[Roy Huggins]

Hi Guys,

Please find attached a draft copy of an assessment task on the causes of the English Civil War and its marks scheme.

I'm not 100% statisfied with it so I'd appreciate any feedback or thoughts that folks may have, especially on the mark scheme and the way that I have divided up the KSU skills.

 Causes_of_the_English_Civil_War_Assessment_Task.doc (382K)
Number of downloads: 220
 Markscheme_for_causes_of_the_English_CW_2.doc (58K)
Number of downloads: 103

A few questions to consider:

Should I chuck it away and start from scatch?
How can the assessment task be improved?
Has the mark scheme been over engineered / too detailed?
Have I interpreted the level descripters correctly?
Could a non specialist use it?

Kind Regards

Roy

This post has been edited by rhuggins: 04 February 2007 - 11:58 PM

[Tom H]

I don't think you should chuck it away and start again from scratch - there are some very good sources there, and there is a clear structure for pupils to follow. I take it the pupils would go through some of the sources first? With regards to a non-specialist using it, I think it would depend on how much support the class needed. Certainly I'd be tempted to break it down into smaller tasks before then getting them to write up the assessment task (i.e. source analysis sheet and categorising the sources into economic/religious etc).

I like it though, and since the next thing to teach with Year 8 is the Civil War I think I might borrow some sources if that's OK?

Tom

[Roy Huggins]

Hi Tom,

Thanks for the feedback, greatly appreciated. I've produced an SEN version as well as a card sort to help students prepare for the exam. I'll try and upload them later tonight. The card sort isn't quite finished.

In terms of the context of the assessment my students have been working towards this task for about 4 weeks, analysing the long and short causes and trying to make judgements at each stage. I can recommend using some of the slides in the boardworks PP 'Causes of the Civil War' with this assessment task along side SHP text book on the Making of the UK. I also use the BBC video: Making of the UK - Laud and the changes to the Church.

If I was using this assessment task with a bottom set I would produce a PPE writing frame to help them structure their answers - Point, Example and Explain.

Kind Regards

Roy Huggins
PS Card Sort to follow

[Roy Huggins]

Hi Guys,

Please find attached the promised card sort - it is not perfect! Please feel free to feedback and adapt.

 Card_Sort_on_Causes_of_the_Civil_war.doc (47K)
Number of downloads: 108

Kind Regards

Roy Huggins

[Ed Waller]

Hi Roy,

As Tom says, great resources.

And as ever from the historians, questions rather than answers:

How long do the students get to complete the task? (I'm curious, don't necessarily think it matters).
How are the students prepared for the assessment? Do you tell them about WILF?

I think there has been some great thinking and tons of effort put into the assessment. What follows is to help discussion in the context of the work.

The substantive question is "What were the causes..." and the mark scheme focuses on other criteria. In our portfolio world, isn't it possible to think differently and mark on how well the students discuss causation? Viz linked, classified, prioritised... To quote from the New Level 7: "They use these links to analyse relationships between the diverse features of a particular period or society, and to analyse reasons for, and results of, events and changes."

You might even consider changing the question (a la [au?] Lomas) possibly "Could the Civil War have been avoided?"

You could (again a la Lomas) then have staging posts provided to help them find their way to a high level (a handful, lifted from Lomas again...)

Given the situation, what choices might X have had?
Given these choices, what decision would you have taken?
If this appears to have been the best response, why do you think X took this course of action?
Why might X not really have understood what Y was doing/believed in?
What experiences could X look back on the help them decide about…?

The mark scheme you have is a wonderful resource inasmuch as it provides a clear overview for teachers (including non-specialists) of what the various levels 'look like'. I'm sure my department would be very jealous if I ever were to tell them such things were possible!

Hope this is of use. But feel free to cast into the abyss....

Regards

Ed

[Roy Huggins]

Hi Ed,

Many thanks for your feedback, lots to think about, especially on causation. Just out of interest, do you know where I can download or get a copy of the latest copy of the revised N/C level descriptor. I missed the last QCA meeting as they only gave me 2 days notice. I know that ee discussed the possibility of revising some of the levels so I'd be interested in seeing anything that you've come across.

Kind Regards

Roy

[Ed Waller]

Hi Roy

[fumbles in back pocket for relevant back of cigarette packet]

Here!

The site is navigable to look at other areas too... It should have a "Specimen" watermark for the consultation stage!

Pity the info on the last meeting was late getting to you. You would no doubt have reflected the views of 'the community' well.

regards

Ed

[Roy Huggins]

Hi Ed,

Thansk for this, I've been burning the midnight oil redesigning / updating some other assessment tasks. Watch this space tomorrow.

Kind Regards

Roy

[Roy Huggins]

Hi Guys,

I've made a few changes to the attached causes of the civil war mark scheme. All feedback gratefully recieved.

 Markscheme_for_causes_of_the_English_CW_2.doc (58K)
Number of downloads: 84

Kind Regards

Roy