Coursework in A Level History

[Daogroupie]

DAO has just posted their 2012/2013 A Level courses and I notice Coursework has popped up in A level History which is a subject dd will def be doing. Is this new? What do people think about this? DG

[hermanmunster]

Hopeless mother here.... I am pretty sure DS is doing some coursework for his history A2 this year???

None for AS though ....

ETA: Just checked.. he is doing EDEXCEL and the coursework is 40% of the A2 .

The State and the Poor in Britain, c. 1815 – 1939
Assessed by Coursework – 4000 words/two enquiry
questions (40% of A2)

[Daogroupie]

Wow, 40%, how do you feel about that? Does he have a predicted grade? I guess that proabably does help with uni applications. How much help do they get? DG

[hermanmunster]

Haven't started on it yet (I don't think ) - bit preoccupied with UCAS at the mo.

Predicted an A* at A2 and is also doing the extended project in historical subject so history is really his thing and hence not too bothered - well that is the appearance anyway. I'm not sure how much help they get.

I am quite happy about it as there is more control over the effort and timing - think single exam at the end is always more stressful - still has an exam though a mere 60%

[magwich2]

The help they get will obviously depend on the school but the teacher marks the coursework and has to take into account how much help they have had. They have plenty of time and can do a draft which the teacher can discuss in fairly general terms with them - my advice would be to do as good a draft as possible to make the most of this one allowed discussion with the teacher.
Also enrol your child with the nearest university library so that they can access all the books and journals when the time comes. They have to provide a bibliography with the coursework and the longer it is the better.
It is entirely possible to get full marks for coursework - DD1 did and it made the summer exam much less pressured.
When she did it last year the teacher was the one who made up the title. i don't know if that is still the case but worth making a fuss if it is and if the title is terrible.
Good luck anyway.

[hermanmunster]

The help they get will obviously depend on the school but the teacher marks the coursework and has to take into account how much help they have had. They have plenty of time and can do a draft which the teacher can discuss in fairly general terms with them - my advice would be to do as good a draft as possible to make the most of this one allowed discussion with the teacher.
Also enrol your child with the nearest university library so that they can access all the books and journals when the time comes. They have to provide a bibliography with the coursework and the longer it is the better.
It is entirely possible to get full marks for coursework - DD1 did and it made the summer exam much less pressured.
When she did it last year the teacher was the one who made up the title. i don't know if that is still the case but worth making a fuss if it is and if the title is terrible.
Good luck anyway.

Thanks MW - have got the local Uni enrolment sorted (actually for the EPQ but will help for this too.) DS usually good on time management so will probably get draft in early to get the chat with the teacher. Can see will be back on taxi duty.

[Looking for help]

You've got to be very careful with the coursework....one of mine did it 2 years ago now, and the coursework grade came right down, bringing the whole A Level to a B. This despite the teacher having told her what a good piece it was. I think it gets moderated, so the mark can change. She had A at the end of AS and an A in the end of y13 paper, but the coursework (and I can't now remember the grade) really did have an effect.

If I recall correctly the coursework was about Ireland in the 20th centruy, and it was almost up to them what they chose to write about, making it very difficult. Although that may have changed a bit now, I don't know.

Get on top of it Herman

[hermanmunster]

I'm becoming an expert ... can even login to UCAS!!!

[Fran17]

Herman we are at the same stage with eldest DS. I think you posted somewhere on here recently that you were finding the UCAS process more stressful than the 11+. I agree. I will be a wreck by the time he gets his results, although I won't let him see that.

He is doing History A level and has to do the dreaded coursework. I will enrol him at the nearest Uni library.

[Fran17]

I'm becoming an expert ... can even login to UCAS!!!

Respect!

Note to self: must attempt to login to UCAS!