Internal Assessment Group 4 Aims: “While the scientific method may take on a wide variety of forms, it is the emphasis on a practical approach through.

Internal Assessment

Group 4 Aims:“While the scientific method may take on

a wide variety of forms, it is the emphasis on a practical approach

through experimental work that characterizes these subjects.”

Group 4 Experimental Skills:“It is important that students are

involved in an inquiry-based practical programme that allows for the

development of scientific inquiry.”

Internal Assessment: Summary of Changes

THEN (2009) NOW (2016)

24% Weighting 20% Weighting

No directive Seven set practical activities (six for SL)

Two highest scored per criterion were assessed

Single assessed practical – with a maximum of 10 hours documented on 4POSW – reflects genuine student inquiry

Three assessed Criteria – D(6), DCP(6), and CE(6)

Five assessed Criteria – PE (2)[8%], EX(6)[25%], AN(6)[25%], EV(6)[25%], CM(4)[17%]

PS and MS assessed PS and MS NOT assessed

Some assessed criteria were moderated(PS and MS not moderated)

All assessed criteria are moderated

A reflective statement was Not requiredPS was assessed

Student written group 4 project reflective statement required

No Length requirement or penalty Write up should be 6 -12 pages long. Exceeding this length will result in a penalty in the CM criteria (lack of conciseness)

Internal Assessment: Summary of Changes

THEN (2009) NOW (2016)

4PSOW 4PSOW

HL – 60 hours HL – 60 Hours

SL – 40 hours SL – 40 Hours

ICT – five categories ICT – five categories

Group 4 project 10 hours Group 4 project 10 hours

Internal Assessment: Time Allocation

• Contributes 20% to the final assessment• A total of approximately 10 hours of teaching should be

allocated to the work. This should include:1. Time for teacher to explain the IA requirements2. Class time for student to work on IA and to ask questions3. Time for consultation between teacher and student4. Time to review and monitor progress5. Time to check authenticity

Internal Assessment: Safety

• Follow national or local guidelines• Be attentive to guidelines developed for the

International Council of Associations for Science Education (ICASE) by the Laboratory Safety Institute (LSI).

Internal Assessment: Assessment Criteria• Same for both SL and HL• The mark awarded should most fairly reflect the balance

of achievement against the criterion. • Not every single aspect of a level descriptor must be

met for that mark to be awarded.• The most appropriate descriptor that describes the

student’s work should be chosen. Best-fit approach• If between two:

• Award upper marks if student’s work demonstrates the qualities described to a great extent.

• Award lower marks if student’s work demonstrates the qualities described to a lesser extent.

Internal Assessment: Assessment Criteria• The highest level descriptors do not imply faultless

performance but should be achievable by a student.• Make assessment criteria available to your students!

Internal Assessment: Possible tasks include:• A hands-on laboratory investigation• Using a spreadsheet for analysis and modeling• Extracting data from a database and analysing it

graphically• Producing a hybrid spreadsheet/database work with a

traditional hands-on investigation• Using a simulation provided it is interactive and open-

ended

Internal Assessment: Final Notes• Allow a wide range of practical activities to be

performed.• Addresses many of the Learner Profile attributes.• Task/product produced should be complex and

commensurate with the level of the course.

Internal Assessment: Personal Engagement – Students make IA their own

Internal Assessment: Exploration – scientific context for the work & safety

**This indicator should only be applied when appropriateTo the investigation. See TSM.

Internal Assessment: Analysis – evidence of selection, recording & interpreting the data relevant to RQ and can support conclusion

Internal Assessment: Evaluation – evidence evaluation of the investigation and the results with regard to the research question and accepted scientific context.

**See exemplars in TSM for clarification

Internal Assessment: Communication – investigation is presented and reported in a way that supports effective communication of the focus, process and outcomes.

**Incorrect/missing labelling of graphs, tables, images; use of units, decimal places. For issues of referencing and citations refer to the “Academic honesty” section.