Niloufar@Wijetunge

1. Niloufar@Wijetunge.com Endorsed A-level Physics practicals

2. AS and A level specifications at a glance • 12 requiredpracticals at A-level quoted in the specification • 6 are the same as the required AS practicals • basic apparatus and techniques required are common to all AOs • some questions in written papers will be based on the required practicals. • these and other practicals form the basis of the Practical Endorsement. • specification supported with a ‘Practical Handbook’ for teaching, and also guidance for students to document their practicals.

3. Practicals “at the heart of physics specification provides many opportunities to use practical experiences to link theory to reality, and to equip students with essential practical skills” AQA, 2015

6. 5 Competencies – Common to all boards • Follows written procedures • Applies investigative approaches and methods when using instruments and equipment • Safely uses a range of practical equipment and materials • Makes and records observations • Researches, references and reports

7. The 12 skills (in brief)

8. Example of groups of practical activities that cover assessed skills

9. Scheme of work approaches could be.... - Introductory lessons covering all practical techniques; - Practical sessions each week, some to learn skills, some assessed; - Skills covered as required before assessed practical; - Indirectly assessed skills still need practice (written paper); Running sessions: Practicalities with large groups Keeping records: you; student.

10. Endorsements – All boards • Competencies (Common Practical Assessment Criteria) – assessed by the teacher for endorsement • Pass or not reported • Consistency - details of administration will be common to all boards • All boards are aware that record keeping and moderation needs to be a workable process, that it is not onerous on schools • Awarding bodies made recommendations to Ofqual and boards ran trials. • http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/cross-board-practical-trial-autumn-2014 • http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/Science-practicals/working-with-schools-to-shape-the-future-of-practicals

11. Useful resources (consider using other exam board’s resources if they are better!) AQA very detailed guidance OCR practical skills handbook (current version is very useful; 2015 accessible through interchange) Edexcel specification is detailed; detailed resources for each practical Additional information online e.g. IoP Teaching Advanced Physics or Nuffield Foundation practical physics

12. Administration: Some practical skills assessed directly in practicals; some skills assessed indirectly in written paper ‘Required’ practicals and/or practicals unrelated to the specification may be examined in written paper Most skills assessed > once, so pupils who miss assessed practicals may not need to redo them. Lost practical books e.g. collect practical books in; write up experiments separately and collect in.

13. Exam board guidance Pupils must cover all skills, and must do at least 12 assessed practicals. Practical competency doesn’t affect final grade, but will be stated on A-level certificate as pass/fail General feedback : recommended practicals are not compulsory but are guidance of suitable opportunities I advise checking with the Board before using completely different practicals Check recommended practicals do cover all skills e.g. map the skills against your practicals