BBC Bitesize Commissioning Brief – GCSE Biology (CCEA ...downloads.bbc.co.uk/commissioning/site/bitesize-brief-gcse-biology... · teachers stressing the need for more interactive

BBC Bitesize Commissioning Brief – GCSE Biology (CCEA Revised 2017)

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Commissioning Brief GCSE Biology (CCEA Revised 2017)

Overview CCEA GCSE Biology encourages students to develop their curiosity about the living world and provides insight into and experience of how science works. It also inspires, motivates and challenges students, enabling them to engage with biology in their everyday lives. They learn about cells, living processes, biodiversity, body systems, genetics, microorganisms and health. The current CCEA Specification is changing. Students beginning GCSE Biology in September 2017 will be learning from the revised specification. Bitesize offers content for GCSE Biology but it is an expanded programme of study. It currently caters for AQA, OCR, Edexcel, WJEC and CCEA boards and contains information which is irrelevant for CCEA students and, in other areas, lacks necessary detail. To ensure the new resource is relevant, all written content will need to be restructured and adapted for CCEA students. We also require the production of new resources to enhance the current offering as well as entirely new study guides to cover some topics which are not currently served.


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Summary of deliverables We require the following content for GCSE Biology: Text

o Written copy for 31 revise chapters, 3-5 pages in length (200-300 words per page). o Some of the existing Bitesize Biology copy can be adapted and re-used.

Interactive quizzes o 31 test chapters with 6-10 questions in each test.

Video o Approximately 40 minutes of original video or animation. o Possibility of using some content from the BBC archive. o Subtitles, which should be supplied in XML format.

Infographics o A minimum of 60 infographics across the commission.

Bitesize app flashcards o A condensed version of the original content specifically for the Bitesize app.

Indicative budget: £75,000 Bitesize Brand Values and Tone

Quality learning resources with high production values, tailored to the needs of the audience. Clear, concise delivery of the key educational points in bite-sized chunks. Accessible to every level of academic ability and learning style. Factually correct, high-quality and curriculum-relevant. Simple, straightforward language. Funny, quirky or irreverent tone where appropriate. Innovative educational media format.

Audience The target audience for this commission is 14-16 year old pupils studying CCEA GCSE Biology. From our initial audience research for this subject, we learned that: Over 82% of pupils surveyed used Bitesize Biology – the highest usage for any GCSE subject. Pupils enjoy studying bodily processes like the nervous, respiratory and circulatory systems. Biodiversity and genetics were described as dry, abstract and theoretical, making them

difficult topics to teach and understand. Pupils need a lot of help with the practical skills required to carry out experiments. Examples of real life applications, like interviews with people living with health issues as a

direct result of lifestyle choices, were identified as resources that would help pupils better understand the subject.

Video content was identified as the most popular revision tool, with both pupils and teachers stressing the need for more interactive ways to learn.


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The Subject The content should be specific to the CCEA GCSE Biology specification. There are three main topics: Unit 1: Cells, Living Processes & Biodiversity Unit 2: Body systems, Genetics, Microorganisms & Health Unit 3: Practical skills

*Existing Bitesize content has been reviewed and restructured. See Appendix Item A: Suggested Content Breakdown.

Content for Delivery

Bitesize Components

Text Working with writers that are skilled and knowledgeable about the CCEA GCSE Biology

specification, you will produce text for 31 revise chapters. Text from existing Bitesize Biology revise chapters needs to be adapted to best serve CCEA

students, so not all copy will be written from scratch. Writers you wish to contract must be approved by the BBC production team. Revise chapters will hit key learning points and deliver learning outcomes in each of the

study guides. This is a revision tool and therefore must focus on what students need to know in

preparation for an exam or assessment. All study guides must contain a revise chapter.

*For this commission we require an average of 3-5 pages of text (approx. 300 words per page) per revise chapter. Study guides may be longer or shorter as appropriate.

