National Qualifications - Sciences

December 15th, 2010

Biology Resources - News!

nqscience

Comments: 1 Comment Tags:  : Categories Higher Biology, Higher Sciences, National Qualifications, Scottish National Qualifications, Uncategorized, case studies, resources

LTS have commissioned teachers to produce a variety of resources to support the new Highers in Biology and Human Biology. These resources will include;

* Teacher Support Notes

* Associated Learner Activities

* a range of exciting, topical ’Case Studies’ supporting the development of key scientific skills

The support notes will cover all areas of both Higher courses, with a particular focus on new content. These resources are now reaching first draft stage and should be available on the LTS NQ Biology page early next year. Early versions of these resources have already begun to appear on the GLOW NQ Biology page.

Watch this space for more information!

November 11th, 2010

New Higher Biology Resource - PCR Case Study!

nqscience

Comments: none Tags:  : Categories Higher Biology, National Qualifications, Uncategorized, case studies, early-adopters

A fantastic new resource is now available on the NQ Biology Glow group to support students and teachers of the new Higher Biology. The resource is a case study of the Polymerase Chain reaction (PCR) and gives learners the opportunity to carry out the PCR experiment, as well as looking at applications of PCR in modern biology. Furthermore, the resource provides an opportunity for learners to develop their problem-solving skills in relevant, topical contexts through analysis of PCR data related to forensics and disease-screening .

The resource will also appear shortly on the Biology page of the National Qualifications website. Watch this space!

November 9th, 2010

Biology Teachers share bright ideas!

nqscience

Comments: 1 Comment Tags:  : Categories Higher Biology, National Qualifications, SQA, Scottish National Qualifications, case studies

Approximately 30 Scottish teachers commissioned by LTS to produce materials to support the new Biology/ Human Biology qualifications met at the Optima Building in Glasgow on 8th November 2010. The purpose of this meeting was to share ideas and good practice, and to establish the characteristics of a fantastic resource to support both learners and teachers.

The meeting was supported by representatives from Abertay University, The University of the West of Scotland and Edinburgh University, as well as SSERC and SQA. All of these participants gave valuable input and perspective to the discussions.
Geoff Morgan (SQA Qualifications Design Consultant, Biology) gave a very interesting presentation on the use of ‘case studies’ in Higher Biology which stimulated lots of great discussions within the group.

Some excellent materials which have already been produced were showcased during the meeting, highlighting the high standard of resources being produced.
The meeting was highly successful and allowed teachers to establish links between resources, as well as sharing innovative ideas and good practice.

Watch out for these new resources appearing on the NQ Biology GLOW group and on the NQ website over the coming weeks!

November 8th, 2010

Transferable Skills - Web-based Research in Chemistry

nqscience

Comments: none Tags:  : Categories Higher Biology, Higher Chemistry, Higher Physics, Researching Chemistry, Researching Physics, Scottish National Qualifications, case studies

The new CfE-inspired Higher Sciences specifically develop a number of crucial transferable skills for life and work. In the Physics and Chemistry Highers these skills are gained through the ‘Researching’ half-units, whereas in the Biology and Human Biology Highers they are developed through the ‘case studies’. A mixture of scientific and generic skills are developed throughout the new courses.

One key skill for any scientist is to be able to undertake an effective literature search to find out what is already known about their topic of interest. Web-based research is becoming an increasingly important tool for scientists. Two superb resources (an introductory powerpoint and a set of pupil activities) have been prepared to support teachers and learners with the development of effective web-based research skills in chemistry. These resources can also be found on the NQ Chemistry Glow group.

Watch this space for news on other brand-new resources for the development of other key scientific skills….!

October 20th, 2010

Engaging Learners using ‘Case Studies’ in the new Higher Biology

nqscience

Comments: none Tags: Tags: case studies, case study
 : Categories Higher Biology, National Qualifications, Scottish National Qualifications, case studies, resources

A novel feature of the new National Qualification in Higher Biology will be the ‘case study’. Case studies can be used to deliver modern, topical Biology content in an innovative and interesting way. They involve enquiry-based learning and allow students to develop the essential practical and research skills needed in the world of science and work.

A team of writers is currently creating a variety of exciting ‘case study’ resources on behalf of LTS. Case studies currently under production include, for example;

• Behaviour in Primates, in conjuntion with Edinburgh Zoo
• Stem Cell Research and its future medical and ethical implications
• PCR and its applications in modern biology

Case studies will give biology students the opportunity to engage with cutting edge science, and to apply this to their learning in class. Case study resources will become available on the NQ section of the LTS website and also through the Biology NQ Glow group over the next few months.

Watch this space!