Qualifications Update: Higher Dance Qualifications Update: Higher Dance

Key Messages Provides progression from National 5 Dance Develops an increased depth and complexity of knowledge, understanding and skills Offers personalisation and choice Provides flexibility

Course Structure Two units: Dance: Technical Skills (Higher) Dance: Choreography (Higher) Internally assessed Externally verified by SQA Pass/Fail

Course Assessment Performance (2 Technical Solos), marked by SQA Visiting Assessor and centre Assessor (70 marks) Practical Activity (Choreography and Choreography Review) marked by SQA Visiting Assessor and centre Assessor (70 marks) Both performance and Practical Activity contribute to final grade

Use valid and reliable assessments -SQA-produced Unit Assessment Support Packs -Centre devised assessments that have been prior verified -Your own assessments – strongly advise you have these prior verified Marking of assessments -SQA packs are designed on a pass/fail basis -Use Judging Evidence Tables to make assessment judgments against Assessment Standards -Judging Evidence Tables have commentary on how to meet each Assessment Standard -A task/activity can meet most or all of the Unit Outcome and Assessment Standards -Indicate on candidate’s work that Unit Assessment Standards have been met Unit Assessment complementing learning and teaching -Unit Assessment is open and flexible -Assessment should allow you space to prepare for Added Value/Course Assessment Key messages Key messages from Verification (Round 1)

Assessment Support Schedule 2013/14 Sept 13 CfE Update Letter Oct 13 Unit Assessment Support (Package 1) Feb 14 Unit Assessment Support (Package 2) Feb 14 Higher Specimen Question Paper Mar 14 Coursework General Assessment Information Apr 14 Unit Assessment Support (Package 3) May 14 Update Mandatory Documents Jun 14 Update Unit Assessment Support

Dance Unit Assessment at Higher

Unit assessment - recap Flexible and open Assessment Standards and Evidence Requirements in Units Greater range of techniques and methodologies for assessment – encouraged Assessments can be designed to provide evidence across more than one outcome or Unit – combined assessments More opportunities to gather naturally occurring evidence – assessment as part of learning and teaching

Unit Assessment Support purpose As at National 5, Assessment Support will be provided which you can use to: Assess your candidates Adapt for your own assessment programmes Help you develop your own assessments

Unit Assessment Support at Higher – key features Valid from August 2014 Complements and supports learning and teaching Assess competence against Unit Outcomes and Assessment Standards Designed to encourage professional judgement Provide broad-based tasks – allow assessors to choose appropriate context and forms of evidence Show range of approaches to generating assessment evidence Give information on the type of evidence which could be gathered

Unit assessment support packages at Higher - approaches Package 1 Unit by Unit approach – discrete assessment tasks for each Unit Package 2 Portfolio approach – naturally occurring evidence Package 3 Combined approach – groups Outcomes and Assessment Standards from different Units

Assessment Support Package Technical Skills Study two selected dance styles: -compare technical skills and characteristics -explain influence of social and cultural factors Demonstrate technical skills in two contrasting dance styles Evaluate technical skills – self and other

Assessment Support Package Choreography Demonstrate knowledge of choreographic principles Analyse a professional piece of choreography: -use and impact of choreographic principles -use and impact of theatre arts Choreograph and evaluate a group dance

Dance Higher Course Assessment

Course Assessment at Higher Course Assessment at National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher assesses Added Value Courses at Higher are normally assessed by one or two Components Courses at Higher are graded A – D, as at present Controlled Assessment of setting, conducting and marking For Dance there are 2 Components – performance and practical activity

Higher – Performance 70 marks 2 technical solos (35 marks each) Tutor-choreographed Contrasting dance styles Each solo to last 1.5 – 2 minutes

Marking Technical Skills 20 marks: 5 Technical execution and use of turnout/parallel as appropriate to genre 5 Centring, balance, alignment and posture 5 Stamina, strength and flexibility 5Spatial awareness and accurate recreation of choreography

Marking Performance Skills 15 marks: 5Timing and musicality 5Quality and dynamics 5Self-expression, sense of performance, concentration and focus

Discussion Watch the solo provided for reference and, using the advice given for performance, discuss how you would devise an appropriate technical solo for your candidates.

Higher – Practical Activity 70 marks Completed over a period of time under some supervision and control 2 sections: choreography (35 marks), choreography review (35 marks)

Section 1: Choreography 2-3 minutes Minimum of 3 dancers (excluding self) 3 tasks – Planning: select a theme, carry out research, devise initial movement ideas – Development: create and finalise the choreography – Performance: present choreography for assessment

Marking Choreography 35 marks: Use of motif/movement to convey theme Use of choreographic structure Use of choreographic devices Use of space Use of music/sound Use of theatre arts

Section 2: Choreography Review Completed before choreography is presented for assessment Any suitable format 3 tasks: – Review planning – Review development – Reflect on skills

Marking Choreography Review 35 marks: Review planning: explain relationship(s) between motif, theme and research Review development: justify use of particular choices Reflect on skills as a choreographer

Discussion Discuss what advice or assistance you might give to your candidates regarding the organisation and management of their own choreographic process and review.