 |
| Technical Requirements | Frequently
Asked Questions |
|
Just
seeking information |
| Q. We’re thinking about doing the course, but we’re not really sure what it entails. What’s it all about? |
| A. The GCSE in Applied
Science is a ‘double award’ qualification: students are
assessed by Portfolio work and by examination. Two-thirds of the marks are allocated for Portfolio work. The examination is available at Foundation and Higher tier. Students have two opportunities to sit the exam – January and June. Sitting the Foundation tier means that it’s still possible to obtain a CC grade or higher. The Units are: Unit 1 – Developing scientific skills Unit 2 – Knowledge & understanding Unit 3 – Science in the workplace There is a much greater emphasis on ‘applying’ science – both in the development of practical skills, and in how people apply their knowledge and understanding of science in the workplace. The Beeby Education site is structured specifically to meet these requirements. |
back to top |
| Q. Does the Beeby Education site cover the awarding body we use? |
| A. The site has been
structured specifically to meet the requirements of all the
awarding bodies’ specifications and assessment criteria. John Beeby is the Chief Examiner for one of the awarding bodies, and has worked closely with colleagues from all of the others in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Using feedback from the 2002 cohort, Beeby Education has developed a dedicated resource to enthuse, engage and assist teachers, technicians and students alike. |
back to top |
| Q. Is there any information on the Beeby Education site to help us prepare for the course? |
| A. The site is specifically
structured to meet the specification for Units 1, 2 and 3. The Teacher/Technician
section includes a full, printable list of apparatus, linked to the
illustrated practicals, and the Review section has teacher guidance
to support each section of the site. An outline Scheme of Work is provided, together with a Teacher Guidance section to assist staff when incorporating the resources into lesson planning. More importantly, the subscription price includes a half-day INSET session, to enable you to decide how the staff allocated to the Applied GCSE can get the best from the site. |
back to top |
| Q. We want to ensure that students working towards Foundation and Higher level attainment are equally well catered for. What does the Beeby Education site offer in the way of differentiated materials? |
| A. The clear, concise
Unit 2 material is written at Foundation level, which makes the site
less daunting than most textbooks, and the Higher level information
is available on-screen in the form of pop-up boxes and additional
sequences. Practicals have been illustrated at Foundation, Mid and High level, where appropriate. Simulations and interactivities motivate students, bring the subject alive, and help compare results in the school lab with those in industry. And ready-to-print differentiated assignments are available for students to download. |
back to top |
| Q. There’s no problem in booking a regular session in an ICT suite, but we aren’t ‘online’ in all the labs. How can we use the Beeby Education resources for these lessons? |
| A. Illustrated step-by-step
Unit 1 Standard Procedures and Unit 3 Experiments are ready-to-print
– just choose the appropriate worksheet for your planned practical
lesson. There’s a full, printable list of apparatus and additional guidance for technicians, which also helps staff plan laboratory requirements well in advance. Plus the subscription licence permits you to download specifically selected content solely for the purpose of teaching in rooms that do not have an online facility. |
back to top |
| Q. We have some links with companies, but we’re not sure of the most appropriate way to ‘apply’ the science in this course. How will the Beeby Education site help us to do this? |
| A. The site is structured
to enable students to learn the required ‘theory’, then
back it up with ‘applied science’ in the form of: Standard Procedures Health & Safety information Experiments Case Studies People Profiles Carefully-selected industrial Case Studies and People Profiles give an insider view of real jobs and everyday activities, and a sense of purpose to the course content. In addition, the Beeby Education site is a dynamic resource, with topical updates tailored to help students meet specific assessment criteria for their Portfolios. |
back to top |
| Q. How does subscribing to the Beeby Education site compare with buying a class-set of textbooks? |
| A. For an average-sized
class, the first year’s subscription of £1250+VAT (£1468.75)
is less than the purchase price of a class-set of textbooks and a
teacher guide– and gives you access to a far broader range of
benefits. Plus the subscription renewal of £250+VAT (£293.75)
is even more cost effective, as you will have added another student
cohort, and will have access to an increasingly dynamic, evolving
resource. Beeby Education is a Curriculum Online accredited Retailer and Content Provider. This means that schools/colleges that are eligible for eLearning Credits (eLCs) can use them to purchase (or make a part payment towards) a subscription to the site. Illustrated step-by-step Unit 1 Standard Procedures and Unit 3 Experiments are ready-to-print, saving on staff preparation time. Simulations and interactivities motivate students, bring the subject alive, and help compare results in the school lab with those in industry. The range of Case Studies and People Profiles are regularly updated, and are designed to enthuse, engage and assist teachers and students alike. Additional questions based on the site content enable staff to test student progress at appropriate stages throughout the course. Differentiated Portfolio assignments, with assessment and tracking grids, help students to meet their chosen targets, and an image library of downloadable pictures saves time, and adds colour and interest to student work. Plus individual passwords allow access from any suitable link to the Internet, making the site ideal for self-study projects – freeing up teaching periods for lab or classroom tasks. Plus there’s INSET training and advice on student coursework to get you off to a flying start! |
back to top |
| Q. How can we find out more? |
A. Register
now for a free password to access sample material |
back to top |