2. Practical work at A Level.
Changes in assessment.
CPAC & AT
What are they?
How do they impact on my planning and
teaching?
Monitoring visit.
Future work.
3. 1. To support and consolidate scientific concepts (knowledge and understanding).
This is done by applying and developing what is known and understood of abstract ideas and
models. Through practical work we are able to make sense of new information and observations,
and provide insights into the development of scientific thinking.
2. To develop investigative skills.
These transferable skills include:
a. devising and investigating testable questions
b. identifying and controlling variables
c. analysing, interpreting and evaluating data.
3. To build and master practical skills such as:
a. using specialist equipment to take measurements
b. handling and manipulating equipment with confidence and fluency
c. recognising hazards and planning how to minimise risk.
Source: AQA Biology Practical Handbook, 2015
5. Apparatus and techniques
These have been agreed by all exam boards, so all students will have experienced similar
practical work after following a science A-level course.
Examples:
Use of light microscope at high power and low power, including use of a graticule
Purify a solid product by recrystallization
Use laser or light source to investigate characteristics of light
12 required practical activities
These have been specified by each exam board. They cover the apparatus and techniques
for each subject – so teachers do not have to worry about whether they are all covered.
Examples:
Use of aseptic techniques to investigate the effect of antimicrobial substances on microbial
growth
Carry out simple test-tube reactions to identify cations and anions in aqueous solution
Determination of g by a free-fall method.
Source: AQA Biology Practical Handbook
6. 1. Assessment in exam papers (assessed
by exam board).
15% of written assessment at AS & A Level
will be focused on practical skills.
2. Practical endorsement (assessed by
centres)
Pass or Unclassified.
8. 1. Follows written procedures
2. Applies investigative approaches and methods
when using instruments and equipment
3. Safely uses a range of practical equipment and
materials
4. Makes and records observations
5. Researches, references and reports
We need to ensure that practicals are not seen as an ‘add-on’ to a course but an integral part of it. There are three key purposes to have in mind when planning practical work and also the assessment of practical skills.
The idea with the new style of practical assessment in A Level Science is not that a student gets it right first time, but that they develop their skills as the 2 year course progresses and by the end of the course they are proficient in the skills required to work in science.
There are two elements of practical work in the reformed A Levels. The first is a specified list of apparatus and techniques that pupils will be expected to know. This list has been agreed for each subject so is the same for all boards.
The second is a list of 12 required practicals. These may be different depending on the exam board chosen.
Pupils will be assessed on their knowledge of apparatus and equipment and the core practicals in exam papers. Their practical skills will also be assessed by teachers so that pupils can be given a pass or unclassified (wording not necessarily the exact wording that will be given) on the practical endorsement.
Using the principles outlined on the slide, we need to stress that these new arrangements are not to be feared but should be embraced. This is our opportunity to develop pupils’ practical skills at A Level and to ensure we are giving them the best preparation for a degree in Science.
These are the 5 criteria pupils will be judged against to achieve the practical endorsement. These are further subdivided.
We can use the pen portraits to ensure that we are clear on what constitutes a pass for each criteria, and obviously what does not.
Examples of pen portrait. Click on picture to be taken to AQA practical endorsement training website. Go through each criteria and watch videos and discuss points raised.
Discuss document that teachers could use when assessing CPACs. Click on picture takes to document in Dropbox. Discuss as a department the need to produce own versions of these documents.
An outline of the materials required for the monitor visit.
Examples shown by Catherine Witter during the ASE conference session. The sheets demonstrate how other schools have been highlighting with pupils the CPAC skills.
Lab books can take any form – can be folders for example. As long as all the practical work is together. It is okay to use writing frames for pupils work.
Examples of how pupils and teachers are tracking the development of proficiency in the CPAC skills.
There is no defined number of times that a pupil needs to complete each CPAC or have evidence of completion for each CPAC. There is also not a requirement to use the 12 core practicals to assess the CPACs.
The AQA tracker spreadsheet can be adapted and used by schools.