WJEC GCSE Humanities Controlled Assessment

Basics

• The controlled assessment task is worth 25% of the total marks available for the specification.

• An overview of the task is given on pages 42 - 44 of the specification.

• The levels of control that need to applied during the research phase and analysis phase are described on pages 46 – 47 of the specification.

• Titles and mark schemes are published annually on the WJEC open website.

What topics are available?

• You need to select one from the four contemporary issues themes listed in the specification pp 29 and described pp 30 – 37:– Tourism, travel and leisure– Conflict and co-operation– Rights and responsibilities– The world of work

• Choose the topic that best suits the expertise and resources available in your department.

What is the title for the Controlled Assessment task?

• A new generic title for each theme is published on our website each year. The title focuses on one of the three learning outcomes of the theme.

• The Principal Moderator has written contextualised scenarios for each of these titles with appropriate mark schemes.

• We strongly recommend that you use one of these contextualised titles.

• If you do this there is no need to contact WJEC seeking approval.

What if I want to create my own title?

• You can create your own title based on one of the generic titles. For example:

• Since 1960 the number of foreign holidays taken by people in the UK has grown. Using one tourist destination outside of the UK that you have researched:

• Describe the range of factors that attract people to this foreign holiday destination.

• Explain the impacts of the growth of foreign travel on the UK tourist industry.

• Analyse the impact of tourism on one holiday destination outside of the UK.

• Evaluate whether the attempts to limit the negative effects of tourism, at this holiday destination, have been successful.

• The principal moderator has contextualised this with tourism to Kenya. However, if you wanted to use a different context, eg tourism to the Caribbean, you could do so.

Do I need approval for my own title?

• You do not need approval, however, if you want to create your own context for a generic title we STRONGLY URGE you to seek support and advice. This is a free service:– 1 email your title, student sheets and mark

schemes to Rhian Naish– 2 Jenna forwards these documents to Gilly

Wright who acts as a ‘critical friend’– 3 Gilly contacts you with support.

• Allow at least six weeks for this process

What goes in the research folder?

• We recommend that you provide each student with an identical folder at the start of the research phase.

• The folder should contain:– The project title and mark scheme– A basic set of research materials that will

allow all students to access each of the four sub-questions in the project

– Web addresses for recommended websites• Students should be given the opportunity to

study the resources in the folder and add new materials to it during the research phase.

The research phase= limited level of control

• We recommend that you spend a maximum of 25 hours teaching the topic. Part of this time should be available for students to research.

• During research students may collaborate but you must also ensure that a candidate’s work is his or her own. So:– Work should be individual.– Any materials found by the student (from a book,

internet or primary sources) must be fully referenced and acknowledged.

– The research folder and the student’s work must not be taken home.

– Students may bring in research material from home as long as you authenticate that they found it independently.

Can I provide a writing frame?

• No. the regulators do not allow access to writing frames for Controlled Assessment.

• However, if you have students who need additional support, you may discuss strategies with them during the research phase. This may include flow diagrams / mind maps or other strategies that will help them structure their work.

• Additional help should be noted on the HUM2 form at moderation.

The analysis and evaluation phase = high level of control

• A maximum of six hours are allowed for students to ‘write up’ their project.

• the candidates must be under direct supervision at all times.

• access to e-mail, the internet and mobile phones must not be permitted.

• Folders must be controlled by staff and locked away between each period of high phase work.

• Candidates cannot add new research material during this phase.

How long should the finished pieces of work be?

• Coursework projects had become very long. The amount of time allowed for Controlled Assessment is restricted so projects should be much shorter.

• There is no word limit – although we suggest 2000 words should be enough.

• There are no penalties if students write more than this suggested amount.