Geography

CPD Presentation

Introducing Unit Specifications and Unit Assessment Support Packs

National 3, 4and 5

Unit Assessment

Assessments can be designed to provide evidence across more than one Unit or Outcome – combined assessments

Flexible and open Evidence Requirements in Units Greater range of techniques and methodologies for

assessment – encouraged through Unit Assessment Support Packs (UASP)

More opportunities to gather evidence as part of learning and teaching

National 3 National 4 National 5

Geography: Physical Environments

Geography: Physical Environments

Geography: Physical Environments

Geography: Human Environments

Geography: Human Environments

Geography: Human Environments

Geography: Global Issues

Geography: Global Issues

Geography: Global Issues

Added Value Unit: Assignment

Unit Structure

Key points: Geography Units standards remain consistent

feature the best approaches of the current Geography Units

have a hierarchical Unit structure that provides progression from National 3 to Higher 

has an Added Value Unit Assessment at National 4 that allows for personalisation and choice in the assignment

contexts of physical and human environments

Global Issues Unit provides the opportunity for interactions to be studied

National 4 Physical Environments Unit Specification

Outcome 1

The learner will: Use a limited range of mapping skills in geographical contexts in the United Kingdom by:

1.1 Interpreting geographical information from two sources in

order to identify and describe any patterns which are found

1.2 Presenting geographical information in at least two straightforward ways

National 4 Physical Environments Unit Specification

Outcome 2

The learner will: Draw on straightforward knowledge and understanding of physical environments and weather in the United Kingdom by:

2.1 Describing key features of one landscape type in the United Kingdom 2.2 Giving brief explanations of the formation of one landscape type in the United Kingdom

National 4 Physical Environments Unit Specification

Outcome 2

2.3 Giving descriptions and brief explanations of factors affecting weather conditions and weather systems in the United Kingdom 2.4 Giving brief descriptions of the possible land uses and brief explanations of a landscape management issue for one landscape type in the United Kingdom

National 4 Physical Environments Unit SpecificationEvidence Requirements for this Unit:

Assessors should use their professional judgement, subject knowledge and experience, and understanding of their learners, to determine the most appropriate ways to generate evidence and the conditions and contexts in which they are used. Evidence should be gathered in combination with other Outcomes where possible, either from this Unit or in combination with the Outcomes from the Human Environment or Global Issues Unit. Evidence may also be gathered for individual Outcomes where appropriate.

National 4 Physical Environments Unit Specification

For this Unit learners will be required to provide evidence of by:

Naming 2 sources for information gatheredPresenting geographical Information in two waysWritten responses e.g. answering questions, making posters, leaflets etc.

Oral responses e.g. talks, electronic presentations etc.

Unit Assessment Support Pack (UASP)- purpose

UASP can help you to:

Assess your candidates

Create your own assessments

UASPs – Key Features

Valid from August 2013

Designed to encourage professional judgement

Provide broad-based tasks – allow assessors to choose appropriate context and forms of evidence

Show a range of approaches to generating assessment evidence

Give information on the type of evidence which could be gathered and how this is to be judged against Outcomes and Assessment Standards

Geography UASPs

Package 1

Unit by Unit approach N3, N4 and N5 – discrete assessment tasks for each Unit

Package 2

Combined across 2 Units with ‘top up’ tasks to cover all Outcomes in 3rd Unit

Package 3 Portfolio Approach

National 4 Added Value Unit – Geography Assignment Must use SQA UASP for 2014 and 2015

Experience challenge and application

Focus on research and use of information relating to a geographical topic or issue

Assesses skills in choosing a topic, collecting information, organising information, using factual knowledge, interpreting maps or fieldwork evidence and presenting findings using a candidate chosen method

Internally assessed as pass/fail by centres

The Verification Process

Principles

Centres have used an assessment approach which is in line with national standards

Centres have made judgements of their candidates’ work which are in line with national standards

Centres have quality assured the decisions reached through internal verification

Materials Required

All relevant SQA forms and paperwork

The Assessment Task eg question paper, leaflet instructions

The judging evidence materials eg marking scheme, judging evidence table

Candidate evidence

Verification Outcomes

Accepted

Accepted*

Not Accepted

Verification Stages

Approach to Assessment

i. Assessment Task

ii. Judging Evidence Materials

Assessment Judgements

Verification Feedback

Outcome Record

External Verification Report

Verification Follow Up

Accepted

No further action required by Centre

Accepted*

Centre to implement recommendations as appropriate

Not Accepted

Centre to resubmit materials to SQA after Required Actions have been addressed before the date of qualification.

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