preparing to teach as and a-level physics specifications gavin probert/ david hodkinson/ lee martin...

Copyright © AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved.

Preparing to teachAS and A-level Physics specifications

Gavin Probert/ David Hodkinson/ Lee MartinSummer 2015

Follow us on Twitter @AQACPD.

Programme

09.45 - 10.00 Tea/coffee on arrival10.00 - 10.15 Introductions, housekeeping10.15 - 10.25 Your aims for today, Activity 110.25 - 10.40 Timeline and rationale for changes10.40 - 11.00 Assessment model and outline of specifications11.00 - 11.15 Options 11.15 - 11.30 Tea/coffee break 11.30 - 12.00 Co-teachability, Activity 212.00 - 12.30 Multiple-Choice, Activity 312.30 - 13:15 Lunch13.15 - 14.00 Practical assessment. 14.00 - 14:15 Practical endorsement 14.15 - 14:45 Activity 414.45 - 15.00 Monitoring visits and keeping records, Activity 5 video15.00 - 15.10 Resources – online and publishers.15.10 - 15.30 Question and answer session15.30 - 15.45 Support from AQA and completion of evaluation forms15.45 CloseSlide 2 Copyright © AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved. Follow us on Twitter @AQACPD.

Activity 1 – your aims

Slide 3 Copyright © AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved.

What do you want to achieve from this event?

Notations

• Specification

• Assessment model

• Assessment objectives

• Common to all boards

• AQA specific

Slide 4 Copyright © AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved. Follow us on Twitter @AQACPD.

Changes to the Ofqual rules



Timeline

Sept 2014

June 2015

Sept 2015

June 2016

Sept 2016

June 2017

Sept 2017

June 2018

Legacy A-level Biology, Chemistry, Physics

Last two years teaching

ASexams

Last A2 exams

New A-level Biology, Chemistry, Physics

First teaching

First AS exams

FirstA-level exams

Legacy GCSE Sciences

Last two years teaching

Last linear GCSE

New GCSE Sciences

Draft specs in schools

First teaching

First linear GCSE

Slide 6

Ofqual rules for the new A-levels in sciences

• AS and A-level decoupled.• Both courses are LINEAR.• AS at the current standard of the current AS (eg end of year 12).• A-level at the standard of the current A-level (eg the whole of AS and A2,

end of year 13).

AS A-level

Minimum assessment time 3 hours 6 hours

Maximum number of components 2 3

Coursework/controlled assessment? No No

Endorsement No Yes

Practical marks 15% 15%

Maths marks 10%(B), 20%(C), 40%(P)


Slide 4 Copyright © AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved.Slide 7

New assessment objectives (AOs)


AO1 Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of scientific ideas, processes, techniques and procedures.

AO2 Apply knowledge and understanding of scientific ideas, processes, techniques and procedures:

• in a range of theoretical and practical contexts; • when handling qualitative and quantitative data.

AO3 Analyse, interpret and evaluate scientific information, ideas and evidence, including in relation to issues, to:

• Make judgements and reach conclusions• Develop and refine practical design and procedures.

These apply to both AS and A-level


Weighting of AOs for A-level Physics

Slide 9

The new A-level specification


Core Content needed by all students – 60% subject criteria used by all boards.

AQA Extra content all students must do

Optional units

Basic requirements for progression to further study in Physics, Engineering or STEM subjects

Areas of extra content identified by our HE panel and/or teachers as useful or important for students.Often a logical extension of core content or exemplification allowing further skills development.

Areas of content that encourage interest and support progression, but that are not essential for further study in the subject.

Principles underpinning the A-level specification


AS and A-level specifications at a glance - 1

• Options retained at A-level, minor changes only with one new Option.

• Similar core content to before - changes are minor but significant - based on teacher feedback.

Slide 12 Copyright © AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved.Copyright © AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved.

Physics - 40% extra contentCourse Additional content Why we’ve added it

AS and A-levelSpecific charge, nuclear interactions and forces, particle interactions, classification of particles (standard model)

Modern Physics material, encourages interest in the subject by using contemporary examples that are often reported in the media.

