Understanding Standards: Nominee Training Event Media

Aims of the Day To support Nominees in their understanding of national standards by: Reviewing candidate evidence Discussing this evidence and associated assessment standards with colleagues Developing an understanding of the requirements to attain the National Standard in National 4 Added Value Unit and Higher Media units Developing an understanding of the standardisation procedure Reflecting on the key messages from 2015-16

Agenda Introduction and Welcome Workshop 1 – National 4 Added Value Unit Workshop 2 – Higher Workshop 3 – Verification Plenary

Understanding Standards Standardisation Focus on the assessment standards Review of key messages: National 4 Added Value Unit Assessment standards at Higher Opportunities to assess across assessment standards (naturally occurring evidence) Prior Verification Unit Assessment Support Pack revisions Making Assessment Judgements

Providing Information Materials will be available to Nominees Disseminate information to colleagues Information will be published on SQA’s open website Candidate evidence will be available on SQA’s secure website

Role of Nominee Feedback on meetings with SQA and other nominees to support colleagues in terms of SQA policy and procedures. Cascading may take place through face to face meetings, phone conversations, discussion forums, Skype, e-mail, video conferencing etc. Nominees will take part in a standardisation procedure as part of training at each event, for example, by reviewing units and evidence to ensure common understanding of the standards and possible approaches to assessment.

Key Messages Higher: the main concerns identified revolve around “complex and detailed” analysis and justification included in candidate evidence. Linking of relevant textual references to valid arguments and analysis in candidate evidence. National 4 Added Value Unit: where candidate evidence from the Assignment in National 5 is to be used as evidence for the National 4 Added Value Unit. How to address Added Value Unit assessment standards 1.1 and 1.4.

Unit Assessment Support Packs Centres can use SQA produced Unit Assessment Support Packs or generate their own assessment instruments. Where a centre created their own assessment instruments, it is advised they seek Prior Verification from SQA. Centres are reminded that evidence should be assessed when the candidate is ready and to look out for naturally occurring evidence where it may arise. Individual Candidate Assessment Records are a useful tool in recording naturally occurring evidence.

Revisions to Unit Assessment Support Packs and Higher Minor clarifications have been made to UASPs following verification activity and centre feedback Media: Analysing Media Content UASPs, National 3-Higher, have been subject to minor revisions. Assessment standard 1.5 at Higher is under consultation for session 2017-18.

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