GCSE Geography
New Specification Launch
Rupert Sheard
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Qualification reform
Reformed
GCSE
subject
content (DfE)
published
April 2014
Slide 2
Reformed
GCSE
specification
available
September
2015
Start
teaching
reformed
GCSE (and
new GCE)
Copyright © AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved.
Final exams
for legacy
specs and
controlled
assessment
First
assessment
reformed
GCSE (and
new GCE)
Key Features of the specification
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Slide 3
Balanced understanding of physical, human and environmental geography
Thematic approach to the subject, with an emphasis on contemporary
issues and future changes
Flexibility: centres are free to choose their own exemplars and case study
material
Choice of optional content in selected themes, including landscapes,
ecosystems and use of resources
The use of a wide range of investigative skills and approaches, including
mathematics and statistics and modern information technologies
An issues evaluation and decision making exercise, contributing a problem
solving element to assessment
An assessment structure that is manageable and realistic, with 3 short
papers totalling 4 hours
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Overview of specification content
1. Living with the
Physical Environment
2. Challenges in the
Human Environment
3. Geographical
Applications
Challenge of Natural
Hazards:
tectonic hazards, tropical
storms, extreme weather in
the UK, climate change
Urban Challenges:
Global patterns, two
contrasting cities,
sustainable urban futures
Issue Evaluation: Theme
of issue can be selected
from any part of the
specification. Based on
secondary sources
Physical Landscapes in
the UK:
Two from coastal, river,
glacial landscapes
The Changing Economic
World: Global patterns,
closing the development
gap, contrasting studies of
economic development
Fieldwork: two fieldwork
enquiries, contrasting
environments, physical
and human geography,
enquiry process.
The Living World:
Local ecosystems, tropical
rainforests, one from hot
deserts and cold
environments
The Challenge of
Resource Management:
Overview of resources in
the UK, global resource
security-one from food,
water, energy
Slide 4
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Geography of the UK
The geography of the UK is integrated into the physical and human geography
themes studied:
Slide 5
•
The challenge of natural hazards-extreme weather in the UK.
•
Physical landscapes in the United Kingdom-coastal landscapes,
river landscapes, glacial landscapes
•
The living world- small scale local ecosystem
•
Urban issues and challenges-major city in the UK
•
Changing economic world- economic futures in the UK
•
Challenge of resource management-overview of food, water and
energy resources in the UK
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Specification/Assessment at a glance
Unit 1:
Living with the Physical
Environment
35 %
The study of physical processes and patterns
Assessment
1 hour 30 minutes
Candidates answer 5 questions out of 7
(2 compulsory)
88 marks, including 3 SPAG
Unit 2:
Challenges in the
Human Environment
35 %
The study of human geography themes and issues
Assessment
1 hour 30 minutes
Candidates answer 4 questions out of 6
(3 compulsory)
88 marks including 3 SPAG
Unit 3
Geographical
Applications
30 %*
Issue evaluation, based on resource booklet, and
fieldwork
Assessment
1 hour 15 minutes
Candidates answer all questions
76 marks, including 6 SPAG
Assessment of fieldwork represents 15% of total assessment.
Assessment of maths and statistical skills must be 10% of total assessment
Total marks 240 (plus 12 SPAG-5% of total)
Slide 6
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Summary of Assessment
•
Unit 1 – Living with the Physical Environment
35% of the assessment
Candidates answer questions on:
• The challenge of natural hazards - tectonic hazards, tropical storms,
extreme weather in the UK, climate change
(30 marks +3 SPAG)
•
Physical landscapes in the United Kingdom - 2 from coastal landscapes,
river landscapes, glacial landscapes (30 marks)
•
The living world - ecosystems, tropical rainforests, 2 from hot deserts and
cold environments (25 marks)
Questions will be a mix of multiple choice, short structured responses and
extended writing.
Slide 7
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Summary of Assessment
Unit 2 Challenges in the Human Environment
35% of the assessment
Candidates answer questions on:
• Urban issues and challenges
(30 marks+ 3 SPAG)
•
The changing economic world (30 marks)
•
The challenge of resource management-general overview, one from food,
water and energy (25 marks)
Questions will be a mix of multiple choice, short structured responses and
extended writing.
Slide 8
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Summary of Assessment
Unit 3 - Geographical Applications
30% of the assessment
Section A - Issue Evaluation
Compulsory structured questions on a theme – leading up to an extended
writing task based on a pre-release Sources Booklet – to be issued to
students in advance. The theme will arise from the subject content of Units
1 or 2 but may extend beyond it through the use of the resources. The
theme could combine human and physical aspects. (34 marks +3 SPAG)
Section B - Fieldwork
Compulsory questions based on candidates’ enquiry work and the use of
fieldwork materials in an unfamiliar context (36 marks +3 SPAG)
Slide 9
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General questions
Slide 10
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Content and skills for Paper/Unit 1
Living with the Physical Environment
•
Natural Hazards - involves the study of tectonic hazards, weather hazards
and climate change. Note that there is only one case study of tectonic
hazards and that the content is much reduced compared with existing
specifications. Climate change focuses on causes and management
(mitigation and adaptation).