AS and A-levelElectron collisions with atoms, energy levels and photon emission

Supports and links other work with electron interactions, eg photoelectric effect

AS and A-level Refraction at plane surfacesCore concept that is extended in several of the optional topics

AS and A-level MomentsExtension to mechanics allowing applications in many engineering contexts

AS and A-level Potential dividerExtension of current electricity; important for application to real life applications of electrical theory

A-level onlySimple harmonic systems, forced vibrations and resonance.

Extension and exemplifications for SHM theory, allowing applications in many engineering contexts.

A-level only Orbits of planets and satellitesExemplification of field theory, adds interest and links to contemporary contexts

A-level only Alternating currents and transformersLink to electromagnetic induction, important for application to real life applications of electrical theory

A-level only Nuclear instability, nuclear radiusExtension of AS work and E=mc2 and nuclear changes, allows deeper understanding of the concepts.

A-level only Safety aspects of nuclear fission reactorsExtension to societal and environmental aspects of nuclear radiation

A-level only Optional Topics

Astrophysics, Electronics,Engineering Physics, Medical Physics, Turning points in Physics.

Each topic allows students to study one smaller area in greater depth. Teachers can choose the topics to match the skills and interests of their students.



Specification order is mostly the same but you will have greater flexibility in how you teach it.



Easy to identify AS material to facilitate co-teachability.

Straightforward assessments with variety of question types.


Changes to the specification – 1


Left hand side: Content.Everything on this side can be assessed in question papers.Clear. Includes enough detail to show what is required.

Required practicals are here also.

Right hand side: Opportunities for skills development. This is not assumed knowledge for the assessment.

Shows where teachers could introduce:AT – apparatus and techniquesMS – mathematical skillsPS – practical skills.

The numbers reference appendices at the back of the specification.

Each section begins with an overview to put the topic into a biological context and will NOT be directly assessed.

Changes to the specification - 2


Options:• introduction of Electronics • revision and re-titling of Applied physics to Engineering

physics• updating of Astrophysics, Medical physics and Turning

points in physics.



Your experience with options

The assessment models


AS level assessment at a glance


Two written papers

Paper 1: 50% 1 hour 30 mins written exam70 marks

Paper 2: 50% 1 hour 30 mins written exam70 marks


AS assessment in more detail - 1

Paper 1

Content• Measurements and Errors• Particles and radiation• Waves• Mechanics and energy• Electricity

Questions• 70 marks of questions (short answers and structured questions)


AS assessment in more detail - 2

Paper 2

Content• All topics • Practical skills• Data analysis

Questions• Section A: 20 Marks of questions on practical skills and data

analysis• Section B: 20 marks of questions from across all areas of AS

content• Section C: 30 Multiple choice questions



Three written papers

Paper 1:

34% • 2 hours written exam

• 85 marks

Paper 2: 34% • 2 hours written exam

• 85 marks

Paper 3: 32% • 2 hours written exam

• 80 marks


A-level assessment in more detail - 1

Slide 24

Paper 1

Content– Measurements and errors– Particles and radiation– Waves– Mechanics and materials– Electricity– Further Mechanics

Questions– Section A: 60 marks of structured questions.– Section B: 25 Multiple choice questions.



.

Paper 2

Content―Measurements and errors―Thermal Physics―Fields and their consequences―Nuclear Physics

Questions– Section A: 60 marks of structured questions.– Section B: 25 multiple choice questions.

Copyright © AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved.Slide 25


Slide 26

Paper 3

All contentPractical skills

• One optional topic from :– Astrophysics– Medical Physics– Engineering physics– Turning points in physics– Electronics

• Questions• Section A: 45 marks of written questions on practical experiments

and data analysis.• Section B: 35 marks of questions on optional topic.



Activity 2 - assessing AS topics at A-level

Slide 27

In your group, chose an AS topic from the specification and write an AS and A-level question for it.


Your questions

Co-teaching AS and A-level



Activity 2 - assessing AS topics at A-level

Slide 31

In your group, chose an AS topic from the specification and write an AS and A-level question for it.


