In-Service Teacher Training Assessment in IGCSE Biology 0610 Session 1: Introduction to the Syllabus

Introductions Background Aim of training Welcome

Session 1 looks at: Syllabus aims The structure of the syllabus Assessment Objectives The development of different skills The difference between formative and summative assessment

Aims of the syllabus (1): Relevance and application Relevance of Biology to everyday life Biology and medicine The social and ecological aspects of Biology Developments in gene technology

Aims of the syllabus (2): Practical skills Efficient and safe practice Enquiry, initiative and inventiveness

Aims of the syllabus (3): Communication and objectivity Communication skills are important in everyday life Objectivity is an important part of science Science has some limitations and does not always provide answers

Structure of the syllabus (1): Overall structure of curriculum content There are four sections covering classification, physiology, reproduction and ecology Each section is divided into subsections The Core curriculum is applicable to all students The Extended curriculum builds on the core material and the relevant sections are placed next to each other

Structure of the syllabus (2): Overview of curriculum content (1) Characteristics and classification of living organisms Cell structure and organisation Movement in and out of cells Enzymes Carbohydrates, fats and proteins as nutrients and how to test for them Photosynthesis and leaf structure

Structure of the syllabus (3): Overview of curriculum content (2) Human diet and digestion Transport in animals and plants Respiration and gaseous exchange Excretion Coordination in plants and animals Homeostasis Drugs and health

Structure of the syllabus (4): Overview of curriculum content (3) Asexual and sexual reproduction Reproduction in flowering plants and in humans Inheritance Variation and selection Genetic engineering Food chains and nutrient cycles Populations Human influences on ecosytems

Structure of the syllabus (5): Core and Supplement What extra knowledge is required for the Supplement? What extra skills are required for the Supplement? Do certain topics appear in more than one of the syllabus sections?

Assessment Objectives (1): General Assessment Objectives Assessment Objective Weighting Knowledge with understanding 50% Handling information and 30% solving problems Experimental skills and 20% investigations

Assessment Objectives (2): The scheme of assessment Paper Weighting Discriminating Core or grades Extension Paper 1 30% C-G C (multiple choice) Paper 2 (theory) 50% C-G C OR Paper 3 50% A-C C + E (theory) Paper 4 or 5 or 6 20% * C (practical)

Assessment Objectives (3): Paper 2 or Paper 3? Paper 2 is based on the Core curriculum (80 marks)  Paper 2 targets C-G candidates Paper 3 is based on the Extended curriculum (60 marks) plus 20 marks targeted at the Core curriculum  Paper 3 targets A-C candidates Which paper should be chosen?

Assessment Objectives (4): Practical assessment Paper 4 Coursework Paper 5 Practical Test Paper 6 Alternative to Practical

Assessment Objectives (5): The importance of practical work Candidates need to be able to: Understand how to carry out practical procedures Observe specimens carefully and record observations as drawings Record numerical readings and construct tables of data

Assessment Objectives (6): The importance of practical work Candidates need to be able to: Display data in a suitable form Draw appropriate conclusions from results Identify sources of error Suggest suitable techniques and apparatus for an investigation

Assessment Objectives (6): Coursework (Paper 4) There are four strands: C1 Using and organising techniques, apparatus and materials C2 Observing, measuring and recording C3 Handling experimental observations and data C4 Planning investigations

Assessment Objectives (7): The role of teachers in practical work Provide students with opportunities to develop their practical skills Produce and assist with subjects for investigations Sources of information

Assessment Objectives (8): The role of teachers in practical work Advise students in the practicality of techniques they have chosen Suggest length of time and general treatment of the problem Exercise continuing supervision of the assessment

Formative assessment (1): Formative and summative assessment Summative assessment involves terminal testing and interim testing There is no individual feedback on summative assessments that involve public examinations Formative assessment involves assessing student progress on a regular basis There is always feedback to the student in formative assessment The feedback from formative assessments helps students improve their performance

Formative assessment (2): The nature of formative assessment Formative assessment involves an interaction between the student and teacher The teacher is able to assess progress, for example by feedback on tests

Formative assessment (3): The nature of formative assessment The student is helped to assess their own progress True formative assessment encourages improvement in performance

Formative assessment (3): Ways of assessing progress Marking Feedback on tests Answers given to verbal questions Target setting Student self evaluation

Closing comments