Religious Studies Examining changes to the format of the questions and how they meet the Assessment Objectives GCSE 2009- Delivering the new specification.

Religious Studies Examining changes to the format of the questions and how they meet the Assessment Objectives

GCSE 2009- Delivering the new specification in September 2009Unit 10

Aim of Event

During the course of the presentation delegates will:

• understand the assessment implications of the new specification

• be taken through the impact of the changes to the new specification

• have the opportunity to explore delivery strategies applicable to the new specification.

• learn about the total package and how it will help you achieve better results

The assessment implications of the new specification

The specification which can be examined for the first time in 2010 has new assessment objectives. GCSE RS now has to assess 50% of AO1 and 50% of AO2.

This means: AO1 = Describe, explain and analyse using knowledge and understanding

AO2 = Use evidence and reasoned argument to express and evaluate personal responses, informed insights and differing viewpoints

Which questions are aimed at the different assessment objectives?

• Look at the layout of the new questions• AO1 – Will be assessed in the a) and c) questions• AO2 – Will be assessed in the b and d) questions

SECTION 2 – COMMUNITY AND TRADITIONYou must answer ONE question from this section.EITHER• 3 (a) What is the papacy? (2)• (b) Should all priests be celibate?• Give two reasons for your point of view.(4)• *(c) Explain why apostolic succession is important for Roman Catholics.(8)• (d) “Everyone should follow the teachings of the Church.”• In your answer you should refer to Roman Catholic Christianity.• (i) Do you agree? Give reasons for your opinion.(3)• (ii) Give reasons why some people may disagree with you.(3) (Total for Question 3

= 20 marks)OR• 4 (a) Who are the laity?(2)• (b) Do you think the Magisterium is important?• Give two reasons for your point of view.(4)• *(c) Explain why the Virgin Mary is important for Roman Catholics.(8)• (d) “The Church does not need bishops.”• In your answer you should refer to Roman Catholic Christianity.• (i) Do you agree? Give reasons for your opinion.(3)• (ii) Give reasons why some people may disagree with you.(3) (Total for Question

4 = 20 marks)

Changes to the ways marks are awarded in the mark scheme

a) Questions ( no change from the old specification)

These questions are based on the Keywords Glossary which is Appendix 4 in the specification ( Pages 105 -136)

Usually they take one of two forms Either asking for a definition of the word OR asking for an example of the word

2 marks are available. 1 mark is awarded for a partially correct answer and 2 for a fully correct answer

b) Questions (changed from the old specification)These questions now assess AO2 not AO1 so they are asking forevaluation of issues, beliefs and teachings

The b questions ask candidates to provide 2 reasons for their own point of viewThis view can be two reasons agreeing with the statement, two reasons disagreeing with the statement or if the candidate states they are unsure they can give two opposing reasons.Candidates must ensure that they indicate that their personal view and to gain maximum marks they must explain two reasons for holding this view

b) Marking

1 mark awarded for a personal response with a brief reason

2 marks awarded for EITHER a personal response with two brief reasons OR a personal response with one developed reason

3 marks awarded for a personal response with two reasons one of which is developed

4 marks awarded for a personal response with two developed reasons

c) Questions - mostly unchanged from the old specification

The format of these questions as far as students are concerned is, on the whole, unchanged, however the way that marks are awarded has changed. Marks will be awarded singly i.e. 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8 (rather than in pairs 2,4,6,8)

In this sub-question marks will be awarded for Quality of Written Communication (QWC)

This means students must try to answer the c) questions in clear English spelling words correctly, using sentences and paragraphs and making use of specialist vocabulary

c) Levels and marking

In c sub-questions the level will be awarded according to the Religious

Studies content, the mark within the level will then be decided by the

QWC

The levels are essentially

Level 1 – Little understanding of the issue Level 2 - Basic understanding of the issue Level 3 – A more developed understanding of the issueLevel 4 – A clear understanding of the issue

d) Questions some minor changes

These sub-questions start with a stimulus quote which is intended to be controversial and elicit arguments in favour and against the point of view stated in the quote, it does not matter which view the candidate holds about the quote. The sub-questions are now out of 6 marks, not 4–which reflects the increased weighting on AO2

The d) sub-question is now divided to help candidates focus on the stimulus. For each stimulus candidates are askedi) Do you agree give reasons for your answer ii) Give reasons why some people may disagree with you

d) Marking

In d questions each sub-question will be marked completelyseparately.