Strategies for linearity

Slide 32

Discuss strategies for linearity

• No need to recap everything• Natural progression of skills• Use of skills sheets• Starter quizzes• Student created video clips• What other ideas do we have?

Preparing students for different question types


Familiar structure exemplars – essay


AS, Paper 1 questions 2, 2.1 and 2.2


Familiar structure exemplars – essay


AS, Paper 1 questions 2.3 and 2.4


Familiar structure exemplars – structured


A-level, Paper 2, questions 2, 2.1 and 2.2

Familiar structure exemplars – multiple choice

Side 38 Copyright © AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved.

A-level Paper 1, questions 11 and 12


Familiar structure exemplars - multiple choice


A-level, Paper 1 questions 13 and 15




A-level, Paper 1 question 19 and 17




A-level, Paper 1 question 21



Identify which of the pair is AS or A-level

Activity 3 – multiple choice questions

Familiar structure exemplars – old ISA/EMPA


A-level Paper 3, question 3.1 refractive index


Familiar structure exemplars – old ISA/EMPA


A-level, Paper 3 question 3.2, refractive index


Familiar structure exemplars - old ISA/EMPA


A-level, Paper 3 question 3.3 refractive index




A-level, Paper 3, question 3.4 refractive index




A-level, Paper 3, questions 3.5,3.6,and 3.7 refractive index


New style exemplars – extended stem




New style exemplars - extended stem




Skills and styles in questions – structured


A-level, Paper 2 question 2.1 and 2.2

Skills and styles in questions – structured


A-level, Paper 2 question 2.3 and 2.4


Command words



Your comments


Time for lunch


AS and A-level Practical

What is practical work and why so important?

• It supports and consolidates scientific knowledge and understanding.

• It develops investigative skills.

• It builds and mastery of practical skills.

Copyright © AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved.Slide 56 Copyright © AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved.


Assessment for A-level

• Questions will be asked in the papers based on practical work. It will be assumed that all students have done all 12 and understand the underlying skills, apparatus and techniques.

Questions in exam papers

At least 12 required practicals

Cross-board agreement on required apparatus and techniques

Slide 57

Required practicals – AS and full A-level


Required practicals – full A-level only


What can’t be tested in exams?

• Exam papers cannot test students’ abilities to:

– follow instructions

– work safely

– use equipment

– make measurements.

• These will be assessed via practical endorsement.



Apparatus and techniques - all Physics specs

Slide 61

Linking apparatus, techniques and required activity


Assessment: for endorsement

Teacher assesses students abilities in practical work through a set of competencies. Holistic judgement at the end of a two-year course.

Students’ practical skills in at least 12 practicals

12 required practical activities

Teacher devised practical experiences

Five competencies:1. Follows written instructions2. Applies investigative approaches and methods when using instruments and equipment3. Safely uses a range of practical equipment and materials4. Makes and records observations5. Researches, references and reports

Endorsement of practical skills


Practical skills questions in papers

1. Questions set in a practical context, where the question centres on the science, not the practical work.

2. Questions that require specific aspects of a practical procedure to be understood in order to answer a question about the underlying science.

3. Questions directly on the required practical procedures.

4. Questions applying the skills from the required practical procedures and the apparatus and techniques list.


Activity 4(a) practical 3 - determination of g


In your groups, devise a student practical for a determination of g

by free fall.

Include a method, diagrams, apparatus and any student questions

that are to be asked.

Activity 4(b) practical 3 – determination of g


Share your findings with the rest of the group.

Activity 4(c) practical 3 – determination of g


How could this practical be assessed in the exam?

Practical questions


A-level, Paper 3 question 01

Practical questions


A-level, Paper 3 question 01.1

Activity 4(d) identifying practical skills in questions

1. Questions set in a practical context, where the question centres on the science, not the practical work.

2. Questions that require specific aspects of a practical procedure to be understood in order to answer a question about the underlying science.

3. Questions directly on the required practical procedures.

4. Questions applying the skills from the required practical procedures and the apparatus and techniques list.


How do the questions relate to the following four types of questions? Label each question 1, 2, 3 or 4.

