Qualifications Update:Philosophy

Qualifications Update:Philosophy

Developing qualifications Developing qualifications - drivers- drivers• Progression – provide progression from Es & Os and maximise

continuity between levels • More open and flexible requirements – fewer, broader

outcomes, more focus on skills• Assessment which supports learning - open evidence

requirements – choice of assessment approaches – opportunities for combined assessment

• Refreshed and relevant contexts for learning, providing challenge and enjoyment

• Personalisation and Choice – in content/contexts for Units - Added Value Unit at National 4 – coursework assessment at National 5

• Robust and credible – current high standards in qualifications will be maintained

• develops critical thinking and reasoning skills throughout the Course

• provides progression from National 5 to Higher though deeper understanding of more complex concepts and the ability to apply this to more complex issues

• combines the best aspects of current Intermediate 2 and new approaches designed to offer personalisation and choice for learners

• uses a question paper and an assignment for Course assessment at National 5

Key pointsKey points

Unit StructureUnit Structure

National 5

Arguments in Action

Knowledge and Doubt

Moral Philosophy

New Quality Assurance arrangementsNew Quality Assurance arrangements• Will cover new National 1 to National 5 from 2013/14

• New arrangements will promote shared understanding of national standards through a collaborative and partnership approach

• New ‘Nominee’ role - provides a pool of nationally trained experts

• Intense verification in the first 3 years, then an intelligence led approach will be adopted

• Verification in Nov/Dec, Feb and Apr/May - allows for early identification of issues and support/guidance to be given

Assessment Support Schedule 2012/13 Assessment Support Schedule 2012/13

Oct 12 to Mar 13 N3 to N5 Unit Assessment Support (Package 1)

Feb 13 N3 to N5 Unit Assessment Support (Package 2)

Feb 13 N5 Specimen Question Paper

Apr 13 N3 to N5 Unit Assessment Support (Package 3)

Apr 13 N5 Specimen Coursework

Apr 13 N4 Added Value Assessment Support

PhilosophyUnit Assessment

National 5

PhilosophyUnit Assessment

National 5

Unit assessmentUnit assessment• Flexible and open Assessment Standards and Evidence

Requirements in Units

• Greater range of techniques and methodologies for assessment – encouraged through Unit assessment support packages

• Assessments can be designed to provide evidence across more than one outcome or Unit – combined assessments

• More opportunities to gather naturally occurring evidence – assessment as part of learning and teaching

Unit Assessment Support Unit Assessment Support packages – purpose packages – purpose

Assessment support packages will be provided which you can use to:

•Assess your candidates

•Adapt for your own assessment programmes

•Help you develop your own assessments

Unit Assessment Support Unit Assessment Support packages – key featurespackages – key features

• Valid from August 2013

• Designed to encourage professional judgement

• Provide broad-based tasks – allow assessors to choose appropriate context and forms of evidence

• Show range of approaches to generating assessment evidence

• Give information on the type of evidence which could be gathered and how this is to be judged against Assessment Standards

Unit assessment support Unit assessment support packages - approachespackages - approaches

Package 1 • Unit by Unit approach – discrete assessment

tasks for each UnitPackage 2 • Portfolio approach – naturally occurring

evidencePackage 3 • Combined approach – groups Outcomes and

Assessment Standards from different Units

Assessment Package 1Assessment Package 1

• Unit by Unit approach• Different ways to assess:1.Candidate workbook 2.Producing an information poster3.Responding to questions• Advice on how to make assessment judgements• Suggested recording documentation• Appendix with task which can be given to candidates

PhilosophyAdded Value Assessments:

- National 5 Course Assessment

PhilosophyAdded Value Assessments:

- National 5 Course Assessment

Adding Value – National 4, Adding Value – National 4, National 5National 5

• Each Course at National 5 includes assessment of Added Value

• For National 5, the added value is in the Course Assessment - graded A - D (as at present)

Added ValueAdded Value• Makes the Course more than the sum of its parts• Builds on current Course assessment and Group

Award approaches • Defined as breadth, challenge and/or application as

outlined in Building the Curriculum 5• May involve accumulation, assimilation, integration

and/or application of skills, knowledge and understanding

• Uses 7 defined assessment methods (there usually two of these)

Controlled AssessmentControlled Assessment• Where the assessment method is not a question paper,

SQA has introduced the concept of controlled assessment to ensure fairness and reliability

• 3 stages of assessment: Setting, Conducting, Marking the assessment

• Each will have a defined level of control: SQA-led activity, Shared responsibility between SQA and centres, Centre-led

• Subject-specific decisions, but mostly SQA-led activity in initial years

National 5 – National 5 – Question Paper• 50 marks• 1 hour 30 minutes• all questions mandatory – no options• 3 or 4 questions – each 10 or 15 marks• questions divided into parts – each with between 1

and 6 marks• may use stimuli or scenarios• marking will draw on Intermediate 2 approach

National 5 – National 5 – Assignment• 30 marks• set and marked by SQA• conducted under supervision in centres• responding to a question or claim:1. describing the question/claim2. analysing and evaluating arguments or reasons3. give an informed personal view on question/claim

We never make free choices. In what ways do philosophers respond to this claim?