CARIBBEAN EXAMINATIONS COUNCIL
Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate
PHYSICS SYLLABUS Effective for examination from May-June 2015
ORIENTATION WORKSHOPMay 29, 2013
WELCOME!
THANK YOU FOR COMING!
Aim:“…to apprise participants of changes to the
syllabus and to enhance their knowledge base and skills required to interpret and implement the CSEC Physics Syllabus…”
Major Changes
• Rationale• Organization of the syllabus– Suggestion for teaching the syllabus– The Practical Approach– Sections
• Format of the exam– School-Based Assessments
Rationale
• Greater emphasis on the application of scientific concepts and principles
• Embracement of 1. The Vision of the Ideal Caribbean Person
(Adopted by the CARICOM Heads of Government at their 18th Summit)
2. UNESCO’s Pillars of Learning
Rationale
The Ideal Caribbean Person is described as being someone who:
has respect for human life and awareness of the importance of living in harmony with the environment;
demonstrates multiple literacies; independent and critical thinking and the innovative application of science and technology to problem solving;
demonstrate a positive work ethic and value and display creative imagination and entrepreneurship.
RationaleUNESCO’S PILLARS OF LEARNING
Organization of the Syllabus
Suggestions for teaching the syllabus and the Practical Approach– greater emphasis on the application of scientific
concepts and principles– establish relevant link to regional and global
examples– employ a practical approach whenever possible
By facilitating inquiry-based learning, we will cater to different teaching and learning styles.
Organization of the Syllabus
Sections• Previously, the CSEC Physics Syllabus comprised
of 6 sections.• The revised has 5 sections– Physical Measurements and Units and Mechanics
now make up one section.– Some sections have been shortened. • E3.4, (calculations on the cost of electrical energy
(KWH)) • E4.20 (International colour code) have been removed
Organization of the Syllabus
• Skills and Interrelationships column has been extended to– include Chemistry, Mathematics and Biology
overlaps;– identify skills that can be assessed during suggested
practical activities.• Suggested Teaching and Learning Activities
section.– List of activities– URL (web address)
Questions?
Time for a break
Format of the exam
• Paper 01 (1 hour 15 minutes) 1. 60 MC Questions
• Paper 02 (2 ½ hrs) 1. One compulsory data analysis question.2. Two structured .3. Three extended response questions.
• Paper 03/1 1. SBA
• Paper 03/21. Alternate to the SBA for private candidates
Guideline for the SBAs
• Minimum number of practicals remain at 16 over a two year period.
• Previously, 10 topics were listed and considered essential for the development and evaluations of skills.
• Presently, the 16 practicals MUST includePendulum SHC/SLH Radioactive DecayMomentum/Conservation of energy RefractionSeries and Parallel Circuits I-V Relationships
Guideline for the SBAs
• Previous Assessment of Practical SkillsSkills Point I Point II Point III Point IV
Observation/Recording/Reporting (ORR)
Manipulation /Measurement(MM)
Planning and Designing(PD)
Analysis and Interpretation(AI)
SBA Mark should be average of at least two separate assessments
Guideline for the SBAs
• Revised Assessment of Practical Skills
Profile Skills
Year 1 Year 2 TOTAL
Times to be assessed Marks Times to be
assessed MarksTimes to be
assessed Marks
XS
MM 1 10 2 20 3 30
90(30*) ORR 1 10 2 20 3 30
PD 2 20 1 10 3 30
UK AI 2 20 1 20 3 40 40(10*)
TOTAL 6 60 6 70 12 130 40*
Page 55
Guideline for the SBAs
• Each skill must be assessed at least 3 times over the 2 year period.
• Do not assess more than two skills for one activity.
• Encourage students to make corrections so that misconceptions will not persist.
Guideline for the SBAs
• Addition of an Investigative project.– planning to be done in Year 1– execution to be done in Year 2
• Investigative project will be assessed for the skills PD (10 marks) and AI (20 marks).
Guideline for the SBAs
• On-site moderation of the SBAs by an external moderator
• Moderators will make a first visit near the end of Year 1 and a second visit during the middle of Year 2.
• Revised SBA Assessment Record Sheets will be available online at www.cxc.org .
Questions?
Format of the exam
• Previous weighting of Papers and Profiles:
Profiles Paper 1(MC)
Paper 2(Structured;
Data Analysis)
Paper 3(Free
Response)Paper 4
(SBA)Total
%
Knowledge and Comprehension(KC)
25 10 10 - 45
Use of Knowledge(UK) - 15 15 5 35
Experimental Skills(XS) - 5 - 15 20
TOTAL % 25 30 25 20 100
Format of the exam
• Revised weighting of Papers and Profiles:
Profiles Paper 1(MC)
Paper 2(Structured;
Data Analysis)
Paper 3(SBA)
TOTAL RAW
Total%
Knowledge and Comprehension(KC)
50 35 - 85 43
Use of Knowledge(UK) 10 55 10 75 37
Experimental Skills(XS) - 10 30 40 20
TOTAL 60 100 40 200 100
Table 1, Page 6