A Teacher’s Guide to Entry Level Geography

Entry Level Geography Geography is one of a number of ‘Entry Level Certificates’ offered by CCEA which are designed to: Provide a first step on the National Qualifications Framework Be inclusive and accessible Provide for young people, students and learners of all ages Prepare learners for transition towards an independent life Provide flexible courses to meet individual needs Ensure appropriate assessment arrangements that are reliable and robust

Specification Structure The units to be studied are as follows: People and Where They Live Changing Employment Opportunities and Development The Physical World and Its Challenges The Sustainable Development of Tourism Challenges for Society and Environment

Fieldwork Investigation Course Structure External Assessment Coursework Assessment Component Folio 1 Folio 2 Oral Test Fieldwork Investigation Research Topic Weighting 20% Specification Unit Two units to be selected. Each folio based on one of Units 1, 2 or 3 Unit 4 *Unit 3 Fieldwork based on one of Units 1-3 Unit 5 * The Unit selected for the Fieldwork Investigation must be different from the two Units selected for the Folios.

Administration As soon as it is confirmed that you will be delivering the CCEA entry Level Geography specification, you should register by: Completing the Preliminary entry forms (see your Examinations Officer) Alternatively contact the Assessment Team Assessment Team CCEA Clarendon Dock 29 Clarendon Road Belfast BT1 3BG Joan Jennings tel: 028 9026 1288 jjennings@ccea.org.uk This in important as it ensures relevant documentation relating to the course is sent to you.

Administration Having registered you can then decide on the design of the course: 2 folio items Each folio based on one of units 1, 2 or 3. 1 fieldwork investigation Based on one of units 1 – 3: Note: must be different from the units selected for the folios 1 research topic Unit 5 Challenges for Society and Environment Oral Test An understanding of the Key Ideas of Unit 4 The Sustainable Development of Tourism will be assessed by an Oral Test. This will be produced by CCEA.

Administration If you are a new centre taking Entry Level Geography for the first time or an existing centre changing the design of your course: Complete forms A, B and C (available on pages 36 -38 in the specification) Send to the Assessment Team at CCEA with copies of all relevant documentation: Worksheets Mark scheme Please ensure that the submission is in line with the current specification

Administration Existing Centre using the same design as previous cycle Copy the previous submission, amend the date and submit forms A, B and C (pages 36 -38 in the specification) Please note: teachers should ensure that each design is not used for more than three cycles before being re-designed, amended or updated.

Administration There is no need to plan the full two year course at the start; the following provides a guideline to teachers showing when outlines might be submitted for approval. Unit Date to be sent to CCEA Folio 1 Autumn Term Folio 2 Spring Term Fieldwork Investigation Second year of course Research Topic

Designing Folio Tasks For detailed guidance please see pages 24 – 26 in the specification A folio must contain three pieces of work (tasks) Each task should be an exercise completed in the classroom under timed, supervised conditions In total the folio should take 3-4 hours to complete

Designing Folio Tasks In order to ensure breadth of coverage of the specification, the two folios together must address different: Places, e.g. local and a contrasting location Types of data, e.g. photographical, numerical Skills, e.g. cartographical, graphical, diagrammatic Issues, e.g. environmental

Designing the Fieldwork Investigation The investigation must be designed to test one of Units 1-3 The study should be based on the candidate’s home area The students may work together as a group following a design set out by the teacher but recording, drawing graphs, making conclusions must be completed by the individual student under supervision The data collection component should take no more that half a day

Designing the Fieldwork Investigation The investigation should be short and focused, i.e. a narrow question based on one Detailed Learning Outcome The teacher should set clear guidelines for the candidates to set up and carry through the investigation design A manageable problem should be defined The study should be designed so as to answer a question Data must be collected Data must be analysed and presented (as diagrams and maps Conclusions must be reached which are related to the original question

The Research Topic The Research Topic tests Unit 5: Challenges for Society and Environment Choice should be made from one of the five Key Ideas: Human Activity has an impact upon the atmosphere and the environment. There are sustainable approaches to energy use and the development of renewable energy resources There is a need to provide adequate food supplies & clean drinking water for an increasing world population Conservation versus development Ecotourism poses challenges for society and environment.

The Research Topic It is important to set clear guidelines for the candidates to set up and carry through the task Presentation could take a range of formats Video oral presentation Newspaper report Posters Storyboard PowerPoint presentation Use of ICT in research and presentation is highly recommended The research topic should be short and focused and based on secondary data The marking criteria relate to quality

The Research Topic A Tracking Sheet is being introduced on a pilot basis Available to download online To be completed by the candidate and attached to the research topic Intended to help teachers allocate marks for the first assessment criteria Research of material relevant to the enquiry and knowledge/understanding of relevant concepts, ideas and facts Does not replace the Candidate Record Sheet

Carrying out the Oral Test The Oral Test can provide some students, who may have difficulty with written work, with an opportunity to demonstrate qualities, skills and abilities possibly not revealed in the written form The Oral Test will be produced by CCEA but will be administrated by the class teacher The Oral Test will be moderated using audio cassettes

Carrying Out the Oral Test The Assessment Pack contains: Teacher’s Notes Resource Folder Questions Mark Scheme and Assessment Sheet The assessment may be held at the centre’s convenience between mid-January and mid-March Candidates will be able to study the resource materials for one week preceding the assessment There is no prescribed time limit for Oral Test; however, it should take around 5 – 10 minutes to complete

Marking the work Assessment Criteria and Mark Schemes are given in the specification Folios – pages 25-26 Fieldwork Investigation – pages 30-31 Research Topic – pages 32-33 Oral Test – pages 28-29 N.B. Mark Scheme and Assessment Sheet will accompany pack from CCEA Please annotate the work to show evidence for the marks awarded Complete Candidate Record Sheets and Class Record Sheet Remember - NO HALF MARKS!

Number of candidates entered Sample sent for moderation Postal Submission of Coursework: Instructions to Teachers will be forwarded to centres Select appropriate sample (see table) Ensure the work included in the sample represents: Each teaching group Full range of ability Include a copy of the Mark Scheme if relevant Number of candidates entered Sample sent for moderation Up to 5 candidates All candidates 6-15 candidates 5 candidates 16-30 candidates 8 candidates Over 30 candidates 10 candidates

Moderation The details of the sample are: For each selected candidate: folios for two of the core units fieldwork investigation research topic Taped answers to oral questions for all candidates Note: no more than two candidates per side on a cassette tape; please remember to label the cassette The class record sheet completed for all candidates

Available Support The following material may be down loaded from www.ccea.org.uk: Entry Level Geography Specification Support Material (issued September 2005) (also available in hard copy from Distribution) Chief Examiner’s report Exemplar folios: a number of exemplar folio tasks have been produced and are available for you to use or amended to suit the needs of your candidates – see next slide for details

Exemplar Folio Tasks Unit 1: People and Where They Live Distribution and Density of Population in Northern Ireland Living in a Shanty Town Shopping Patterns Unit 2: Changing Employment Opportunities and Development Changes in the Linen Industry Aid Poster Jobs and Training Leaflet Unit 3: The Changing World and Its Challenges Newspaper Report: A Volcanic Eruption Making a Weather Forecast

Available Support Copies of past Oral Tests are also available upon request Annual agreement trial – usually held in October Guidance on all units Exemplar materials Consultative moderators will provide guidance and support in relation to your submissions for approval Centre visits can be arranged by contacting CCEA directly.