Thursday 29 October 2009
Sunday 25 October 2009
Higher Prelim 2010
I can understand why Standard Grade prelims are more of a pressing concern for Modern Studies teachers just now, but, as ever, teachers need to multi task and think of the kind of questions Higher pupils will be asked in January or February.
In an ideal world, teachers wouldn't teach to any exam. You'd teach the syllabus, then come up with an assessment. But, in reality, come next February, the Higher course won't be finished before Prelims need to be set. Perhaps only three units (out of four or five)will be completed, as well as preparation to sit Paper Two.
So, its wise to think ahead. The Prelim is a very important exam. Its the only opportunity for pupils to experience what its like to attempt 4 x 15 mark questions in 90 minutes, closely followed by a Paper Two, with all its unique demands.
The prelim can then be invaluable in providing pupils with the kind of feedback that can move them on to the next level. Writing a great essay is a lot easier when you have the books in front of you and all night to write it. Learning how to revise, manage time, answer questions in a short time span (especially when there's maybe another three or four Highers to prepare for at the same time) is a different matter altogether.
Lastly, the Prelim is vital for SQA appeals. No-one wants to go through the business of hoping to get the right result by appeal. But, its better than not getting it at all and it counts just the same as an A,B or C in August.
A prelim which replicates the demands of the May exam is essential to this outcome. That requires the same kind of question, the same time allocation and the same exam conditions. It also depends on the marking being of the same standard as SQA marking, which isn't easy as teachers, as human beings, see things in their pupils' work the completely neutral SQA marker might not.
To better understand SQA standards, this website may be of assistance. Teachers who have experience of SQA marking are, naturally, better able to apply that standard than those who haven't.
Our prelim is going to the printers this week and will be in the post to those who have ordered it next week. It costs £40 incl postage.
If you would like to order the prelim (teachers only!!), either do so via the online store or by traditional school purchase order. I plan to run a webconference at the end of January for teachers with any queries on any aspect of the prelim, so please let me know if you'd be interested in this also.
PS It should, of course, be stated that this Prelim paper is, like all commercial papers, completely independent of SQA.
In an ideal world, teachers wouldn't teach to any exam. You'd teach the syllabus, then come up with an assessment. But, in reality, come next February, the Higher course won't be finished before Prelims need to be set. Perhaps only three units (out of four or five)will be completed, as well as preparation to sit Paper Two.
So, its wise to think ahead. The Prelim is a very important exam. Its the only opportunity for pupils to experience what its like to attempt 4 x 15 mark questions in 90 minutes, closely followed by a Paper Two, with all its unique demands.
The prelim can then be invaluable in providing pupils with the kind of feedback that can move them on to the next level. Writing a great essay is a lot easier when you have the books in front of you and all night to write it. Learning how to revise, manage time, answer questions in a short time span (especially when there's maybe another three or four Highers to prepare for at the same time) is a different matter altogether.
Lastly, the Prelim is vital for SQA appeals. No-one wants to go through the business of hoping to get the right result by appeal. But, its better than not getting it at all and it counts just the same as an A,B or C in August.
A prelim which replicates the demands of the May exam is essential to this outcome. That requires the same kind of question, the same time allocation and the same exam conditions. It also depends on the marking being of the same standard as SQA marking, which isn't easy as teachers, as human beings, see things in their pupils' work the completely neutral SQA marker might not.
To better understand SQA standards, this website may be of assistance. Teachers who have experience of SQA marking are, naturally, better able to apply that standard than those who haven't.
Our prelim is going to the printers this week and will be in the post to those who have ordered it next week. It costs £40 incl postage.
If you would like to order the prelim (teachers only!!), either do so via the online store or by traditional school purchase order. I plan to run a webconference at the end of January for teachers with any queries on any aspect of the prelim, so please let me know if you'd be interested in this also.
PS It should, of course, be stated that this Prelim paper is, like all commercial papers, completely independent of SQA.
Friday 23 October 2009
Never Again
Said I wouldn't watch it, but like 8 million other people I did. Confirmed my opinion that the BBC was wrong. Yes, Griffin came across to all right-minded people as an idiot but the BBC has given the BNP publicity it could never buy, even, unbelievably, sympathy.
The justification for putting Griffin on was the BBC's commitment to balance and impartiality. But there was precious little balance and impartiality on the programme. Griffin was hounded by every panellist, just about every member of the audience, even David Dimbleby himself.
He had to be. Denying the holocaust. Cherry picking stuff from The Koran to whip up Islamophobia. Bragging about his links with the KKK. How can you not challenge nonsense like this?
But, that wasn't Question Time last night, it was Question Griffin. It was awful television. A guy whose party got 6% of the vote in elections in which only 34% of the people voted occupied 100% of Question Time and the front pages of newspapers for weeks. Christmas did come early for the BNP.
BBC. Never again. Heard that phrase before?