Infographics These sit within the revise chapters. Infographics are core to Bitesize and are used to further explain and creatively lay out the

structures, theories or other complex topics students must understand. *For this commission we require a minimum of 60 infographics, after content has been written. iGFX must be supplied in the following formats; Original: Adobe Illustrator file with all layers Desktop: PNG, 624px wide x up to 624px high, 300dpi Tablet: PNG, 464px wide x up to 464px high, 300dpi Mobile: PNG, 304px wide x up to 304px high, 300dpi App: PNG, three sizes specific to the Bitesize app (to be confirmed in contract)

*All Graphics must adhere to the Bitesize Style Guide, which is available to download from the BBC Bitesize commissioning site.


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Video/Animation Age-appropriate originated video or animation, delivering clear learning outcomes. Video can be presenter-led, narrated or graphically signposted. BBC Digital and Learning will be responsible for clearing and paying for any music sourced

for production by the contracted company. Any copyrighted material, including clips, images and commercial music, must be signposted

to the BBC production team at the earliest stage to ensure rights clearance. It is at the BBC’s discretion to agree the use of any copyrighted material. Clearance confirmation will be given based on value for money. It may be possible to include archive clips if they are beneficial to learning, subject to

clearance. Archive could come from a range of genres and we can advise what is available.

*For this commission we require approximately 40 minutes of original video or animation. Each video should be around 2 minutes in duration and should contextualise or give an overview of the topic.

*For more detail, see Appendix Item B: Video spec for delivery.

Test Chapters All Study Guides must contain a test chapter. These are multiple choice questions testing students on what they’ve learned in revise &

video chapters. Audio clips and stills can be used within the test chapters. Test chapters usually include 6 – 10 questions depending on topic content.

BBC Bitesize App On the Bitesize App, CCEA GCSE Biology will exist as a series of flashcards. These include text

summaries, glossary terms, audio and video content, infographics and quizzes. Flashcards are based on study guide content and include a summary card, multiple choice

quiz cards and relevant glossaries. They are a subset of the main content suitable for exam revision in bullet points and

summarise the key points in each study guide. Flashcards have a maximum word count of 450 characters. *For more detail, see Appendix Item C: Bitesize App Flashcard Content Creation.


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Sample Outlines How Study Guide components might work together within a Topic area: BIOLOGY > BIODIVERSITY > NITROGEN CYCLE, MINERALS AND EUTROPHICATION LEARNING OUTCOME What role do microorganisms play in the nitrogen cycle? How do plants absorb minerals? REVISE CHAPTER Infographics A series of infographics showing how plants absorb minerals from soil through active uptake. They should illustrate each of the minerals and their uses. Text Concise, easy to understand copy to support and expand upon each of the learning outcomes, using bullet point lists where possible. VIDEO CHAPTER A short, funny animation breaking down each step of the nitrogen cycle. Students should be able to follow the cycle from fixation through to decomposition. TEST CHAPTER A multiple-choice quiz that uses stills and text to pose questions based on the revise chapter. APP CONTENT A summary of each of the key points from the revise chapter in condensed form. BIOLOGY > HEALTH, DISEASE AND MICROORGANISMS > NON-COMMUNICABLE DISEASES LEARNING OUTCOME What are the causes of non-communicable diseases? REVISE CHAPTER Infographic Series of infographics breaking down the cause and effect of a blockage in a blood vessel, including heart attack and stroke. Text Concise, easy to understand copy to support and expand upon each of the learning outcomes, using bullet point lists where possible. VIDEO CHAPTER A video looking in more detail at lifestyle factors which affect human health and the interaction of factors which can cause non-communicable diseases. This could include people who have been diagnosed talking about the impact their lifestyle choices have had on their health. TEST CHAPTER A multiple-choice quiz that uses stills and text to pose questions based on the revise chapter. APP CONTENT A summary of each of the key points from the revise chapter in condensed form.


