Coordinator : Gaelle Dendaletche / Pilot 2006-2008
Assessment objectives :
AO1 MANAGE
Identify, design plan and complete the individual project, task within a group project, applying organisational skills and strategies to meet stated objectives
AO2 USE RESOURCES
Obtain and select information from a range of sources and analyse data, apply relevantly and demonstrate understanding of any appropriate linkages, connections and complexities of their topic
AO3 DEVELOP AND RELISE
Select and use a range of skill, including new technologies to solve problems and to take decisions and critically creatively and flexibly, and to achieve planned outcomes
AO4 REVIEW
Evaluate outcomes including own learning and performance. Selection and use a range of communications skills and media to convey and present evidenced outcomes and conclusions
Process : will be assessed through
- completion of a production log that includes thoughts on planning, research, making decisions, solving problems, evaluating and reviewing…
- a presentation
- completion of a detailed bibliography and research analysis form
- completion of an action plan
- Data modelling research
- Experimental design
- Building a performance
- A business, social or community project
- A local, regional or international team project
- Written report / creative topics
Requirements
-5000 words written report
-Or artefact and 1000 words written report / Grades : A*-E
Taught element: ( up to 30 hours from September 2008)
- Presentation of the project : process / product
- Introduction to the production log
- Finding a topic / writing a project proposal
- Research skills
- Writing an outline
- Writing the report
- Reviewing and evaluating
- Presentation / communication skills
- powerpoint slides on techniques / skills / presentation of the EP
- research skills session taught in the library
- advice taken from English specialists about writing the report
- advice taken from Drama specialists about presentation and communication skills (sessions could be delivered by these specialists)
Role of the mentor:
- Mentoring sessions to take place as often as required from both supervisor / student
- Supervisor to guide student and give advice. Student to decide to act or not on supervisor’s advice
- Minutes to be recorded in the production log
- Mentor to mark the project according to the AOs
- Mentor to attend (if possible) the presentation
Planning and development / Outcomes
Week 1-2Select EPQ students
Students questionnaire
Present the EP: criteria and requirements / paperwork
Give out dates / deadlines to students for ppf, production log, presentation, report submission / Explore and reflect personal strengths and weakness in ability to conduct self directed learning
Assess existing skills and learning development needs
Making sure the students are aware of all criteria including deadlines early on
Week 3-5 Student ideas for research and development of project
Initial planning meeting- decide research topic-related to core content of one or more subjects areas or personal interests
Student led decision making of topic area of interest
Mind map : ideas about the topic, about material needed etc… / Discussion
Student records for EPQ DATA collection
Student to conduct initial search for materials and ideas / start structuring their ideas
Week 6 Finding a supervisor
Supervisor’s main comments and advice
Changes, clarifications or additions made to topic as a result of discussion with supervisor / Production log : initial thoughts to be recorded as well as discussion with the supervisor
Week 7 October half-term
Start researching information
Weeks 8-9 Sessions on research skills
One session can be done in the library
One about other sources i.e. TV, primary sources… / Assess skills in terms of research / variety of sources
Primary / secondary sources
Using the library!
Week 10-12 Action plan and research
Outline the steps in planned research and development
Search secondary / primary sources
Analyse sources / Title of project
Production log “ Plan at the start of project”
Outline of research tasks and sources – research analysis
Action plan
Week 13-14 Project proposal form to be completed
Finalise topic title and key questions
Continue research
Deadline for approval of project titles : 15/12 / Project proposal form to be completed
Weeks 12- 16 Student research time (includes Christmas Holidays)
Discussion of reading and research
Supervisors main comments and advice / Student to search primary / secondary sources and analyse his findings
Quotations to be extracted / plagiarism issue to be discussed with supervisor
At the end of this research time, students should have all the information they need as they will be no more time for research after : how to select what is important needs to be part of the student / supervisor discussion
Week 17 Mid-project review / To be completed
Weeks 18-23 (February Half-term) Writing the report
Taught element : outline, writing the main body, introduction and conclusion, foot notes / bibliography, punctuation… / Students to be taught formatting and basic rules of writing reports
Start writing their own report (either long / short version) + finish artefact
Clear and detailed organisation of report
Week 24 Evaluation / End of project review
Evaluation of project / product
Evaluation of process / End of project review to be completed
Positive / negative evaluation
Target setting and monitoring progress
Assessing new skills
Week 25-27 Presentation
Communication skills / voice projection (drama department?)
Role of body language
The role of the audience
Format / Going away from Power Point
The questions and answers part
Deadline for entries : 21/03 / Students to prepare for their presentation exam
Presentation record to be completed
Put in practice techniques to enhance the quality of their presentation
Showing the positives / negatives of Power Point
Allowing students to feel more relaxed and communicate effectively
Week 28-29 Summary and reflection
-evaluation
-skills
-summary of project : process and product / Conclusion to the project
Summary / reflection part of production log to be completed
Project to be handed in before the Easter holidays
Projects to be marked during the Easter Holidays
Deadline for withdrawal of students : 21/04
Standardisation to take place after the holidays (over a 2 weeks period if necessary)
Then e-portfolio submission / post – centre mark forms to be filled in if not using e-aqa
Deadline for submission of projects : 15/05