1. A Teacher’s Guide to
Entry Level Geography

2. Entry Level Geography
Geography is one of a number of ‘Entry Level Certificates’ offered by CCEA which are designed to:
Provide a first step on the National Qualifications Framework
Be inclusive and accessible
Provide for young people, students and learners of all ages
Prepare learners for transition towards an independent life
Provide flexible courses to meet individual needs
Ensure appropriate assessment arrangements that are reliable and robust

3. Specification Structure
The units to be studied are as follows:
People and Where They Live
Changing Employment Opportunities and Development
The Physical World and Its Challenges
The Sustainable Development of Tourism
Challenges for Society and Environment

4. Fieldwork Investigation
Course Structure
External Assessment
Coursework
Assessment Component
Folio 1
Folio 2
Oral Test
Fieldwork Investigation
Research Topic
Weighting
20%
Specification Unit
Two units to be selected. Each folio based on one of Units 1, 2 or 3
Unit 4
*Unit 3
Fieldwork based on one of Units 1-3
Unit 5
* The Unit selected for the Fieldwork Investigation must be different from the two Units selected for the Folios.

5. Administration
As soon as it is confirmed that you will be delivering the CCEA entry Level Geography specification, you should register by:
Completing the Preliminary entry forms (see your Examinations Officer)
Alternatively contact the Assessment Team
Assessment Team
CCEA
Clarendon Dock
29 Clarendon Road
Belfast
BT1 3BG
Joan Jennings tel:
This in important as it ensures relevant documentation relating to the course is sent to you.

6. Administration
Having registered you can then decide on the design of the course:
2 folio items
Each folio based on one of units 1, 2 or 3.
1 fieldwork investigation
Based on one of units 1 – 3:
Note: must be different from the units selected for the folios
1 research topic
Unit 5 Challenges for Society and Environment
Oral Test
An understanding of the Key Ideas of Unit 4 The Sustainable Development of Tourism will be assessed by an Oral Test. This will be produced by CCEA.

7. Administration
If you are a new centre taking Entry Level Geography for the first time or an existing centre changing the design of your course:
Complete forms A, B and C (available on pages in the specification)
Send to the Assessment Team at CCEA with copies of all relevant documentation:
Worksheets
Mark scheme
Please ensure that the submission is in line with the current specification

8. Administration Existing Centre using the same design as previous cycle
Copy the previous submission, amend the date and submit forms A, B and C (pages in the specification)
Please note: teachers should ensure that each design is not used for more than three cycles before being re-designed, amended or updated.

9. Administration
There is no need to plan the full two year course at the start; the following provides a guideline to teachers showing when outlines might be submitted for approval.
Unit
Date to be sent to CCEA
Folio 1
Autumn Term
Folio 2
Spring Term
Fieldwork Investigation
Second year of course
Research Topic

10. Designing Folio Tasks
For detailed guidance please see pages 24 – 26 in the specification
A folio must contain three pieces of work (tasks)
Each task should be an exercise completed in the classroom under timed, supervised conditions
In total the folio should take 3-4 hours to complete

11. Designing Folio Tasks
In order to ensure breadth of coverage of the specification, the two folios together must address different:
Places, e.g. local and a contrasting location
Types of data, e.g. photographical, numerical
Skills, e.g. cartographical, graphical, diagrammatic
Issues, e.g. environmental

12. Designing the Fieldwork Investigation
The investigation must be designed to test one of Units 1-3
The study should be based on the candidate’s home area
The students may work together as a group following a design set out by the teacher but recording, drawing graphs, making conclusions must be completed by the individual student under supervision
The data collection component should take no more that half a day

13. Designing the Fieldwork Investigation
The investigation should be short and focused, i.e. a narrow question based on one Detailed Learning Outcome
The teacher should set clear guidelines for the candidates to set up and carry through the investigation design
A manageable problem should be defined
The study should be designed so as to answer a question
Data must be collected
Data must be analysed and presented (as diagrams and maps
Conclusions must be reached which are related to the original question

14. The Research Topic
The Research Topic tests Unit 5: Challenges for Society and Environment
Choice should be made from one of the five Key Ideas:
Human Activity has an impact upon the atmosphere and the environment.
There are sustainable approaches to energy use and the development of renewable energy resources
There is a need to provide adequate food supplies & clean drinking water for an increasing world population
Conservation versus development
Ecotourism poses challenges for society and environment.