The justification for putting Griffin on was the BBC's commitment to balance and impartiality. But there was precious little balance and impartiality on the programme. Griffin was hounded by every panellist, just about every member of the audience, even David Dimbleby himself.
He had to be. Denying the holocaust. Cherry picking stuff from The Koran to whip up Islamophobia. Bragging about his links with the KKK. How can you not challenge nonsense like this?
But, that wasn't Question Time last night, it was Question Griffin. It was awful television. A guy whose party got 6% of the vote in elections in which only 34% of the people voted occupied 100% of Question Time and the front pages of newspapers for weeks. Christmas did come early for the BNP.
BBC. Never again. Heard that phrase before?
Wednesday 21 October 2009
Will The Sun swing It?
So, The Sun (English version) has abandoned Labour and will support the Conservatives at the 2010 General Election.
The, er, Scottish Sun, hasn't made it's mind up yet. This may have something to with the fact the Conservatives in Scotland constitute around 13% of Scottish voters.
How many of this minority actually read The Sun can only be speculated. I'd guess that the hardy band of elderly Scottish Conservatives who make up the Tories core vote in Scotland these days would risk a heart attack reading The Sun. The Sunday Post it ain't.
England is different. Gordon Brown's Labour Party has trailed David Cameron's Conservatives by at least 10% in the polls for over two years. A poll today put the gap at 17%, more than enough to give the Tories a Commons majority.
So, will it be The Sun that swung it? Hardly. The Sun is just gambling that, on the basis of two years of opinion poll evidence, Cameron will win and that it, in its self appointed status as conscience of the nation, is in touch with the normal, hard working citizen.
Labour is doing its best to say that its not bovvered. Aye right. So, why did Tony Blair make getting Rupert Murdoch on board one of his priorities? Why has David Cameron appointed Andy Coulson, former editor of News of the World, his Director of Planning and Communications?
Its not because The Sun, or the News of the World, will swing it. Its because the support of the biggest selling newspapers in the UK (what a thought) helps seal the deal.
It lowers Labour morale. The decision to support the Tories was released the night of Gordon Brown's speech at the Labour Party conference. There was a big front page splash and a pull out poster, (probably written about six months previously) on Labour's "broken promises".
The Sun's switch won't make white van drivers start quoting Tory election commitments on their tea breaks (are there any?).
But it will add to the momentum the Tories already have that this time is their time. It may well be. In fact, it probably is, unless Labour ditches Gordon Brown.
But, IMHO, it wasn't The Sun what swung it. The Tories wisened up, got a smart, telegenic leader and cleaned up their image. Post Iraq war Blair's Labour alienated its core voters and post-Brown Labour has scunnered the floating voters in marginal constituencies, who really decide the election, with its lack of conviction and drive.
The Sun is simply jumping on the bandwagon again.
The, er, Scottish Sun, hasn't made it's mind up yet. This may have something to with the fact the Conservatives in Scotland constitute around 13% of Scottish voters.
How many of this minority actually read The Sun can only be speculated. I'd guess that the hardy band of elderly Scottish Conservatives who make up the Tories core vote in Scotland these days would risk a heart attack reading The Sun. The Sunday Post it ain't.
England is different. Gordon Brown's Labour Party has trailed David Cameron's Conservatives by at least 10% in the polls for over two years. A poll today put the gap at 17%, more than enough to give the Tories a Commons majority.
So, will it be The Sun that swung it? Hardly. The Sun is just gambling that, on the basis of two years of opinion poll evidence, Cameron will win and that it, in its self appointed status as conscience of the nation, is in touch with the normal, hard working citizen.
Labour is doing its best to say that its not bovvered. Aye right. So, why did Tony Blair make getting Rupert Murdoch on board one of his priorities? Why has David Cameron appointed Andy Coulson, former editor of News of the World, his Director of Planning and Communications?
Its not because The Sun, or the News of the World, will swing it. Its because the support of the biggest selling newspapers in the UK (what a thought) helps seal the deal.
It lowers Labour morale. The decision to support the Tories was released the night of Gordon Brown's speech at the Labour Party conference. There was a big front page splash and a pull out poster, (probably written about six months previously) on Labour's "broken promises".
The Sun's switch won't make white van drivers start quoting Tory election commitments on their tea breaks (are there any?).
But it will add to the momentum the Tories already have that this time is their time. It may well be. In fact, it probably is, unless Labour ditches Gordon Brown.
But, IMHO, it wasn't The Sun what swung it. The Tories wisened up, got a smart, telegenic leader and cleaned up their image. Post Iraq war Blair's Labour alienated its core voters and post-Brown Labour has scunnered the floating voters in marginal constituencies, who really decide the election, with its lack of conviction and drive.
The Sun is simply jumping on the bandwagon again.
BNP on Question Time
Question Time is one of these programmes that, over the years, has frequently frustrated me.
