco-issuesEcosystems: biodiversity and sustainability (Units 1A, 1B, 2A & 2 B)

How has assessment changed?

• Investigation title changed to Science Inquiry for consistency with the syllabus content o Science inquiry: practicalo Science inquiry: investigation.

• Tests and examinations replaced by Tests• Externally set task added in Year 12• Assessment type weightings are a fixed percentage rather

than a range.• Refined descriptions

Year 11 General Biology Assessment table




Extended response


30-50%


Year 12 General Biology Assessment table




Extended response


20-30%


Externally set task 15%

What is the role of the EST?• Purpose - An Externally Set Task (EST) process will be introduced for

General courses at Year 12. The task will be used for consensus moderation purposes.

• On a rotation basis, schools will be required to submit marks and a sample of scripts to the Authority for validation of marks.

• These processes will inform moderation visits the following year.

• Administration – the task will be approximately 60 minutes in duration and be completed individually by students under test conditions.

• Sample - available on the website

SCSA support materials available

A range of support materials can be found on the Authority’s website: www.scsa.wa.edu.au

• Sample examination • Sample EST

Year 11 support materials will be released later in 2014

• Sample course outline • Sample assessment outline• Sample assessment tasks (one for each assessment type)

Year 12 support materials will be released in 2015

http://www.scsa.wa.edu.au/

Other support

• Systems and sectors

• Nolene Harris

Principal Consultant – Curriculum, Biology

Ph: (08) 9273 6727

Email: [email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

biology webinar 2014/##### © 2014 school curriculum and standards authority

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