|
|
|||||
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
Frequently asked questions
How is the 2nd edition different? The main change to the content is that the terminology for scientific inquiry has been changed to be consistent with the new GCSEs (from September 2011). To keep the book costs as low as possible, the book is now printed in 1 colour only (gray scale). How are Missions linked to Wikid? The Mission names match the course’s Big Ideas and Core Tasks. Wikid’s assessment activities are being specifically aimed at the medal statements, to enable maximum opportunity for formative assessment. The teacher guide document, that comes with the booklets will provide a reference table for the links. More ... Can I get an inspection copy? You can purchase an individual copy at £3.99. If you then order a class set, it will be free (we will refund the cost). Why are there so many missions? We extracted over 35 different goals from APP and the Programme of Study. The APP grid makes it seem fewer by lumping all the science concepts together into AF1. We think they’re all important, so these Big Ideas have their own Mission. Why are there not 2 booklets for different levels? There are two missions for each goal – one pitched at L3 to L5-, and the other at L5+ to L7. These could be separated into two booklets. But in practice, students will straddle both, and a single booklet seems more manageable. Will an electronic version be available? No. The concept of Missions is to put the criteria into the hands of students, giving them more responsibility for learning. Consultation told us that for most schools, paper is still the most convenient format. How does Missions help with periodic assessment? Over time, achievement at individual Missions builds up into a picture of strengths and areas for improvement, for each Assessment Focus. The booklet contains ‘APP scoreboards’ to represent visually this overall progress. Are medals exactly the same as APP levels? Wherever possible we expanded on the APP performance descriptors to create the statements. However, in many APP areas there are gaps. We decided to maximise the formative potential of Missions by filling in the gaps. We writing ‘nearly there’ statements set at a difficulty below a criterion to guide students towards the level performance. We also wrote ‘going beyond’ statements for students who achieve more than an APP criterion demands. How will the Booklets be manageable in practice? Teachers have suggested that they give out Missions booklets in class, but retain them in school. The idea is they last throughout Y7 and Y8.
|