Understanding Standards: An Overview of Course Assessment Geography National 5 An Overview of Course Assessment RGB colours for text Purple = R204 G153 B209 & Dark Blue =R0 G51 B102

What this Presentation Covers To provide teachers and lecturers with a detailed overview of revised National 5 course assessment for session 2017 – 18. the overall structure of the revised course assessment what is unchanged and what is changed a detailed overview of each component general guidance on preparing candidates for assessment e.g. hints and tips, what is and is not required each

Overall Structure of the revised course assessment Question paper 80 marks Physical Environments 30 marks Human Environments 30 marks Global Issues 20 marks Assignment 20 marks

An overview of what is unchanged The content of the course remains the same! The assignment remains the same!

Mandatory Skills and Knowledge and Understanding The three areas of study remain the same: Physical Environments Human Environments Global Issues

Physical Environments Course content weather landscape types (glaciation and coasts OR limestone and rivers) candidates have a choice of question on landscape type: they must answer all other questions in the question paper

Human Environments Course content In the context of developed and developing countries: Population distribution and population change indicators of development urban geography rural geography candidates must answer all questions

Global Issues Course content Candidates will study two of the following global issues: climate change natural regions (impact of human activity on the physical environment)pact environmental hazards trade and globalisation tourism health candidates must answer two from these six options

Geographical Skills mapping skills related to Ordnance Survey maps extracting, interpreting and presenting numerical and graphical information

An overview of what is changed Question paper will sample a wider range of the course the number of marks will increase from 60 marks to 80 worth 80% of the overall marks for the course duration has been extended to 2 hours and 20 minutes

Ordnance Survey mapping skills grid references (4/6 figure) identifying and locating physical and human features and patterns measuring distance using scale interpreting relief and contour patterns using maps in association with photographs, field sketches, cross sections/transects

Preparing candidates for the question paper (Component 1) learning and teaching of the course content is unchanged the question paper is longer – 80 marks – 2 hours and 20 minutes there is more scope to assess both content and skills Ordnance Survey questions may be more varied and will include patterns on the usual sampling basis

Assignment – what is unchanged The assignment has not changed and so the work carried out and produced by the candidates remains the same. The conditions for the production of evidence stage have not changed but have been further clarified for teachers and lecturers.

Assignment – what is unchanged Research skills including field work skills Gathering: choosing, with minimum support, an appropriate geographical topic or issue collecting information from a limited range of sources of information Processing: processing the information gathered, using geographical skills/techniques Interpreting: drawing on knowledge and understanding to explain and analyse key features of the topic or issue reaching a well-supported conclusion, supported by evidence

Geography National 5 assignment Assignment Marks Geography National 5 assignment 20 marks – 20% of the marks for the course The researching stage is designed to be capable of completion over a notional period of 8 hours. The production of evidence stage must be completed in 1 hour and 1 sitting.

Assignment stages — Researching Candidates have an open choice of topic or issue. Candidates research the topic/issue and organise and process their findings to address it, using the specified resources (Processed Information) collected during their research to support them in the production of evidence. The researching stage is conducted under some supervision and control.

Assignment Stages — Researching Teachers and lecturers must ensure that the work is the candidates own by, for example; interim progress meetings with candidates questioning candidate’s record of activity/progress teacher/lecturer observation Group work is acceptable but there must be clear evidence that each candidate has met the evidence requirements.

Assignment Stages — Production of evidence The production of evidence is conducted under a high degree of supervision and should be carried out: independently by the candidate within 1 hour in 1 sitting using only the two single sided A4 or one single-sided A3 Processed Information sheet/s in time to meet the SQA submission date when the candidate is ready with no access to the internet or any other files

Assignment Stages — Production of Evidence During the period of assessment, candidates must: be in direct sight of the teacher/lecturer not communicate with each other have access only to the Processed Information not receive any assistance from the teacher/lecturer

Assignment — Reasonable Assistance Researching Stage directing candidates to the instructions for candidates clarifying instructions/requirements of the task advising candidates on the choice of issue/topic advising about possible sources of information arranging visits, including fieldwork, to gather evidence interim progress checks

Assignment — Reasonable Assistance Production of evidence stage advising candidates of the nature and volume of specified resources (Processed Information) to support the production of evidence

Assignment — Reasonable Assistance At any stage, reasonable assistance does not include: providing the topic/issue directing candidates to specific resources providing model answers providing detailed feedback on drafts, including marking

Assignment — Evidence to be gathered for SQA processed information (two single sided a4 or one single-sided a3 sheet/s) candidate evidence produced under a high degree of supervision

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