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What we’re looking for…

Creative Proposal Companies are invited to submit a creative proposal detailing their approach to the Chromosomes, genes and DNA study guide within Unit 2: Body Systems, Genetics, Microorganisms and Health. This has been identified as an area of difficulty by both students and teachers. We are looking for evidence that you can turn this dry subject matter into something engaging and useful, with an appropriate example(s). Your proposal should include:

Content/Editorial Plan This proposal will include a content and editorial plan which sets out clearly how you will use each Bitesize component to deliver the key learning outcomes as listed in the content grid in Appendix: Item A, and how your approach incorporates the Bitesize brand values. Please use the sample guides listed above to inform the structure of your content plan. It would be beneficial to include images or illustrations to give an idea of the look and feel of any video or animation content proposed.

Production schedule Please provide a top-level schedule of major milestones/project management approach.

Note: A project management system will be required (i.e. Trello, Slack, Basecamp or other tool) to manage the production of the content and to allow the BBC to track the project’s progress and record feedback.

Indicative budget (£75,000)

Within your indicative budget, you will need to make allowance for the following:

Writers Two writers are best, one to write an initial draft and a second to review and rewrite where necessary. You are free to suggest writers, but they will need to have approval from the BBC production team before production starts. Adviser An education consultant is essential to advise and offer guidance on the content during each stage of the production. Your education consultant will need to have approval from the BBC production team before production starts. If appropriate, one of your writers could also fulfil this role. User Testing There should be at least two user-testing sessions during the course of the production. These should include working with at least two different schools that are teaching CCEA GCSE Biology.


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Working with the BBC

There will be a minimum of 4 face-to-face meetings during production. In addition, we require a weekly content update. The 4 face-to-face meetings will be with the production team in Belfast – so your travel expenses should be considered when budgeting. Project Initiation Meeting – This first meeting will be a chance to meet the production team in Belfast. We will discuss the editorial scope of the project, confirm the timeline for delivery and hear content plans and ideas.

Meeting #2 – This meeting will take place at the mid-point of the pre-production process and will focus on proposed video content (scripts, storyboards, talent, style and tone), iGFX samples (approach and style) and use of text to deliver learning outcomes.

Checks on text style and tone Production schedule/milestones Formal Input from the Education Consultant and user testing

Meeting #3 – This meeting will be scheduled for the mid-point of the production process and will assess content produced to date and next steps including: Production schedule/milestones Formal feedback from the Education Consultant and user testing

Meeting #4 – This final meeting will be scheduled around the end of the production process to focus on how the content fits together within the Bitesize framework. We’ll look at learner journeys and progression through the content to determine if it is delivering on these key learning outcomes: Production schedule/milestones Formal feedback from the Education Consultant and user testing

Company and project team profile We want to hear from companies who are passionate about learning and enthusiastic about creating content for one of the BBC’s premier online brands. Audience awareness will be key. Do you know this audience and their needs? Have you produced content for them before? Can you produce content that will resonate with them? Please include details on the skills and experience of the key members of your project team. We would like to see evidence of your capacity to deliver this content.


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Links to relevant portfolio examples

Please send links to content you have produced which you think are relevant to this commission.

Indicative Budget £75,000 Please provide a budget breakdown to show how you intend to cost the project. Payment schedule to be agreed upon award of contract. Typical payment might be:

40% on signature of contract 30% divided upon completion of defined production milestones 30% upon final delivery

Working together

Who is responsible for what? You will be responsible for: Project management and production of deliverables to agreed deadline and budget. Chairing regular production meetings and communicating project plans and status.

We will be responsible for: Sharing project documentation. Collaboration throughout the production, including feedback. Enabling access to any relevant BBC archive. Sign-off at milestones on all content, and on final delivery – within an agreed timeframe. Post-production paperwork, limited to WebasC form.

We will be jointly responsible for: Ensuring the learning outcomes are met. Ensuring that content is best-fit for the Bitesize audience. Quality assurance of content.

The BBC Learning team Emma Dunseith - Executive Producer Peter Matassa - Producer Stuart Portis - Assistant Producer Laura Haughey - Researcher


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Schedule/project management All Bitesize productions follow an iterative development process and we will feed back as

soon as possible on all editorial decisions. Final delivery and sign off for the project is 24th November 2017.