Each part (i and ii) will have 3 marks and will be marked

1 mark = a simple reason2 marks = a developed reason OR two simple reasons3 marks = a fully developed reason OR two developed reasons OR three simple reasons

Religious Studies

Part 2

• Roman Catholic Christianity

• Unit 10 5RS10

• Reviewing the New Specification

Summary of the main changes:

Section 1 Beliefs and values

Imported from old Section 5.

Topic about Religious Communities and how they show love of God and others.

Also some changes in the Key Words – here and in other parts of the course.

Section 2 Community and Tradition

New specific topic:

The meaning of Protestant beliefs about the authority ofthe Church and their importance for Protestant Christians

Section 3 Worship and Celebration

Imported from old Section 5

Why Roman Catholic churches have certain features

Section 4 Living the Christian Life

Imported from old Section 5

The meaning of vocation and why it is important for Christians

How and why Christians show vocation in daily life and work

How and why some Christians show vocation by taking holy orders

Section 4 Living the Christian Lifecontinued

New topics:

How and Why some Christians are involved in working for social andcommunity cohesion

How one Roman Catholic organisation helps to relieve poverty and/or

suffering in the UK

The reasons why the organisation does this work (Christians teachings

on charity and the relief of suffering)

Note:No specific topic on the monastic lifeNo specific reference to two exemplary Christians

A more detailed look at the new material:

How Religious Communities express their love of God and others Protestants and the authority of the Church Social and Community Cohesion One Roman Catholic organisation working to relieve poverty in

the UK Why it does its work

How Religious Communities express their love for God and others

• Religious Communities are men and women who have professed the evangelical counsels (poverty chastity and obedience).

• Expressing love for God through a life of prayer and worship (such as the Carmelites and other contemplative orders).

• Expressing love for others through a life of service (such as the Salesians or the Missionaries of Charity and other active orders)

Protestants and the authority of the Church

Divisions in the Church – the Reformation

What Protestants are

Importance of the Bible as sole source of authority for Protestants

Rejection of the interpretation of ‘You are Peter...’

Church understood as informal gathering of believers

Problems of disunity. Does it matter?

Social and Community Cohesion

Potentially wide-ranging, but focus on:

Jesus’ teaching about outcasts

Christian response to that teaching, especially the Social teaching of the

Catholic Church

Problems created by divisions based on gender, race, religion,orientation etc

Value of multiculturalism

One Roman Catholic organisation working to relieve poverty in the UK Importance that it is RC and in the UK

Best example probably the St Vincent de Paul Society, but others can be

chosenFocus on the work that it does – found on their website

The SVP has branches in schools and young people are involved asvolunteers – explore that

Part b) and d) questions could focus on whether it is more important to

work in the UK or abroad, or whether it is really possible to make adifference

Why the organisation does its work

Teachings and action of Jesus

Focus on Christian teaching about charity and relieving suffering

Catholic social teaching is important

Part b) and d) questions could focus on whether it can be argued that those who are poor bring it on themselves, or whether Christians should focus on their families rather than people they don’t know.

What’s gone?

The Monastic Life – certainly should not now be taught in detail. BUT

note the topic of loving God and others in Section 1 and the continued

existence of related key words in Section 4:

active life, contemplative life, monastic life, evangelical counsels

Exemplary Christians – there won’t be any specific questions on thistheme. But the example of others can be used by candidates,

perhaps todevelop answers about the importance of vocation

Now, just to give you a break from listening...

How many marks would you give this answer?

The b questions ask candidates to provide 2 reasons for their own point of view. Maximum 4 marks.e.g. ‘Should all priests be celibate?’ Give two reasons for your point of view.

I think they should as Jesus was celibate and priests follow his example.

When celebrating Mass, for example, the priest is supposed to represent

Jesus, and so should be celibate like Jesus Also It allows priests to be

completely devoted to God.

