Biology

CPD Presentation

Aims• To supplement previously published information about the

internal assessment of Biology Units at National 3, 4 and 5• To raise awareness of Common Questions and Key Messages

Reports• To highlight updates to Unit Assessment Support Packs

(UASPs), thus providing further clarification about the assessment of Assessment Standards (AS) 2.1 & 2.4

• To outline the external verification process• Using exemplification, to help develop a shared understanding

of national standards for Outcome 1 reports, A S 2.2/2.3 reports, and N4 Added Value reports

Outline of event• Registration • Welcome and outline for event• Overview of Internal Assessment in Biology• Common Questions• Key messages from verification• UASPs: how to use the SQA UASPs, updating of UASPs• Understanding the verification process and associated

documentation• Exemplification from verification• Plenary Session

Unit Structure

Biology Units - Key points• Standards remain the same• Have a hierarchical Unit structure that provide progression

from National 3 to National 5, then articulate with Higher Biology and Higher Human Biology

• All Units from National 3 to AHigher in all Sciences have (almost) same Outcomes and Assessment Standards (apart from N4 Added Value Unit); differentiation is through the evidence requirements

• Added value assessment increases personalisation and choice in the Biology assignment at National 4

Outcome 1: National 5 The learner will:Apply skills of scientific inquiry and draw on knowledge and understanding of the key areas of this Unit to carry out an experiment/practical investigation by:

1.1 Planning an experiment/practical investigation1.2 Following procedures safely1.3 Making and recording observations/measurements accurately1.4 Presenting results in an appropriate format1.5 Drawing valid conclusions1.6 Evaluating experimental procedures

Outcome 2: National 5

The learner will:Draw on knowledge and understanding of the key areas of this Unit and apply scientific skills by:

2.1 Making accurate statements2.2 Describing an application2.3 Describing a biological issue in terms of the effect on

the environment / society2.4 Solving problems

Common questions

• Located on CfE “landing page” for Biology- http://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/45723.html

• Updated monthly

Key Messages

• Biology Key Messages report can be found on the subject level pages.

Biology - SQA

• Generic Key MessagesNew NQ Quality Assurance Models - SQA - SQA

Assessment Standards 2.1 & 2.4

• UASPs now update and available on SQA secure website

• Candidates should be given credit for each correct response

• In order to decide whether candidates have achieved 50% in AS 2.1, the success criterion is 50% of the number of correct responses, not 50% of the crosses on the assessment grid

Transfer of evidence across Units• “Since the Outcomes and Assessment Standards are

the same for all Units of the Course, evidence for Outcome 1 and Assessment Standards 2.2, 2.3 and 2.4 for one Unit in this Course can be used as evidence of the achievement of Outcome 1 and Assessment Standards 2.2, 2.3 and 2.4 in the other Units of this Course. The Units differ only by context.”

Judging evidence

• Standards remain the same• Assessment judgements information is contained in UASPs• Internal quality assurance essential if all candidates are to be

assessed fairly and consistently to national standards ->

“every centre is responsible for operating an effective and documented internal quality assurance system”

Internal quality assurance within centres

• Guidance located at: http://www.sqa.org.uk/files_ccc/InternalVerificationGuideforSQAcentres.pdf

Internal verification policies and practice should include:1.Checking assessment instruments to ensure validity2.Standardisation exercises3.Sampling assessment decisions4.Maintaining assessment and verification records

External verificationCentres selected for external verification send internally assessed material to SQA for external verification•12 candidates•4 candidates per level at 3 different levels (if possible)•Same Unit at all 3 levels•Must also include N4 Added Value Unit, if there is sufficient evidence for this Unit•To exemplify a range of candidate performance and assessment judgements

External Verification continued

• 2013/14– 3 rounds of verification (Nov/ Dec, Feb, May)– The third round, focused on verifying the Added Value Unit

• 2014/15: – Round 1: understanding standards events with Nominees– Round 2: focus on Unit assessment – Round 3: focus on Added Value Unit

External Verification continuedExternal verification considers the centre’s• Approaches to assessment• Assessment judgements• (and therefore effectiveness of internal verification policies)

Intended to be supportive and developmental• Highlight good practice• Provide detailed and constructive advice

External verification outcomes:• Accepted / Accepted with recommendations / Not Accepted• Not Accepted -> hold will be placed on certification until all verification issues have been resolved

2.2 Describing an application2.3 Describing a biological issue in terms of the effect

on the environment/society

•In this assessment activity you should produce a short report, of 50–100 words, which covers both Assessment Standards 2.2 and 2.3. There is no penalty for going outwith this word count.

You should:•with guidance from your assessor, select an application of biology to investigate from a key area of this Unit•describe the use of the application and consider its effect on the environment/society•produce a short report

Evidence requirementsAssessment Standard 2.2 •the application is stated•the application is related to a key area of the course•appropriate biology knowledge is used to describe the application

Assessment Standard 2.3•the biological issue is stated•the issue is related to a key area of the course•appropriate biology knowledge is used to describe its effect on society / environment

National 4 Added Value Unit