Reviewing the Reviewing the new A level new A level

specificationsspecificationsBob Digby

Community Geographer,

Geographical Association

Key changes – Revisions to A levels for the first time since 2000 – More than just new specifications – an expression of

the subject for the next few years– Time scale: first teaching from 2008, first AS/A2

awards in 2009/2010 – Compliance with QCA subject criteria e.g. ‘stretch

and challenge’ and a new A* award.– One specification allowed per Board; so 4 available in

England and Wales instead of the previous 7. – 4 modules not 6; can be taken any time or as a linear

qualification. – The death of coursework.

Questions – Will change actually reduce the burden of

assessment? Or will the Boards shoe-horn 6 modules’ content into 4?

– Will the removal of coursework impact upon the number of candidates in Geography?

– What happens to fieldwork in schools? Can the exam boards preserve fieldwork as an integral part of Geography?

– We now have a generation of exam-wise 16-18 year-olds – but are they better geographers?

Has Geography had a facelift in the new specifications?

Eleanor Rawling’s lecture at the 2005 GA conference highlighted ten concerns• Forces of change & public concerns about e.g. globalisation, global

warming• Spatial awareness of e.g. the ‘new’ Europe• Scale & scale linkage – inter-connectedness • Environmental Interaction – footprints and management• Technology – opportunities for GIS• Greater curriculum flexibility, choice & freedom needed• Special contribution to global concepts e.g. sustainability• Geographical enquiry – active questioning approach, less didactic• Significant changes in university geography (cultural, ethnographic,

place….)• ‘14-19 awarding bodies have tended to standardise content…fear that

innovation will lose customers anxious to play safe & maintain high grades’

How should the subject be updated?

• Simon Oakes research into the School-HEI ‘Gap’ (2006) highlights several issues including:

• Human geography in school ‘out of step’

• Theory levels are poor (compare Sociology)

• Learning tends to be ‘case-study based’, not theoretical - focused on ‘facts, not thinking’

• Little critical questioning of concepts at A level- e.g. of sustainability

The new specificationsThe new specifications

• Content of AS versus A2• Assessment type at AS and A2• Styles and Flexibility of assessment• Assessment load• Where’s the fieldwork?• Guidance for teachers?• How fresh or up-to-date?• How much choice?

What kind of content at AS?What kind of content at AS?Criteria AQA Edexcel OCR WJEC AS content and weighting

Unit 1 35% Physical and Human Geography Two elements Physical (Rivers plus

one of Cold Environments, Coastal Environments or Hot deserts and margins)

Human (Global population change plus one of Food Supply Issues, Energy Supply Issues or Health Issues

Unit 2 15% Applied Geography Assesses skills (which must include fieldwork) taught in Unit One

Unit 1 30% Global Challenges Two elements World at Risk (Hazards

and Global Warming) Going Global

(Population & Migration)

Unit 2 20% Geographical Investigations Four elements; select one phys and one human Physical (Extreme

Weather or Crowded Coasts)

Human (Unequal Spaces & Re-branding Places)

Unit 1 25% Managing Physical Environments Choice is not explicit except through the assessment requirements Either River environments or Coastal environments AND either Cold environments or Hot arid and semi-arid

environments

Unit 2 25% Managing Change in Human Environments Either Managing urban

change or Managing rural change AND either The energy issue or The growth of tourism

Unit 1 25% Changing Physical Environments Two themes: Investigating climate

change Investigating tectonic

and hydrological change

Unit 2 25% Changing Human Environments Two themes: Investigating

population change Investigating

settlement change in MEDCs

What kind of assessment at AS?What kind of assessment at AS?

Criteria AQA Edexcel OCR WJEC Style of assessment at AS

Total 3 hours Unit 1: 2 hours Progression from short to extended written responses Unit 2: 1 hour Structured skills questions, with fieldwork question

Total 2.5 hours Unit 1: 1.5 hours Resource-based questions. Do all of Section A and B Unit 2: 1 hour Do 2 from 4 essay-style questions (with parts a, b and c) on themes taught in Unit 2

Total 3 hours Units 1 and 2: 1.5 hours each Section A Two

structured data response questions

Section B one extended writing

Total 3 hours Units 1 and 2: 1.5 hours each Structured data

response questions on each theme

Question on research and out-of-classroom work, including fieldwork in relation to each theme.

What kind of content at A2? Unit 3What kind of content at A2? Unit 3Criteria AQA Edexcel OCR WJEC A2 content and weighting Unit 3

Unit 3 30% Contemporary Geographical Issues Focuses on a range of themes, for research Select three; one physical and one human minimum Physical Plate tectonics Weather and Climate

and hazards Challenges facing

ecosystems Human World Cities Development and

Globalisation Contemporary conflict

and challenge

Unit 3 30% Contested Planet. Focus on use and management of resources, and issues arising: Energy Security Water conflicts Biodiversity under

threat Superpower

geographies Bridging the

development gap The technological fix?