This project is highly dependent on specific delivery dates that will be defined in the contract. As such we would like you to give particular attention to clause 9 in our standard terms which states the following: If you fail or are due to fail to deliver a Deliverable (or any part thereof) for any reason not directly and solely attributable to the BBC, the BBC shall (without prejudice to any other rights or remedies available to the BBC under this Agreement or at law) be entitled to terminate this Agreement Should this situation arise and the BBC is forced to terminate, the BBC would only be liable to you for anything delivered prior to termination. For this reason we would ask that you give timeframes and delivery the highest priority.

The pitching process Shortlisted companies will be invited to Belfast to pitch their proposals. An allowance of £250 towards travel costs to Belfast is available if you are based outside

Northern Ireland. Learning experience is not a prerequisite, but a thorough understanding of the needs of the

Bitesize audience and clear approach to addressing those needs is expected. Deadline for submissions, pitch deliverables and selection requirements are outlined below:

Commissioning Schedule

Commissioning brief published 2 June 2017 Deadline for creative proposal submission 22 June 2017 Deadline for notification of shortlisted proposals 27 June 2017 Pitch meetings (Belfast) 6 July 2017 Commission decision 14 July 2017 Contract signed 18 July 2017 Project initiation meeting 18 July 2017 Full delivery of commission 24 November 2017


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Proposal Deliverable List Company overview, portfolio and project team Project overview Content/editorial plan for the Chromosomes, genes and DNA study guide Production schedule and project management approach Budget breakdown

Selection The BBC will use the following standard criteria to evaluate the pitches submitted:

Quality of the idea proposed Suitability for Bitesize audience Prior experience of company Ability to meet editorial requirements Core staff experience Project management / production plan Pricing / value for money Presentation of response

Next Steps All proposals should be submitted via email to [email protected] by 22nd June 2017. Please use Bitesize Proposal: GCSE BIOLOGY as the subject line.

This is an open brief published on the BBC Learning Commissioning website. Please note that this document is for information purposes only and does not form part of a contractual agreement with the BBC. This is a stand-alone new media commission and the BBC will require all rights in the content, worldwide and on all platforms. The commission will be contracted using the BBC’s New Media Rights Framework 2 agreement. Further information on the BBC New Media Frameworks can be found here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/commissioning/technology-online/how-we-work/new-mediarights-framework.shtml

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/commissioning/technology-online/how-we-work/new-mediarights-framework.shtml

http://www.bbc.co.uk/commissioning/technology-online/how-we-work/new-mediarights-framework.shtml


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APPENDIX

Item A: Suggested Content Breakdown Topic Study guides Content

UNIT 1 CELLS

Microscopy, size and magnification

Cells and specialisation

Diffusion

Microscopy (PRACTICAL – make a temporary slide and use a light microscope to examine and identify the structures of a typical plant & animal cell)

Size and magnification Animal Cells Plant Cells Bacterial Cells Stem Cells Specialisation

Process of diffusion and investigate the

effect of surface area on the rate of diffusion

LIVING PROCESSES

Photosynthesis and

plants

Nutrition and Food Tests

Leaf Structure Investigating photosynthesis

(PRACTICAL – investigate need for light and chlorophyll in photosynthesis by testing a leaf for starch)

Equation for photosynthesis Limiting Factors Compensation point

Reagents & colour changes Investigate food samples using food

tests Biological molecules Food & energy (PRACTICAL –

investigate the energy content of food by burning food samples)

Enzymes and Digestion Actions of enzymes

How temperature, pH, enzyme concentration and inhibitors affect the action of enzymes (PRACTICAL – effect of temperature on the action of an enzyme)

The Digestive System


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Respiratory system,

breathing and respiration

The respiratory system Respiratory surfaces Lung model Uses of energy released Equation for respiration Aerobic and anaerobic respiration PRACTICAL – (investigate factors

affecting the respiration of yeast)

