Slide 1 Edexcel Entry Level Certificate: Delivering the 2012 Entry Level Geography qualification 11OGM03/01

Aim of the session: To help teachers prepare students for delivery of the revised 2012 Edexcel Entry Level Certificate in Geography, this session will: - Give an overview of the structure and content of the new qualification - Explore the differences between the new qualification and the legacy Entry Level Certificate in Geography - Explain how fieldwork forms an important part of the qualification. - Look at sample assessment materials - Address any questions Slide 2

Entry Level Certificates (ELCs): Subject-based qualifications for candidates who are currently working below the level required to obtain a GCSE grade G. Are on the first level of the National Qualifications Framework. Can cover any area of learning from life skills to literacy, religious studies to retail. Develops skills from KS3, including practical skills. 100% teacher assessed (externally moderated). Are flexible courses that benefit candidates of any age Can be delivered alongside GCSE in the classroom (co- teaching). What are ELCs? (Entry Level Certificates)

Benefits of an ELC course Edexcel qualifications in Geography allow the opportunity to develop: −graphical and cartographical skills −technological skills, including ICT and GIS −interpersonal skills through debate and discussion −literacy and numeracy −problem solving skills −decision-making skills Specifically the Edexcel ELC in Geography: - allows you to set short-term goals and clear learning objectives - creates flexibility for learners and your centre and allows the opportunity for: −shared ownership of the route through the course −regular assessment of progress and development −the celebration of success −individual short-term target setting. allows centres to choose their own exemplars /specialisims

Looking at the specification Slide 5 This is the legacy specification...the revised is very similar but has been ‘refreshed’ The 2012 specification maintains the overall structure and content from the legacy specification

What is the taught structure of the new specification (2012)? Unit 1: Physical Environments: (1) Rivers, (2) Coasts, (3) Earthquakes and volcanoes, and (4) Tropical rainforests Unit 2: Human Environments: (5) Population, (6) Cities, (7) Urban transport, and (8) Work Unit 3: Global issues: (9) Climate change, (10) Energy, (11) Water supply, (12) Tourism, (13) Development, (14) Trade and aid, (15) Farming and (16) Manufacturing Overall structure See the Specification in the download area of this training session

Detailed content: Unit 1 & 2 Slide 7 The specification is laid out clearly, with three Key ideas for each Topic (Unit 1 & 2). A list of key terms is also included at the end of each Topic

Unit 3 details Slide 8 For Unit 3 there is one teacher-devised Research Task from the 7 Topics. See example (“Example Topic Test”) in the dowloads Each Topic has 2 x Key ideas in Unit 3

Summary of assessment The Fieldwork Study can be linked to any topic in Unit 1 and Unit 2. Overall there are eight Topic Tests from Unit 1 and Unit 2. These are provided by Edexcel. Students need to only do three tests Topic Tests are 25 minutes and can be redone

Research Task Assessment (Unit 3) Refer to pages in the Specification. Can take a variety of formats, e.g. role-play, leaflets, posters etc.

The Fieldwork Study Slide 11 Based on any one Topic from Unit 1 or Unit 2. Examples of fieldwork opportunities are included within the specification The majority of Fieldwork Study report should be word processed and include at least one digital image, digital map or GIS map. A focus / aims / key Qs are important to give structure

Planning and organising your fieldwork Fieldwork must be based on actually going-out into the ‘field’ and collecting first- hand data. Group-work is the most likely situation. Fine! “Field” can be in the school-grounds, but vastly preferable to offer alternative location. Same as GCSE.

A Model of good fieldwork experience - ‘burger Bun’? Pre fieldwork preparation - staff and students Post fieldwork experience Virtual fieldwork to familiarise (video / pictures) Use of maps to locate Asking relevant questions: how, why, when etc Relating classroom experience to fieldwork content Linking fieldwork to other ELC topics Write-up of work for the Fieldwork Study Fieldwork experience Making decisions, i.e. developing solutions

Using GIS There are a variety of options available – additional GIS support is available from the Edexcel website

Fieldwork assessment There are 5 assessment criteria, giving a total of 25 marks

Summary of assessment You are required to enter marks on the Record Sheet. Note the weighting of ‘Topic Tasks’

Summary of assessment A student working at Entry Level 3 is approaching the standard required for a GCSE Grade G. See specification pages You can now link your total marks (90)

In summary The new September 2012 specification remains broadly similar to the legacy specification in terms of content and structure. The ELC in Geography tries to encourage flexible learning and independent learning as well as delivery through a co- teaching approach. The qualification remains 100% teacher assessed (externally moderated). There is no terminal examination. Fieldwork remains important; there is a choice Additional support for the ELC: Geography Advisor and Geography Communities