Unit 3 30% Global Issues Three chosen from six: Environmental issues: Earth hazards Ecosystems and

environments under threat

Climatic hazards Economic issues: Population and

resources Globalisation Development and

inequalities

Unit 3 30% Contemporary Themes & Research in Geography

Section A Contemporary Themes

Choose one from: Extreme environments Landforms and their

management Climatic hazards

and one from Development Globalisation Emerging Asia Š India or

China

Section B: Research Enquiry Board sets one investigative theme a year for each of these options: Crime Deprivation Disease Environmental Psychology Leisure and Recreation Microclimates Pollution Retailing Rivers Ecosystems

What kind of content at A2? Unit 4What kind of content at A2? Unit 4

Criteria AQA Edexcel OCR WJEC A2 content and weighting Unit 4

Unit 4 20% Either Unit 4A Geography Fieldwork Investigation A 1.5 hour examination paper based on candidates’ own individual fieldwork investigation. The exam focuses on evaluation. Or Unit 4B Geographical Issue Evaluation A pre-release booklet available 2 months before the examination.

Unit 4 20% Geographical Research Teachers or candidates select a specialism in one area: Tectonic activity and

hazards Cold Environments –

landscapes and change

Life on the margins: the food supply problem

The world of cultural diversity

Pollution and human health at risk

Consuming the rural landscape – leisure and tourism

Unit 4 20% Geographical Skill Identifying a suitable

geographical question or hypothesis for investigation

Developing a plan and strategy for conducting the investigation

Collecting and recording appropriate data

Presenting the data collected in appropriate forms

Analysing and interpreting the data

Unit 4 20% Sustainability Four themes Sustainable food

supply Sustainable water

supply Sustainable energy Sustainable Cities

What kind of assessment at A2?What kind of assessment at A2?Criteria AQA Edexcel OCR WJEC Style of assessment at A2

Total 4 hours Unit 3 2.5 hours A progression from short structured questions, to extended paragraphs, plus one essay Unit 4 1.5 hours Either Unit 4A a 1.5 hour exam evaluating candidates’ fieldwork investigation. Or Unit 4B a 1.5 hour exam on a pre-release issue analysis.

Total 4 hours Unit 3 2.5 hours. Includes pre-released synoptic resource material 3 weeks before exam. Candidates answer 2 extended written questions from Section A (Contested Planet) and all of B (Synoptic Investigation) Unit 4 1.5 hours. Candidates answer one essay on pre-released theme.

Total 3½ hours Unit 3 2 hours Section A: 3 structured questions requiring data response, and extended writing. Section B: 2 essays Unit 4 1.5 hours Section A: 2 questions to be done about different stages of their investigation. Section B: 1 piece of resource-based extended writing based on process of geographical investigation

Total 4 hours Unit 3 2.25 hours 2 essays, one from each optional theme studied one question based on the individual research enquiry from the findings of the pre-released topic area. Unit 4 1.75 hours Pre-released booklet covering combination of some or all of the 4 themes. Synoptic Section A; candidates draw on other studies from course.

Progression in assessment AS to A2?Progression in assessment AS to A2?Criteria AQA Edexcel OCR WJEC Styles of assessment

Units 1 & 2 Progression from short to extended responses, includes skills questions Unit 3 Progression structured answers to essay Unit 4 Analytical and / or evaluative extended writing depending on choice

Unit 1 Resource-based structured questions Unit 2 Essay Unit 3 Extended responses plus synoptic issue analysis Unit 4 Single Extended Essay

Unit 1 and 2 Progression from Section A (structured data response questions) to B (extended writing) Unit 3 Progression from structured answers to essays Unit 4 Single piece of extended writing

Units 1 & 2 Resource-based; progression from short to extended responses Unit 3 Two essays and one question based on the individual research enquiry Unit 4 Extended analytical writing

How is ‘stretch and challenge’ achieved?

Clear statement about use of open-ended questions, and higher order stems – analyse, evaluate etc. – plus use of extended writing

Clear statement about use of open-ended questions, and higher order stems – analyse, evaluate etc.

Use of extended writing

‘Improved synoptic assessment’

By general suggestions to teach beyond the concepts at AS.

General reference about differentiation. Use of extended writing in Unit 3. Final question of Unit 4

How much assessment? How flexible?How much assessment? How flexible?Criteria AQA Edexcel OCR WJEC Total examination time over 2 years

7 hours

6.5 hours

6.5 hours

7 hours

Timing of AS units

Unit 1 and Unit 2 available in both exam cycles

Unit 1 January and June Unit 2 June

Not specified, but implies that both available in January and June.

Unit 1 and Unit 2 available in both exam cycles

Timing of A2 units

Unit 3 and Unit 4 available in both exam cycles

Unit 3 Jan and June Unit 4 June only

Not specified, but implies that both available in January and June.