Nervous System

Hormones

Central nervous system The eye Neurones and synapses Voluntary and reflex actions

Homeostasis Hormones Diabetes Excretory system Osmoregulation Plant Hormones

BIODIVERSITY

Fieldwork and

competition

Ecological relationships and energy flow

Carbon Cycle and

Decomposition Global warming, Human

activity and biodiversity

Nitrogen cycle, minerals

and eutrophication

Fieldwork Competition

Role of the Sun as energy source Food chains and food webs Energy flow Pyramids of numbers and biomass

Carbon cycle Decomposition

Global warming Human activity and biodiversity

Nitrogen cycle Minerals Eutrophication


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Topic

Study Guide Content

UNIT 2 BODY SYSTEMS

Osmosis, and plant

transport

Osmosis, plasmolysis and turgidity (PRACTICAL – investigate the process of osmosis by measuring change in length or mass of plant tissue or model cells using Visking tubing)

The potometer (PRACTICAL – investigate the factors affecting the rate of water uptake by a plant)

Transpiration Uses of water

Circulatory System

Blood components Cell lysis Blood vessels Effects of exercise The heart

Reproduction, fertility and contraception

Sperm formation and pregnancy Sex hormones Menstrual cycle Infertility Contraception

GENETICS

Chromosomes, genes

and DNA

Cell Division Genetic diagrams and

terminology

Chromosomes Genes DNA structure

Cell division Mitosis Meiosis

Dominant and recessive alleles Genotype, phenotype, gamete and

offspring ratios, percentages and probabilities

Homozygous and heterozygous genotypes

Punnett squares


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X and Y chromosomes

and genetic screening

How sex is determined in humans Importance of genetic conditions Genetic screening

Genetic Engineering

Demonstrate knowledge and

understanding of genetic engineering as a process that modifies the genome of an organism to introduce desirable characteristics

Variation and natural

selection types of variation

Natural selection Selective breeding

HEALTH, DISEASE AND MICROORGANISMS

Communicable

diseases

Aseptic techniques Defence mechanisms

Non-communicable

diseases

Definition of health as free from

communicable and non-communicable diseases

Costs to society of communicable and non-communicable diseases, including economic sot of NHS treatment

Types of communicable diseases

Aseptic techniques (PRACTICAL – investigate effect of

different chemicals or antibiotic discs on the growth of bacteria)

The body’s defence mechanism Plant defence mechanisms Development of medicines Antibiotics Antibiotic-Resistant bacteria Vaccinations

Non-communicable diseases –

inherited, lifestyle factors (poor diet, exercise, overexposure to the sun, misuse of drugs – alcohol, nicotine)

Interaction between conditions – eg. Obesity linked to Diabetes Type 2

Heart attacks and strokes Cancer


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Topic

Study Guide Content

UNIT 3 PRACTICAL SKILLS

Planning an investigation

Identify the independent, dependent and controlled variables in an investigation

Make a hypothesis or prediction and explain their reasoning

Plan a method to test their prediction Carry out a risk assessment on all

planned practical activities Select suitable equipment or apparatus

that provides accurate results Produce a results table with

appropriate headings and units to record a suitable extent and range of data

Draw a diagram of the apparatus used in an experiment

Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the steps that they must take to ensure the reliability of data collected

Carrying out an experiment

Demonstrate the practical skills needed to use apparatus correctly, skilfully and safely

Obtain and record accurate evidence and repeat the experiment when appropriate to ensure the reliability of the results

Use appropriate scales and axis labels when plotting a graph of experimental data

Analysing experimental data

Analyse, interpret and critically evaluate a range of experimental data

Plot data points accurately and draw the appropriate straight line or curve

Make deductions from given observations

Drawing conclusions from an experiment

Make reasoned judgements and draw, evidence-based conclusions

Discuss in detail the areas of an investigation that could affect the reliability of the data or evidence collected, including accounting for any anomalous results

Develop arguments and explanations, taking account of the limitations of the available evidence


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Item B: Video Spec for Delivery

VIDEO

Deliver on a hard drive (exFAT) two formats of each video (one compressed and one uncompressed).