I usually tune in and more times than not get mad at the comments made by the professional politicians (bland and predictable) or by the token celeb (idiotic and pointless).
I'm not arrogant enough to think that I have all the answers, or even any of them, but I normally cry out for someone to just get off the script and give an informed, opinionated answer.
Where I am these days politically, I don't look for total agreement, just respect for someone with a compelling point of view.
What Nick Griffin, the British National Party's leader is doing on the show beggars belief.
What exactly does he bring to it?
A bit of racism? Yes. It's in the party's constitution and he's the leader. Racism is what he does.
A bit of fascism? Yes. The Germans don't have a monopoly of fascism. We've always had our own homegrown little Hitlers and Griffin is just the 21st century version.
Oh, but the BNP deserve to be on the show. They've two MEPs and represent the views of those who voted for them. That's what democracy is.
But, democracy is what the BNP oppose.
Democracy is what they would, by definition, deny non-caucasian British people.
They can't have their cake and eat it.
I'm really sorry that the BBC have provided a platform for the odious views of the BNP.
I won't tune in. I know Griffin's views. I just hope the other panellists, and the audience, expose the BNP for what they really are.
Call me naive if you like, but fed up with MPs expenses, bankers bonuses and disillusioned by the political process as many voters undoubtedly are, I don't believe half as many would vote for the BNP if they knew what they really are.
I usually tune in and more times than not get mad at the comments made by the professional politicians (bland and predictable) or by the token celeb (idiotic and pointless).
I'm not arrogant enough to think that I have all the answers, or even any of them, but I normally cry out for someone to just get off the script and give an informed, opinionated answer.
Where I am these days politically, I don't look for total agreement, just respect for someone with a compelling point of view.
What Nick Griffin, the British National Party's leader is doing on the show beggars belief.
What exactly does he bring to it?
A bit of racism? Yes. It's in the party's constitution and he's the leader. Racism is what he does.
A bit of fascism? Yes. The Germans don't have a monopoly of fascism. We've always had our own homegrown little Hitlers and Griffin is just the 21st century version.
Oh, but the BNP deserve to be on the show. They've two MEPs and represent the views of those who voted for them. That's what democracy is.
But, democracy is what the BNP oppose.
Democracy is what they would, by definition, deny non-caucasian British people.
They can't have their cake and eat it.
I'm really sorry that the BBC have provided a platform for the odious views of the BNP.
I won't tune in. I know Griffin's views. I just hope the other panellists, and the audience, expose the BNP for what they really are.
Call me naive if you like, but fed up with MPs expenses, bankers bonuses and disillusioned by the political process as many voters undoubtedly are, I don't believe half as many would vote for the BNP if they knew what they really are.
MSA Conference Saturday 7 November, Jordanhill, Glasgow
I'm really looking forward to the MSA conference which is only a couple of weeks away.
I'm honoured to be invited as a speaker, on The USA, in one of the afternoon sessions.
I don't plan on delivering some kind of masterclass on US politics or social issues as there are guys out there who are much more informed than me on these matters.
(I haven't actually been to the States since November 2002).
Instead, what I intend to do is to focus on some teaching strategies which could raise attainment in Higher Modern Studies and also reflect the capacities of A Curriculum for Excellence (ACFE).
All schools are being asked to raise attainment and deliver ACFE and my intention is to show that these two priorities are not mutually exclusive.
The USA is one of the great Higher courses. How can you not be excited about teaching this course? Whether you're a fan of the country or not (and I am, as it happens), there are so many issues to explore and so many great resources.
It would be great to see you at the conference, either as a familiar friendly face or if you're an online colleague I've yet to meet. The MSA conference is great value. It's a fantastic CPD opportunity and also a place to meet up with old friends, sorry, network :-)
Are you coming along?
I'm honoured to be invited as a speaker, on The USA, in one of the afternoon sessions.
I don't plan on delivering some kind of masterclass on US politics or social issues as there are guys out there who are much more informed than me on these matters.
(I haven't actually been to the States since November 2002).
Instead, what I intend to do is to focus on some teaching strategies which could raise attainment in Higher Modern Studies and also reflect the capacities of A Curriculum for Excellence (ACFE).
All schools are being asked to raise attainment and deliver ACFE and my intention is to show that these two priorities are not mutually exclusive.
The USA is one of the great Higher courses. How can you not be excited about teaching this course? Whether you're a fan of the country or not (and I am, as it happens), there are so many issues to explore and so many great resources.
It would be great to see you at the conference, either as a familiar friendly face or if you're an online colleague I've yet to meet. The MSA conference is great value. It's a fantastic CPD opportunity and also a place to meet up with old friends, sorry, network :-)
Are you coming along?
Tuesday 20 October 2009
Great Resource for Social Issues
You can view or download a fantastic short film about social/economic facts relating to Glasgow.
www.miniatureglasgow.com
www.miniatureglasgow.com
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