Transcript Extended Project Qualification Standardising November 2009

Extended Project Qualification
Henry Elliott
Assistant Principal Moderator
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Teacher or Supervisor
What’s in a name?
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What does the Extended Project
Qualification Involve?
•
An individual student-selected and managed
project
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Process based; designed to enable the student to
develop and demonstrate a range of higher level
skills
•
Designed to develop higher-level skills required in
higher education and employment
•
Of 120 hours duration – 30 ‘teaching’ + 90
individual work
Copyright © 2010 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved.
Copyright © 2010 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved.
Employment Skills in EPQ
•
•
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Time management and personal organisation
•
Communicating complex information to a ‘lay’
audience
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Use of ICT to communicate effectively
Problem solving and decision making
Clear, concise and accurate written
communication
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Model of
Project Management
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Project Management in EPQ
Courtesy of the University of Manchester
A01: Manage
A04: Review
EPQ
journey
A03:Develop and
Realise
AO2: Use
Resources
What does the EPQ Student
Produce?
•
Evidence of achieving the formulated aim
 Product
 5000 word research report
 Artefact + 1000 word research report
 Completed AQA production log
 Evidence of an individual presentation
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How is EPQ different?
A Student’s View
‘No matter how good your teachers are and how much
they want you to have your own ideas, anything you do for
A-levels comes from them’.
‘The Extended Project allowed me to research my own
project and to own my own ideas because it made me
explore the steps that were leading me to my conclusions.’
http://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk
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What teachers do
•
Teach subject and students by

Interpreting and delivering agreed curriculum

Transmitting their passion for the subject onto their
students
•
Assess students’ progress
•
Prepare students for external examinations
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The EPQ Taught Programme
•
Designed by each centre to equip the students with the
skills needed to complete their projects. Could include






•
Time Management Skills
Research Skills and Evaluation of Sources
Report Writing Skills
Referencing and Bibliography Creation
Presentation Skills
Reflection and Evaluation
Delivered by the centre, not necessarily the supervisor
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What EPQ supervisors do
•
Advise and support individual students
•
Negotiate and approve topics for study
•
Review student progress against aims and
advise appropriately
•
Assess completed projects against AQA criteria
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AQA Extended Project Process
A Supervisor’s View
‘The EPQ offers students a real opportunity to not only
develop the skills that they will need when they move on
from college to either work or university, such as
communicating their ideas to others and independent
research, but also gives them a chance to pursue a topic
outside their taught courses that they are really passionate
about. I would have loved to have had the chance to do
something similar when I was doing my A-levels.’
http://www.winstanley.ac.uk
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Exercise 1
Project Approval
Please consider Scenario 1 and
attempt questions 1 and 2
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Exercise 2
Review
Please consider Scenario 2 and
attempt questions 3 and 4
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Exercise 3
Student Presentation
Please consider Scenario 3 and
attempt question 5
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Exercise 4
Assessment of Projects
Please consider Scenario 4 and
attempt question 6
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What is EPQ Worth to Higher
Education?
We value the skills of research and independent learning that
the Extended Project is designed to develop. We welcome
applications from students offering the Extended Project
alongside A levels. As the Extended Project is optional it is not a
requirement for application. If you offer an Extended Project, it
will be taken into account. Your offer may be varied as a result, in
recognition of the level of study skills you will have developed.
University of Newcastle
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What is EPQ Worth to
Employers?
One large employer states that through activities such
as the Extended Project, students will develop their
capabilities in terms of problem solving, critical analysis,
team working and communications, as well as high
standards of Maths and English – all of which are highly
prized by employers.
Gary Argent, UK Graduate Recruitment Manager, LogicaCMG
Copyright © 2010 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved.
Thank you for listening
I will be around until the end of the
conference.
Please feel free to raise and EPQ-related
issues with me
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