Compressed:

Container format: .mp4 or .mov Maximum file size, 50GB Video Codec: H.264 / QuickTime

If your system gives you the option to choose between baseline, main and high profile for H.264 export, high is preferred.

Frame size: 1920 x 1080 Frames per second: 25 (progressive scan) Bit rate/ Quality: Constant/100%

Audio

Codec: AAC Channels: Stereo Bit rate: 320 kbps Sample rate: 48 KHz Sample depth: 16 bit

For online there is no set level – if it is consistent and you can hear the voice over the music mix and it is not too low or distorted, that’s fine.

Uncompressed:

Deliver an uncompressed version on separate channels. This can be the source files used within the editing system, with Video, Voice, Music, SFX and

Graphics on separate channels. Graphics must be rendered on separate channel for translation. Video Codec is AVC Intra Class 100. Premiere and FCP you can use the DPP AS-11 HD export

setting. If delivering animation, use the uncompressed Animation Codec. H.264 source footage from DSLRs is acceptable.

Please refer to this link for output https://www.digitalproductionpartnership.co.uk/what-we-do/technical-standards/programme-delivery-standards/

MUSIC

Commercial music should only be used in the videos if there is an editorial reason to do so and this needs to be agreed with the BBC prior to inclusion.

https://www.digitalproductionpartnership.co.uk/what-we-do/technical-standards/programme-delivery-standards/

https://www.digitalproductionpartnership.co.uk/what-we-do/technical-standards/programme-delivery-standards/


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SUBTITLES

To deliver an XML for subtitles for each video (English SDH) Using a form of XML called TTML EBU-TT-D (Time Text Markup Languages) Section 26 - http://bbc.github.io/subtitle-guidelines/

For file format please refer to this link http://bbc.github.io/subtitle-guidelines/ from section 23. There are other useful guides in this file but a basic style guide and example will be supplied later.

DOCUMENTATION

The following post production documentation must be completed and returned as complete within seven days of the delivery date:

Metadata for each video written by a teacher or education consultant. 2 x post production transcripts for each piece of video – one with timecode and one without

timecode.

http://bbc.github.io/subtitle-guidelines/

http://bbc.github.io/subtitle-guidelines/


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Item C: Bitesize App Flashcard Content Creation

OUTLINE OF WORK

All content for the app should be based on study guide content. For each subject, the app will include a deck of flashcards suitable for GCSE students’ exam revision.

Each deck of flash cards will include:

Summary cards outlining the main points of the study guide Multiple choice quiz cards, including feedback Relevant glossary cards

SUMMARY CARDS

Each card is a list of bullet points (min 3, max 5) which summarises the key points/information provided in the study guides on BBC Bitesize. The maximum word count per card is 450 characters (including spaces).

Each deck of cards must contain at least one summary card. You can use more summary cards, separating topics on different cards. The maximum number of summary cards is five.

EXAMPLE

Here are two examples of concise information from Biology and English literature summary cards on the Bitesize app.


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QUIZZES

There are five quiz questions per flashcard deck. These questions should all be multiple choice with 3 possible answers that relate to the topic you have written about.

Questions from the study guide can be used but there should be two original questions (reuse up to three from the study guide).

Provide one piece of meaningful feedback (which offers further explanation) for the CORRECT answer. This should be one sentence, which further explains the answer and should be useful for students who get the answer wrong.

GLOSSARY CARDS

There are a minimum of two glossary terms per deck and no more than five.

Example

Glossary term Definition vitamins Organic substances, which are

essential in small amounts to regulate the metabolism and maintain the immune system.

Documents

BBC Bitesize Commissioning Brief – GCSE Biology (CCEA ...downloads.bbc.co.uk/commissioning/site/bitesize-brief-gcse-biology... · teachers stressing the need for more interactive