Unit 3 and Unit 4 available in both exam cycles

Pre-release materials?

Yes, if Unit 4B is selected (6-8 weeks ahead)

Yes, in each of units 3 and 4 (3 weeks ahead)

No Yes, Unit 4 (6 weeks ahead)

How is the synoptic element assessed?

Assessed through Units 3 and 4 – generic statement rather than specific references

As a part of Unit 3 – pre-released resource analysis

Assessed through Units 3 and 4 – generic statement rather than specific references

Assessed in Units 3 and 4; specific elements related to synopticity

Where’s the fieldwork or research? Where’s the fieldwork or research?

Criteria AQA Edexcel OCR WJEC How is fieldwork and investigative research approached?

Explicit requirement

for Unit 2 In Unit 2,

examination fieldwork forms basis of Q2

Explicit requirement

in specification Candidates

expected to use fieldwork in Unit 2 examination

Recognised as an element of teaching Units 1 and 2, but not prescribed or formally assessed

Explicit requirement in specification

Integrated into questions assessing Units 1 and 2, with one specific question focused on fieldwork

How is fieldwork and investigative research approached?

Fieldwork is an option for Unit 4

Investigative research in Unit 4. Fieldwork might assist depending upon theme chosen.

Dedicated Unit 4

Fieldwork may be essential for Unit 3 depending upon theme selected by Board.

Where assessed, can fieldwork or research be taken into the exam?

If Unit 4a chosen, yes

No

No

Not stated but assume not.

How much guidance is there for teachers? How much guidance is there for teachers?

Criteria AQA Edexcel OCR WJEC Specification Approach Š conceptual vs content, thematic or place

Generic approach Content lists to

provide guidance about what should be taught. These are usually presented as themes or components of the main units

Generic approach Key Questions to

focus the topic Key Ideas which

provide guidance Guidance for

teaching and learning to provide focus on theme, place and scale, and sometimes how it might be taught (e.g. student research)

Generic approach Questions to focus

the topic Key Ideas which

provide guidance Guidance for

teaching and learning to provide focus on theme, place and scale, and sometimes how it might be taught (e.g. student research)

Generic approach Key Questions to

focus the topic Content which

provides guidance for teaching and learning to provide focus on theme, place and scale

Illustrative examples of research to help focus teaching and learning

Suggested examples which provides guidance on place and/or scale or current issues

Links to other units, for curriculum mapping

Criteria AQA Edexcel OCR WJEC ‘New’ approaches / content / concepts; inclusion and importance of contemporary topics?

Concepts AS – Food and

energy supply, Health (though not new to this spec)

A2 – Globalisation,

Contemporary conflicts and challenges – very open choice

Concepts AS – globalisation,

climate change, re-branding places, unequal places and spaces

A2 – new

superpowers, energy security, water conflict, consumerism, technological fix.

Biodiversity, not

ecosystems Very up-to-date

exemplars used in Guidance

Concepts AS – energy

issues A2 – Environments

under threat, globalisation

Concepts AS – climate

change, urban process & change in MEDC, sustainability and flood risks etc

A2 – New

Superpowers; plus options e.g. Crime, Deprivation, Geography of Disease, Environmental Psychology

Unit 4 focus

explicitly on sustainability

How fresh or up-to-date are the new specs? How fresh or up-to-date are the new specs?

How much freedom of choice is there? How much freedom of choice is there?

Criteria AQA Edexcel OCR WJEC Options or compulsory?

Units 1 & 2 Core plus choice of 1 from 3 Unit 3 Choice of 3 from 6 Unit 4 Choice of style of assessment; freedom of choice if fieldwork chosen in Unit 4a

Units 1 and 3 Compulsory Unit 2 Choice of 2 from 4 Unit 4 Choice of 1 from 6

Unit 1 and 2 Choice of 2 from 4 in each unit Unit 3 Choice of 3 from 6 Unit 4 Freedom of choice of topic for fieldwork / investigation

Units 1, 2 and 4 Compulsory Unit 3 Choice in ¤A 2 from 6 Choice in ¤B made by WJEC

Final thoughts? Final thoughts? Criteria AQA Edexcel OCR WJEC Other remarks or features of note

An update from

the present specification

A lot of curriculum

choice; choice in every Unit.

Probably the

shortest specification and the simplest to follow.

An explicit attempt

to merge two specifications.

A significant

update from the present B specification, with integrated concepts and content from the A specification

Significant choice. Explicit use of

themes and concepts current within HEI.

Big on

sustainability. Very up-to-date

exemplars

An explicit attempt

to merge two specifications.

Offers choice in

every unit. Probably the most

traditional specification in appearance, but does not have to be taught in this way.

An update from

the present with a lot of contemporary concepts and issues.

More compulsory

content than others, but flexible Units at A2 reduce this and give the feeling of choice.

Big on

sustainability.