The effective teaching of A-Level Biology – the fun

way to achieve A*

Speaker: Jane Dockray Head of Biology

at Churston Grammar

Why don’t more AL Biology students achieve top grades?

What are the barriers to success?

Lack of ability?

We can’t create intelligence

but we can:

Develop existing potential

Improve our recruitment of able

students

Lack of motivation / ambition?

We can’t change personality or

background

but we can:

Encourage

Facilitate

Inspire

Lack of time?

We may need to argue for:

Adequate curriculum time

Labs which are suitable, comfortable &

pleasant

Sensible group sizes

Problems with teaching or teachers??

“Quality of teaching is a crucial factor

in promoting effective learning in

schools”

Good teachers make a difference….

A level teaching isn’t easy

What Is Good A Level Teaching?

Direct, causal relationships between

teaching & attainment are hard to find

But research shows clear links

between attainment & certain

characteristics of teaching & learning

Enabling Strategies

Some ideas

1. Organise your course

Produce a termly timetable for students

detailing:

• Topics & dates

• Homework assignments & deadlines

• All timetabled practicals

• Reading list (Y12)

• Important events e.g. fieldtrip, mock exam

2. Pay attention to detail

Know your stuff!

Plan lessons & produce resources

Stick to the syllabus

Set & mark 3/4 hours work per week

Vary the work set e.g. notes, past paper

Qs, tests, essays, practical write-ups

3. Provide feed-back

Feedback should be: Personal – mark students’ work your-

self & add comments Prompt – next lesson if possible Precise – use a standardised mark

scheme & explain errors Persistent – chase students until they

meet deadlines

4. Develop positive group ethos

What is “positive group ethos”?How can we help it to develop?

5. Demonstrate your commitment to your students

Invite comment & feedback Be caring, available & approachable Be enthusiastic Work hard for your students Look for solutions not problems Take an interest Raise their self-esteem

Reflection

Extension work?

Why haven’t I mentioned it yet?

Making changes 1. What could you change easily &

immediately?2. What could you work on in the

medium term?