•
Physical Landscapes in the UK - involves the study of 2 different
landscapes, the processes of erosion and deposition, and the landforms
which result. Human intervention and management of the landscapes are
considered. Again the content for each individual landscape is reduced
compared with existing courses
•
The Living World - focuses on the characteristics of ecosystems at
different scales and threats to biodiversity. There is compulsory study of a
local ecosystem and tropical rainforests, then a choice between hot deserts
and cold environments.
Slide 11
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Content and skills for Paper/Unit 2
Challenges in the Human Environment
•
Urban issues and challenges. Involves the study of global trends and
patterns, the impacts of rapid urbanisation and the resulting opportunities
and challenges in two contrasting cities. Includes sustainable methods of
managing urban living. Detailed study of a UK city and one in a LIC/NEE.
•
The changing economic world. Looks at the complexities of measuring
development and ways of reducing the development gap. Issues of trading
relationships, international aid and the role of TNCs are explored. Detailed
study of one named LIC or NEE and a contrasting study of economic
futures in the UK and the place of the UK in the wider world
•
The challenges of resource management. Studies the increasing global
demand for resources, highlighting stark inequalities. Issues of resource
provision in the UK. Resource security in relation to either food, or water or
energy-reasons for insecurity, impacts, strategies to increase supply
including sustainable solutions.
Slide 12
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Structure of Question Paper 3
•
Length of paper
•
% of total marks
•
Number of sections 2
Section A 34 marks (plus 3 SPAG)
1 hour 15 minutes
30%
Section B 36 marks (plus 3 SPAG)
•
Question types in each section - multiple choice, short structured questions,
completion of graphs, photo interpretation/description, interpretation of
maps on different scales, data response, longer extended writing responses
•
All questions compulsory
•
Approximately 65% questions levels marked. One 9 mark question with 3
levels of response
Slide 13
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Issue Evaluation
•
Students learn about an issue, study options to solve it and make a decision.
They consider the points of view of the stakeholders involved, make an
appraisal of the advantages and disadvantages, and evaluate the
alternatives
•
Resource sheet will consist of a mix of geographical sources such as maps
on different scales, photographs, satellite images, factfiles, statistics, graphs,
newspaper extracts, quotes from different interest groups
•
Assessment will consist of a series of shorter questions related to the
contemporary geographical issue, based on the interpretation of the
resources. These lead to a more extended piece of writing (9 marks),
involving a decision with some justification.
Slide 14
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Fieldwork assessment
•
Students need to undertake two geographical enquiries, each of which
must include the use of primary data, collected as part of a fieldwork
exercise
•
The two enquiries must be carried out in contrasting environments and
show an understanding of both physical and human geography
•
In at least one of the enquiries students are expected to show an
understanding about the interaction between physical and human
geography
Slide 15
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Geographical Skills
Skills will be assessed in all three written exams. Ordnance Survey maps or
other map extracts may be used in any of the three exams.
Cartographic-atlas
maps, OS maps,
maps with
photographs
Graphical skillsselecting and
constructing
appropriate graphs,
charts, maps
Numerical skillsnumber, area, scale,
proportion, ratio
Statistical skillscentral tendency,
spread, scatter plots
Use and interpretation of
qualitative and
quantitative data from
primary and secondary
sources, including GIS
Slide 16
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AQA ongoing support and resources
•
AQA website
•
e-AQA
•
Secure Key Materials
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ERA (Enhanced Results Analysis)
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Training courses
•
Preparing to teach events
•
AQA family of businesses
(Exampro, Teach it, Alfie)
Slide 17
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Subject resources
•
On-line teacher resources will be available:
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Resource lists including texts for students,
recommended academic books, web sites
and other resources, including Schemes of
Work
•
Digital specification, which will include links to
lesson plans and other items and which will
be updated throughout the life of the
specification
•
Additional sample questions, students’
answers and examiner commentaries
•
Three approved publishers for GCSE
Slide 18
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Contact points for more information and guidance
Geography Subject Team:
Tony Floyd, GCSE Geography Qualifications Developer
Tel: 01483 477 791
geography@aqa.org.uk
Teacher Support and CPD Managers:
Robert Kirkham and Marion Bristow
Tel: 0161 957 3646
teachercpd@aqa.org.uk
AQA Website:
Slide 19
www.aqa.org.uk
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Final questions
Slide 20
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Thank you
We are an independent education charity
and the largest provider of academic qualifications for all abilities
taught in schools and colleges.
Our aim is to enable students to realise their potential
and provide teachers with the support and resources they need
so that they can focus on inspiring learning.
http://www.aqa.org.uk/
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