exemplar activities

Unit B Activity 4 - Create activity templates - Exemplar 1

I decided to tackle this activity because I have to make up a variety of different worksheets each week for assessment purposes for the key stage 4 accredited courses. I thought it would be particularly useful for the Ed Excel Science course. As part of this course students have to complete investigative skills work, such as using microscopes or setting up simple circuits, by following worksheets. They then have to answer questions on the work to prove that they have understood it. The students can be given a higher grade if they follow and complete their work independently.

I formulated a worksheet on making up simple series and parallel circuits for the more able students in my module group 1 science class. I typed the worksheet, although had to seek some help as the best way to form the circuit pictures. I wrote some notes on the new things I had discovered and added them to my portfolio of work. For example I learnt how to use the tool bar to draw lines and various shapes, and also learnt how to change the length, direction, size e.t.c. I learnt to move shapes to the places I wanted them by clicking and dragging. I found other basic shapes I could use by using the auto shape section on the drawing tool bar. I then saved the worksheet as a template by clicking on save as type, and then document of template. I printed and photocopied the sheet for use with the whole group.

When using the worksheet I had access to two computers. After completing the practical activity there were 20 minutes left at the end of the lesson. This was enough time for two students to complete the worksheet using the activity template set up on the computer. I had to choose my most able students for this task as the others would have needed help with their word processing and would have taken longer than 20 minutes. The others used a photocopied version of the template and completed their work by hand.

For the students who used the computer, the activity was a great success. They were able to read and type their questions independently. For Mark, who easily works at level 2 for science this was particularly rewarding. Although his scientific understanding is good and he can read and word process well, he is unable to write at all due to poor fine motor control. For some lessons he gives a verbal account of his work while an adult acts as a scribe. Obviously with this type of activity template he can complete his work on his own. Mark was very pleased with the template as he is working towards a silver grade in his Ed Excel and realizes that this will only be possible if he shows that he can do the work independently.

The advantages of these computer activities are:

• Students with poor handwriting can type their own work so that it looks neat. They also have the advantage of the spell check facility.
• The work produced looks more presentable ( especially if being used for evidence for accredited courses).
• It helps the students to be more independent.
• It improves the students I.C.T. skills.
• Photocopied versions of the templates can be used by students who prefer to write their work by hand.
• If the document is saved as a stationary one, the students can't change it (purposely or by accident).

The disadvantages of these computer activities are:

• Most of the students are quicker at writing than typing, so they take longer to complete.
• One computer is required for each student and we only have one or two computers available for the group each session. The students therefore have to take it in turns to complete worksheets using the computer.
• It can cause some management difficulties with a few students if its not their turn.

Setting up Circuits - Practical Worksheet

1. Make up the following series circuits.

What must you remember when connecting 2 batteries together?

Which lamp will be the brightest ?    Why?

What will happen to the lamp if you turn the switch off?    Why?

2. Make up the following parallel circuit.

Which lamp/s will light when the switch is turned on?

Which lamp/s will light when the switch is turned off?    Why?

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