Endorsed A-level Physics practicals
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AS and A level specifications at a glance
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12 required practicals at A-level quoted in the specification
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6 are the same as the required AS practicals
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basic apparatus and techniques required are common to all
AOs
some questions in written papers will be based on the
required practicals.
these and other practicals form the basis of the Practical
Endorsement.
specification supported with a ‘Practical Handbook’ for
teaching, and also guidance for students to document their
practicals.
Practicals
“at the heart of physics specification provides many opportunities to
use practical experiences to link theory to reality, and to equip students
with essential practical skills” AQA, 2015
5 Competencies – Common to all boards
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Follows written procedures
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Applies investigative approaches and methods when using instruments and
equipment
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Safely uses a range of practical equipment and materials
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Makes and records observations
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Researches, references and reports
The 12 skills (in brief)
1. Us e of analog ue apparatus and interpolation
between s c ale marking s
2. Us e of dig ital apparatus inc luding multimeter
3. Methods to improve ac c urac y
4. Us e of s topwatc h or lig ht g ates
5. Us e of c alipers or mic rometers (dig ital/vernier
s c ale)
6. C ons truc ting c irc uits from diag rams
7. Des ig ning , c ons truc ting and c hec king c irc uits
8. Us e of s ig nal g enerator and os c illos c ope
9. G enerating and meas uring waves
10. Us e of las er or lig ht s ourc e to inves tig ate lig ht
11. Us e of IC T to c ollec t or proc es s data
12. Us e of ionis ing radiation inc luding detec tors
Example of groups of practical activities that cover assessed skills
Scheme of work approaches could be....
- Introductory lessons covering all practical techniques;
- Practical sessions each week, some to learn skills, some assessed;
- Skills covered as required before assessed practical;
- Indirectly assessed skills still need practice (written paper);
Running sessions:
Practicalities with large groups
Keeping records: you; student.
Endorsements – All boards
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Competencies (Common Practical Assessment Criteria)
– assessed by the teacher for endorsement
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Pass or not reported
Consistency - details of administration will be common to all boards
All boards are aware that record keeping and moderation needs to be a
workable process, that it is not onerous on schools
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Awarding bodies made recommendations to Ofqual and boards ran trials.
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http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/cross-board-practical-trial-autumn-2014
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http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/Science-practicals/working-with-schools-to-shape-the-future-of-practicals
Useful resources (consider using other exam board’s
resources if they are better!)
AQA very detailed guidance
OCR practical skills handbook (current version is very useful; 2015
accessible through interchange)
Edexcel specification is detailed; detailed resources for each
practical
Additional information online e.g. IoP Teaching Advanced Physics
or Nuffield Foundation practical physics
Administration:
Some practical skills assessed directly in practicals; some skills assessed
indirectly in written paper
‘Required’ practicals and/or practicals unrelated to the specification may
be examined in written paper
Most skills assessed > once, so pupils who miss assessed practicals may
not need to redo them.
Lost practical books e.g. collect practical books in; write up experiments
separately and collect in.
Exam board guidance
Pupils must cover all skills, and must do at least 12 assessed
practicals.
Practical competency doesn’t affect final grade, but will be stated
on A-level certificate as pass/fail
General feedback : recommended practicals are not compulsory
but are guidance of suitable opportunities
I advise checking with the Board before using completely different
practicals
Check recommended practicals do cover all skills e.g. map the
skills against your practicals