15. The Research Topic
It is important to set clear guidelines for the candidates to set up and carry through the task
Presentation could take a range of formats
Video oral presentation
Newspaper report
Posters
Storyboard
PowerPoint presentation
Use of ICT in research and presentation is highly recommended
The research topic should be short and focused and based on secondary data
The marking criteria relate to quality

16. The Research Topic
A Tracking Sheet is being introduced on a pilot basis
Available to download online
To be completed by the candidate and attached to the research topic
Intended to help teachers allocate marks for the first assessment criteria
Research of material relevant to the enquiry and knowledge/understanding of relevant concepts, ideas and facts
Does not replace the Candidate Record Sheet

17. Carrying out the Oral Test
The Oral Test can provide some students, who may have difficulty with written work, with an opportunity to demonstrate qualities, skills and abilities possibly not revealed in the written form
The Oral Test will be produced by CCEA but will be administrated by the class teacher
The Oral Test will be moderated using audio cassettes

18. Carrying Out the Oral Test
The Assessment Pack contains:
Teacher’s Notes
Resource Folder
Questions
Mark Scheme and Assessment Sheet
The assessment may be held at the centre’s convenience between mid-January and mid-March
Candidates will be able to study the resource materials for one week preceding the assessment
There is no prescribed time limit for Oral Test; however, it should take around 5 – 10 minutes to complete

19. Marking the work
Assessment Criteria and Mark Schemes are given in the specification
Folios – pages 25-26
Fieldwork Investigation – pages 30-31
Research Topic – pages 32-33
Oral Test – pages 28-29
N.B. Mark Scheme and Assessment Sheet will accompany pack from CCEA
Please annotate the work to show evidence for the marks awarded
Complete Candidate Record Sheets and Class Record Sheet
Remember - NO HALF MARKS!

20. Number of candidates entered Sample sent for moderation
Postal Submission of Coursework: Instructions to Teachers will be forwarded to centres
Select appropriate sample (see table)
Ensure the work included in the sample represents:
Each teaching group
Full range of ability
Include a copy of the Mark Scheme if relevant
Number of candidates entered
Sample sent for moderation
Up to 5 candidates
All candidates
6-15 candidates
5 candidates
16-30 candidates
8 candidates
Over 30 candidates
10 candidates

21. Moderation The details of the sample are: For each selected candidate:
folios for two of the core units
fieldwork investigation
research topic
Taped answers to oral questions for all candidates
Note: no more than two candidates per side on a cassette tape; please remember to label the cassette
The class record sheet completed for all candidates

22. Available Support
The following material may be down loaded from
Entry Level Geography Specification
Support Material (issued September 2005) (also available in hard copy from Distribution)
Chief Examiner’s report
Exemplar folios: a number of exemplar folio tasks have been produced and are available for you to use or amended to suit the needs of your candidates – see next slide for details

23. Exemplar Folio Tasks Unit 1: People and Where They Live
Distribution and Density of Population in Northern Ireland
Living in a Shanty Town
Shopping Patterns
Unit 2: Changing Employment Opportunities and Development
Changes in the Linen Industry
Aid Poster
Jobs and Training Leaflet
Unit 3: The Changing World and Its Challenges
Newspaper Report: A Volcanic Eruption
Making a Weather Forecast

24. Available Support
Copies of past Oral Tests are also available upon request
Annual agreement trial – usually held in October
Guidance on all units
Exemplar materials
Consultative moderators will provide guidance and support in relation to your submissions for approval
Centre visits can be arranged by contacting CCEA directly.