introducing unit specifications and unit assessment support packs biology national 3, 4 and 5
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Introducing Unit Specifications and Unit Assessment Support Packs
Introducing Unit Specifications and Unit Assessment Support Packs
BiologyNational 3, 4 and 5
Unit AssessmentUnit 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 packages
More opportunities to gather naturally occurring evidence – assessment as part of learning and teaching
Unit StructureUnit Structure
National 3 National 4 National 5
Cell Biology Cell Biology Cell Biology
Multicellular Organisms Multicellular Organisms Multicellular Organisms
Life on Earth Life on Earth Life on Earth
Added Value Unit: Biology Assignment
(National 4)
Key points: Biology UnitsKey points: Biology Units 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 N3 to AH in all Sciences have (almost) same Outcomes and Assessment Standards (apart from N4 AV Unit); differentiation is through the evidence requirements
added value assessment increases personalisation and choice in the Biology assignment at National 4
Outcome 1Outcome 1
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 2Outcome 2
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
Unit SpecificationsUnit Specifications
Assessment Standards and Evidence Requirements: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. Key Areas are listed for each UnitEvidence can be drawn from a variety of sources and presented in a variety of formats. Evidence may be presented for individual Outcomes or gathered for the Unit as a whole, through combining assessment holistically in a single event.Evidence requirements for the Assessment standards…..
Assessment Standard Evidence required
1.1 Planning an experiment/practical investigation
The plan should include: •an aim •a dependent and independent variable •key variables to be kept constant •measurements/observations to be made •the resources •the method including health and safety considerations
1.3 Making and recording observations/measurements accurately
Units used appropriately
1.4 Presenting results in an appropriate format One format per Unit from: table, line graph, chart, key, diagram, flow chart, summary or other appropriate format
1.5 Drawing a valid conclusion Include reference to aim
1.6 Evaluating experimental procedures Suggest an improvement with justification
2.1 Making accurate statements One for each Key Area
2.3 Describing a biological issue in terms of the effect on the environment / society
The description should include the biology of the issue
2.4 Solving problems One of each per Unit: •make generalisations/predictions •select information •process information, including calculations, as appropriate •analyse information
Transfer of evidence across UnitsTransfer 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.”
Unit Assessment Support Packages - purposeUnit Assessment Support Packages - purpose
UASPs can be used to:
•Assess your candidates
•Adapt for your own assessment programmes
•Help you develop your own assessments
UASPs – key featuresUASPs – 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 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 Assessment Standards
Biology UASPsBiology UASPs
Package 1 Unit by Unit approach for N3, for N4 and for N5 (9 in
total)– Task 1: Outcome 1, – Task 2 Ass.St. 2.2 & 2.3, – Task 3 questions on Ass.St. 2.1 & 2.4
Package 2 Combined across the 3 Units at N3, at N4 & at N5 (3 in
total)– Assessment activity 1: Outcome 1 & Ass.St. 2.2 & 2.3– Assessment activity 2: q uestions covering Ass.St. 2.1
Package 3 Portfolio approach across the 3 Units at N3, at N4 & at
N5 (3 in total)
National 4 Added Value UnitNational 4 Added Value Unit
Makes the Course more than the sum of its parts Builds on current Course assessment and Group
Award approaches Defined as breadth, challenge and/or application
as outlined in Building the Curriculum 5 May involve accumulation, assimilation,
integration and/or application of skills, knowledge and understanding
Controlled assessment –setting conducting and marking
N4 AV Unit: Biology AssignmentN4 AV Unit: Biology Assignment
This Unit is a mandatory Unit of the National 4 Biology Course and is also available as a free-standing Unit. Learners will investigate a topical issue in biology, using knowledge and skills selected from Cell Biology/Multicellular Organisms/Life on Earth key areas. Internally marked pass or fail
Outcome 1 (only)Outcome 1 (only)
Apply skills and knowledge to investigate a topical issue in biology and its impact on society/the environment by: 1.1 Choosing, with justification, a relevant issue in biology 1.2 Researching the issue 1.3 Presenting appropriate information/data 1.4 Explaining the impact, in terms of the biology involved 1.5 Communicating the findings of the investigation
N5 Internal Assessment of Course ComponentsN5 Internal Assessment of Course Components Controlled assessment is SQA’s approach to
developing assessments (setting), the conditions of assessment (conducting), and marking assessments (marking).
SQA is introducing controlled assessment for non-question paper components of the Added Value Unit and new National Courses at National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher.
eg. Assessment Standard 2.1 (Making accurate statements)eg. Assessment Standard 2.1 (Making accurate statements)
Controlled assessment
This performance is: set by centres within SQA guidelines conducted under a high degree of supervision and control Evidence will be internally marked by centre staff in line with SQA marking instructions. Marking will be quality assured by SQA. The performance will be recorded.
Moving onMoving on
Workshop 1 and 2 will give you the opportunity to look at the Unit Specifications and Unit Assessment Support Packages in detail.
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