Religious Studies

Part 3

a) Questions

Usually they take one of two forms: Either asking for a definition of the word OR asking for an example of the word

1 mark is awarded for a partially correct answer2 marks are awarded for a fully correct answer

e.g. What is monotheism

Maximum marks will be awarded for a glossary definitionor one where all the parts of the answer are given

The keyword glossary definition is:

Belief in one God

Similar answers which would gain 2 marks could be:

Believing there is only one God

Partially correct answers which would gain 1 mark are:

Belief in God

b) Questions (changed from the old specification)

These questions now assess AO2 not AO1 so they are asking forevaluation of issues, beliefs and teachings

The b questions ask candidates to provide 2 reasons fortheir own point of view

e.g. ‘Should all priests be celibate?’ Give two reasons for your point of view.

1 mark would be awarded for:

a personal response with a brief reason

I think they should as Jesus was celibate and priests follow his example

2 marks awarded for:

EITHER a personal response with two brief reasons I think they should as Jesus was celibate and priests follow his

example.It allows priests to be completely devoted to God

OR a personal response with one developed reasonI think they should as Jesus was celibate and priests follow his

example. When celebrating Mass, for example, the priest is supposed to represent Jesus, and so should be celibate like Jesus

3 marks awarded for

a personal response with two reasons one of which isdeveloped I think they should as Jesus was celibate and priests follow his

example.When celebrating Mass, for example, the priest is supposed to

representJesus, and so should be celibate like Jesus Also It allows priests

to becompletely devoted to God.

4 marks awarded for a personal response with two

developed reasons

I think they should because Jesus was celibate and priests follow his

example. When celebrating Mass, for example, the priest is supposed to

represent Jesus, and so should be celibate like Jesus.

Also, it allows priests to be completely devoted to God. If they are

celibate they can be available to serve God’s people at any time of the

day or night.

c) Questions (mainly unchanged from the old specification)

The format of these questions as far as students are concerned is unchanged, however the way that marks are awarded has changed. Marks will be awarded singly i.e. 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8 (rather than in pairs 2,4,6,8)

In this sub-question marks will be awarded for Quality of Written Communication (QWC)

This means students must try to answer the c) questions in clear English spelling words correctly, using sentences and paragraphs and making use of specialist vocabulary

e.g.

Explain why the Virgin Mary is important for Roman Catholics Level 1 – little understanding of the issue shown

Caflicks like the virgen coz she is jesus mum

This would get Level 1 because it is one brief reason and because the spelling is not good it would get 1 out the 2available marks

Level 2 – basic understanding of the issue shown

Caflicks like the virgen coz she is Jesus mum and caflicks fink jesus is

god so she is gods mum

This would get Level 2 because it is one developed reason which means it can be given either 3 or 4 marks because the spelling and punctuation is not good it would get 3 rather than 4 marks

Level 3 – A more developed understanding of the issue

Catholics think that the Virgin Mary is important because she is the

mother of Jesus. She also lived a good Christian life that Catholics can

imitate. Mary accepted everything that God asked her to do.

This would get Level 3 because it is three brief reasonswhich means it can be given either 5 or 6 marks because the spelling and punctuation is good it would get 6 rather than 5 marks

Level 4 – A clear understanding of the issue

Catholics think that the Virgin Mary is important because she is the

mother of Jesus. She also lived a good Christian life that Catholics can

imitateMary accepted everything that God asked her to do. For

example sheagreed to be Jesus’ mother even though she knew that would

affectmany aspects of her life, such as her relationship with Joseph.

This would get Level 4 because it is three reasons with oneexplained which means it can be given either 7 or 8 marks because the spelling and punctuation is good it would get 8 rather than 7 marks

d) Marking

In d questions each sub-question will be marked completely separately. Each part (i and ii) will have 3 markse.g. ‘You cannot serve both God and money’In your answer you should refer to one Roman Catholic

Christianityi) Do you agree? Give reasons for your answerii) Give reasons why some people may disagree with you

I think you can serve God and money as you can give money to charity, which is serving God

1 mark = a simple reason

I think you can serve God and money as you can give moneyto charity, which is serving God. If you make a lot of moneyfor example you can use it to support the work of CAFODwhich helps to serve God’s children in developing countries

2 marks = This answer takes a basic reason and develops it into a developed reason which gets 2 marks

Many people make money in order to serve God by giving it to charity.

In any case, just because someone is rich, they can still go to church

and worship GodThe Catholic Church is rich, but it still serves God

3 marks = This answer clearly gives three simple reasons so is awarded 3 marks

For ii) Candidates must give an alternative view to this one

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