Qualifications Update:Higher Dance

Key Messages• Provides progression from National 5 Dance• Develops an increased depth and

complexity of knowledge, understanding and skills

• Offers personalisation and choice • Provides flexibility

Course Structure

Two units:•Dance: Technical Skills (Higher)•Dance: Choreography (Higher)Internally assessedExternally verified by SQA Pass/Fail

Course Assessment• Performance (2 Technical Solos),

marked by SQA Visiting Assessor and centre Assessor (70 marks)• Practical Activity (Choreography and

Choreography Review) marked by SQA Visiting Assessor and centre Assessor (70 marks)

Both performance and Practical Activity contribute to final grade

• Use valid and reliable assessments- SQA-produced Unit Assessment Support Packs- Centre devised assessments that have been prior verified- Your own assessments – strongly advise you have these prior verified

• Marking of assessments- SQA packs are designed on a pass/fail basis- Use Judging Evidence Tables to make assessment judgments against Assessment

Standards- Judging Evidence Tables have commentary on how to meet each Assessment Standard- A task/activity can meet most or all of the Unit Outcome and Assessment Standards- Indicate on candidate’s work that Unit Assessment Standards have been met

• Unit Assessment complementing learning and teaching- Unit Assessment is open and flexible- Assessment should allow you space to prepare for Added Value/Course Assessment

Key messages Key messages from Verification (Round 1)

Assessment Support Schedule 2013/14 Assessment Support Schedule 2013/14 Sept 13 CfE Update Letter

Oct 13 Unit Assessment Support (Package 1)

Feb 14 Unit Assessment Support (Package 2)

Feb 14 Higher Specimen Question Paper

Mar 14 Coursework General Assessment Information

Apr 14 Unit Assessment Support (Package 3)

May 14 Update Mandatory Documents

Jun 14 Update Unit Assessment Support

DanceUnit Assessment

at Higher

Unit assessment - recapUnit assessment - recap• Flexible and open Assessment Standards and Evidence

Requirements in Units

• Greater range of techniques and methodologies for assessment – encouraged

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

• More opportunities to gather naturally occurring evidence – assessment as part of learning and teaching

Unit Assessment Support purpose Unit Assessment Support purpose

As at National 5, Assessment Support will be provided which you can use to:•Assess your candidates

•Adapt for your own assessment programmes

•Help you develop your own assessments

Unit Assessment Support at HigherUnit Assessment Support at Higher – key features – key features

• Valid from August 2014

• Complements and supports learning and teaching

• Assess competence against Unit Outcomes and Assessment Standards

• Designed to encourage professional judgement

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

• Show range of approaches to generating assessment evidence

• Give information on the type of evidence which could be gathered

Unit assessment support Unit assessment support packages at Higher - approachespackages at Higher - approaches

Package 1 • Unit by Unit approach – discrete assessment

tasks for each UnitPackage 2 • Portfolio approach – naturally occurring

evidence Package 3 • Combined approach – groups Outcomes and

Assessment Standards from different Units

Assessment Support PackageAssessment Support PackageTechnical SkillsTechnical Skills

• Study two selected dance styles:- compare technical skills and characteristics- explain influence of social and cultural

factors• Demonstrate technical skills in two

contrasting dance styles • Evaluate technical skills – self and other

Assessment Support PackageAssessment Support PackageChoreographyChoreography

•Demonstrate knowledge of choreographic principles•Analyse a professional piece of choreography:

- use and impact of choreographic principles - use and impact of theatre arts

•Choreograph and evaluate a group dance

DanceHigher Course Assessment

Course Assessment at HigherCourse Assessment at Higher• Course Assessment at National 5, Higher and

Advanced Higher assesses Added Value

• Courses at Higher are normally assessed by one or two Components

• Courses at Higher are graded A – D, as at present

• Controlled Assessment of setting, conducting and marking

• For Dance there are 2 Components – performance and practical activity

Higher – PerformanceHigher – Performance• 70 marks• 2 technical solos (35 marks each)• Tutor-choreographed• Contrasting dance styles• Each solo to last 1.5 – 2 minutes

Marking Technical SkillsMarking Technical Skills

20 marks:5 Technical execution and use of

turnout/parallel as appropriate to genre5 Centring, balance, alignment and posture5 Stamina, strength and flexibility5 Spatial awareness and accurate recreation

of choreography

Marking Performance SkillsMarking Performance Skills

15 marks:5 Timing and musicality5 Quality and dynamics5 Self-expression, sense of performance, concentration and focus

DiscussionDiscussion

Watch the solo provided for reference and, using the advice given for performance, discuss how you would devise an appropriate technical solo for your candidates.

Higher – Practical ActivityHigher – Practical Activity• 70 marks• Completed over a period of time under

some supervision and control• 2 sections: choreography (35 marks),

choreography review (35 marks)

Section 1: ChoreographySection 1: Choreography• 2-3 minutes• Minimum of 3 dancers (excluding self) • 3 tasks– Planning: select a theme, carry out research,

devise initial movement ideas– Development: create and finalise the

choreography – Performance: present choreography for

assessment

Marking ChoreographyMarking Choreography

35 marks:•Use of motif/movement to convey theme•Use of choreographic structure•Use of choreographic devices•Use of space•Use of music/sound•Use of theatre arts

Section 2: Choreography ReviewSection 2: Choreography Review

• Completed before choreography is presented for assessment

• Any suitable format• 3 tasks:– Review planning– Review development– Reflect on skills

Marking Choreography ReviewMarking Choreography Review

35 marks:•Review planning: explain relationship(s) between motif, theme and research•Review development: justify use of particular choices •Reflect on skills as a choreographer

DiscussionDiscussion

Discuss what advice or assistance you might give to your candidates regarding the organisation and management of their own choreographic process and review.