1. New GCSE Exams 2009 The Geography Department wants to know what you think!

2. What? Why? The Government have decided that GCSE exams are to be changed from 2009 – this means that each of the exam boards has written new GCSE Geography courses. There are 9 new GCSEs in Geography for us to choose from – we want to know what you want!

3. Course structure In your groups, make some notes on your flipchart paper: –Do you want lots of small/short topics or do you prefer fewer longer, more in-depth topics? –Teacher-led work or independent work? –For coursework, would you like the teacher to choose the topic, or for each of you to do your own topics?

4. Exams In your groups, make some notes on your flipchart paper: –Modular – do a topic then do the exam (youd do one in the summer of Y10, January of Y11 and summer of Y11)? –Linear – do the whole course then do the exams at the end? –Number of exams: more short exams, or fewer but longer exams?

5. Controlled Assessment This is the new name for coursework. Youll do it in lesson time and it will be timed e.g. 6 hours to write up an investigation. Worth 25% of the GCSE. Based on fieldwork and research. One piece worth 25% OR Two smaller pieces (15% and 10% each)

6. Controlled Assessment In your groups, make some notes on your flipchart paper: –One big piece of work or two smaller pieces? –When would you want to do this – Y10 (start, middle, end) or Y11 (start, middle, end)? [If two smaller pieces then when for each one?]

7. The Courses Read through the outline of each GCSE course. They are all Geography, I need to know your thoughts on them. Be honest but helpful! Which options do you prefer? Why? Do you like the sound of the course, or not? Why?

8. New Groups Flipchart paper to the front please. Get yourselves into 2s or 3s – youll need a pen.

9. The Courses In your new groups, make some notes on your GCSE Geography course sheet: –Topic preferences? –Why? –General thoughts. –Like/dislike? Why? –Can you choose the top 3 courses?

10. Thank You All! Your opinions will make our decision easier and your ideas will definitely be taken into consideration – you will ultimately decide which GCSE we choose! Your views count!