Application Skills

http://education.helixated.com An Open Source Education Project Application Skills Skills For Answering Application Question

http://education.helixated.com An Open Source Education Project Introduction • What is the Application Question? (AQ) • Usually the last comprehension question • About 7 – 12 marks (high weightage – can be up to 1/3 the total marks) • Most demanding in requirements, most time-consuming and therefore the most challenging. • Expected to employ higher order thinking skills (e.g. evaluation, synthesis, comparative analysis, problem solving, etc.) • Must be able to present strong arguments! • Take the AQ skills very seriously!

http://education.helixated.com An Open Source Education Project Application Skills • Is it similar to the Summary Question? • NO! You will surely fail the AQ (get 1 sympathy mark) if you merely summarise the author’s points. • You must make the transition from summary skills to application skills • Differences between AQ and Summary

http://education.helixated.com An Open Source Education Project Application Skills • Types of Question • About 7 types of AQ (Can be a combination) • 1. Critique Issues and Formulate Arguments • 2. Generate New Ideas and Alternatives • 3. Compare and contrast • 4. Solve Problem • 5. Predict Consequences/ Possibilities • 6. Draw own conclusions and make decisions • 7. Anticipate Responses Exercise to Identify Question Type

http://education.helixated.com An Open Source Education Project Application Assessment • How is the AQ graded? • Good news … you won’t get zero if you write something sensible! • The examiner uses the REEC Criteria • R = Requirement • E = Explanation (Ex) • E = Evaluation (Ev) • C = Coherence ABC Bands (Depends on mark range) • Refer to Marking the Application Question Handout (Read it very carefully!)

http://education.helixated.com An Open Source Education Project Application Assessment • Requirement– Meet what the examiner expects of you; your response must fit the given question. Text reference is mandatory! Reference to your own society (Singapore) must be made if the question specifies that! • Explanation (Ex) – Must be able to explainterms and concepts and develop own ideas to justify the evaluation. Must be able to present suitable elaboration and support. • Evaluation (Ev) – Able to offer personal opinions which are relevant and insightful; Able to make decisions, judgements, suggestions; able to develop ideas to a logical conclusion (dependent on the Question Type); Coherence – able to organise your ideas/ arguments well and show logical connection from paragraph to paragraph (good paragraphing and use of conjunctions)

http://education.helixated.com An Open Source Education Project Application Skills • The GREAT Strategy • Effective and useful; simple to recall during the exams • Adopt a systematic approach to answering the AQ G – Grasp the Question Type and Requirement R – Refer to your marginal annotations of the passage E – Extract the relevant ideas and express your personal stand with conviction A – Arrange your points logically T – Time yourself and work as fast as you can

http://education.helixated.com An Open Source Education Project The GREAT Strategy • G – Grasp the Question Type and Requirement • Analyse the question carefully – Circle/ underline/ highlight key words! • What is the Question Type? • What is the specific task(s) required by the QT? • Do I understand the key task words and implications of the question? • How many parts does the question have?

http://education.helixated.com An Open Source Education Project The GREAT Strategy R – Refer to your marginal annotations of the passage As you read the passage: • - Make notes. / Pick out main points. • - Question the author’s assumptions • Challenge the author’s stand. Be critical! • - Write your personal responses. Be independent! Think!– How are my marginal annotations relevant to the question?

http://education.helixated.com An Open Source Education Project The GREAT Strategy • E – Extract the relevant ideas and express your personal stand with conviction Have I thought through and written down all relevant points? • Do I have a clear thesis statement? • Have I put across my views strongly and persuasively? • Signal your personal evaluation clearly with “I think/ believe/ feel that …”!

http://education.helixated.com An Open Source Education Project The GREAT Strategy A – Arrange your points logically Plan your AQ essay before you write! Do a rough outline. Refer to the handout: Checklist – The AQ Framework

http://education.helixated.com An Open Source Education Project The GREAT Strategy • T – Time yourself and work as fast as you can • Depending on your ability level, you should leave about 20 to 25 minutes for the AQ • Advice: Though AQ is the last question, do not leave thinking about it to the last! • You should read the Application Question from the start and let your subconscious mind work on it as you plough through the rest of the compre paper.

http://education.helixated.com An Open Source Education Project Practice 1 (Short Application Essay) • Critical Thinking Skills • Refer to handout 4 & Practise marking up three short texts. • Analyse Arguments • Identify and Evaluate Assumptions • Clarify and Interpret Ideas • Judge Acceptability and Credibility of Claims • Evaluate Arguments Written Work: Should the SAT be abolished?

http://education.helixated.com An Open Source Education Project Practice 2 (Full Application Essay) Topic: Discipline – Spare the Rod and Spoil the Child? The Hard Vs Soft Approach Task 1 Read both passages carefully once through and highlight the main points. Annotate your texts. Passage A – The Hard Approach: New French Law that tolerates no nonsense Passage B – The Soft Approach: Britain Told to Ban Use of Force to Discipline Kids

http://education.helixated.com An Open Source Education Project Practice 2 • Analyse & Evaluate Decisions/Recommendations 1. What makes this decision necessary? • 2. What is recommended & on what grounds? • 3. What are the options/alternatives? Are they realistic or unusual? • 4. What are the likely consequences of the various options? • 5. How important/serious are these consequences for all those affected? • 6. Compare all the alternatives: is the recommended course the best one?

http://education.helixated.com An Open Source Education Project Practice 3(Comprehension 1) • Apply the The GREAT Strategy • Comprehension on Education • Application Question: Requirements 1. Identifythe shortcomings of education in both passages. 2. Assessthe validity of their views. 3. Text Reference. Make a reference to your own educational experience (i.e. in your own society) Plan your AQ essay before you write! Do a rough outline. Refer to the handout: Checklist – The AQ Framework

http://education.helixated.com An Open Source Education Project Practice 4 (Comprehension 2) • Apply the The GREAT Strategy • Comprehension on Animal Rights • Application Question: Requirements • Question Type (Compare & Contrast) • Decidewhich of the two writer’s arguments is more convincing. • Justify(Give sound reasons to support your decision.) • Link the authors’ points to your society (e.g. Singapore) - specify how your country can adopt a balanced approach to the issue.

http://education.helixated.com An Open Source Education Project Compare & Contrast • If the question is on "compare & contrast", this is how you analyze & evaluate the passage: • 1. How are they similar? • 2. How are they different? • 3. What similarities and differences seem significant? • 4. Do you see any patterns in the significant similarities and differences? • 5. What conclusion is suggested by the significant similarities and differences?

Application Skills