VCE Extended Investigation

Features of the study No pre-requisite Units 3 and 4 sequence only no discipline-specific prescribed content student directed Extended Investigation Journal lodgement of research question Critical thinking

Extended Investigation Journal Required for satisfactory completion of Units 3 and 4 – student responsibility record & monitor progress of research, milestones & timelines, record of b/ground readings bibliography mentor involvement Maintained over duration of study For authentication purposes, usage must be monitored by supervising teacher Subject to VCAA audit

Research question Mandated criteria for design of the question lodgement of proposed research question through VASS date will be published annually VCAA intervention if there is duplication with any other VCE study, whole group submissions, recycling of questions…….

Pedagogy Unit 3 Peer discussion, sharing, group activities about research skills, critical thinking exercises Unit 4 Independent preparation, writing of investigation; independent preparation of oral presentation

Role of the supervising teacher Prepare students for undertaking research through practical exercises in critical thinking guide support monitor supervise and authenticate

VCE rules apply VCAA Administrative Handbook rules for school-based assessment No undue assistance: Administrative information: Students section Rules of authentication: Scored assessment: School-based Assessment section No drafts – annotated or otherwise by teachers or mentors:

Authentication Extended Investigation Journal Submission of research question Critical Thinking Test Oral defence Authentication declaration

Audit Unit 3 – School-assessed Coursework Unit 4 – Extended Investigation Journal

Vigilance research ethics robustness and integrity of research question duplication of VCE content authentication

Assessment: S/N judgements Unit 3 Outcome 1 Research question Outcome 2 Research plan and oral report Outcome 3 Practical exercises in critical thinking Unit 4 Outcome 1 Written report submission Outcome 2 Oral presentation at school, (not scored) prior to external assessment

Assessment for study score: Unit 3 Outcome 1 Research question Outcome 2 Research plan and oral report School-assessed Coursework for Unit 3 contributes 30 per cent to the study score.

Validity and reliability Mandated assessment criteria and performance descriptors for Outcome 1 and 2 in Unit 3 Performance descriptors on a 10 point scale Critical Thinking Test Externally assessed Task (EAT) Specified conditions of assessment for orals

VCAA website study page Study design Advice for teachers Unit 4 marking rubrics Resources list Sample/past Critical Thinking Tests Assessment reports

VCE Extended Investigation Externally assessed Task (EAT)

Externally assessed Task Two discrete but connected components: Written Report Oral Presentation

Unit 4: Assessment Unit 4 Externally assessed Task (EAT) = 60% of study score Outcomes Assessment Tasks 1. Complete a written report for a non-specialist audience that presents and evaluates the results of the extended investigation Written report (4000 words) 60 marks 2. Explain the investigation and defend research findings in a presentation to a non-specialist audience. Oral presentation including response to panel questions (15–20 mins) 40 marks

Unit 4 Assessment for levels of performance Marking rubric for written report Marking rubric for oral presentation 10 point scale

Externally assessed Task Written Report Written report including: final research question 4,000 words with 10% tolerance a 250-300 word abstract body (development/methods/results) conclusion/evaluation bibliography/reference list appendices (if applicable). Submit to VCAA via SFTP in pdf format

Written Report Assessment Submitted in September Teachers mark and submit initial mark to VCAA Report independently double marked at the VCAA Discrepancy marking where necessary Teacher initial mark can be referenced for resolving unexpected, i.e., anomalous, external assessment outcomes

Oral Presentation Students assessed by two non- specialist assessors representing a general audience Assessors will have access to the abstract and written report Oral presentation 7-10 minutes Response to panel questions 8-10 minutes

Oral Presentation Speaker notes are permitted Presentation software may be used No additional electronic media (e.g. sound and video files) or props (e.g. laboratory equipment, costumes, scientific models or simulations) are permitted Timetable coordinated by VCAA MP3 voice recording Discrepancy marking from recording if required Assessors may confer but must submit independent, confidential scores conducted at venues organised by the VCAA

Timing of assessments Unit 4 Written report Student submission to school mid Sept Electronic submission of tasks & initial teacher score to VCAA early October Oral presentation First three weeks of October – simultaneous with Language orals and performance exams

Extended Investigation – Assessment The Critical Thinking Test and Externally Assessed Task (which are both double marked) provide an external reference score which forms the basis of the external assessment scale Statistical moderation is applied to GA1 (Unit 3 SACs) The GAT will be used where it improves the reliability of the alignment of the internal and external assessment scales Normal quality assurance processes would apply - these include the identification of groups where the internal and external assessment scales have a low correlation