Assessment of practical skills at A-level



Assessment of practical skills at A-level continued


A-level, Paper 3 questions 01.3 and 01.4



A-level, Paper 3 questions 01.5 and 01.6

Practical handbooks


Practical handbooks


• Combined practical handbook: – how the practical endorsement works– guidelines about tabulating data, significant figures,

uncertainties, graphing, statistical tests.

• Physics practical handbook:– student protocols for each of the 12 required practical

activities– practical activities designed with CLEAPSS– practical ladders.

Slide 77

Developing practical skills


Matching skills to student ability


Least choice

Some choice

Many choices

Full investigation

Increasing independence

Slide 79

The practical endorsement

• Developed with Higher Education (HE) input

• Teacher assessed

• Only at A-level

• Holistic judgement

• A pass will be recorded on the student's certificate

• To reward students for mastering practical skills

• Possibly required for straight science course at HE



The practical endorsement continued

Name Board Level Code Title Grade Practical endorsement

Bloggs, J AQA GCE A Level

7408 Physics B Pass

Other, A.N.

AQA GCE A Level

7408 Physics B _

Slide 81


Assessment for endorsement

The teacher will assess students’ abilities in practical work through a set of competencies. This will be a holistic judgement at the end of a two year course.

Students’ practical skills

At least 12 required practicals

Teacher devised practical experiences

Five competencies

Endorsement of practical skills

Slide 82


Physics apparatus and techniques

Slide 83


12 required practicals

Slide 84


The common practical assessment criteria (CPAC)

Please refer to the CPAC in the Practical handbook for full details.

1. Follows written procedures.

2. Applies investigative approaches.

3. Safely uses a range of practical equipment and materials.

4. Makes and records observations.

5. Researches, references and reports.

Slide 85


Activity 5 - investigative approaches and researching

You have been allocated one of the 12 required practicals and a suggested method.

• How would you plan this practical into your SOW to allow students to demonstrate investigative skills? You can amend or even ignore the suggested method.

Slide 86


Investigative approaches and research

How can teachers include investigative approaches and research in practicals?

Example: discharging a capacitor:

– research different methods/conditions– justify the method being chosen– choose equipment– decide how to carry out the experiment– research safety aspects of chosen method– research or justify appropriate uses for their given circuit– evaluate the differences in results between different students / groups of

students.

Not every part of this would be

required in any practical

Slide 87


Evidence required for endorsement

• Documented plans to carry out sufficient practical activities which meet the requirements of the CPAC, incorporating skills and techniques detailed in appendix 5, over the course of the A-level.

• A record of each practical activity undertaken and the date when this was completed.

• A record of the criteria being assessed in that practical activity.• A record of student attendance.• A record of which student met the criteria and which did not.• Student work showing evidence required for the particular task with date.• Any associated materials provided for the practical activity eg written

instructions.

Slide 88


Activity 6 - assessing for practical endorsement

Watch video of students carrying out practical work and decide which competencies you would award them?

Practical video

Slide 89

Supporting students in practical work - 1


• Clarify the importance of keeping a lab book or other records of practical work

• Warn students against plagiarism and copying

• Explain the learning criteria for each skill

• Use clearly defined learning outcomes

• Start with simple tasks initially

• Teach practical work in your preferred order

Slide 90

Supporting students in practical work - 2


• Use feedback

• Don’t give marks

• Give feedback promptly

• Use peer assessment

• Use group work

Schemes of work and teaching resources


Resources on website - 1


Resources on website – 2 Plan, Teach, Assess


Resource on website - 3



• AQA have consolidated the command words for consistency (ie they mean the same thing across GCSE and A-level and also between subjects).

• Command words, where possible, are at the start of the sentences in the question papers.

Analyse, consider, discuss…

Define…

Describe…

Deduce

Draw

Explain…

Justify

Outline…

State / Give…

Suggest…

Command words

Textbooks


Contact details

• Customer support [email protected] 477 756 (Option 2)

• Teacher Support Manager Eilish Gorse CPD Manager Ros Nixon

[email protected] 0161 957 3646

• AQA Website

aqa.org.uk/



Final questions

preparing to teach as and a-level physics specifications gavin probert/ david hodkinson/ lee martin...

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