A Level Psychology

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A Level Psychology
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Contents

• Introduction to OCR
• Introduction to Psychology
• Why change to our specification?
• Support and training
• Next steps

A Level Psychology
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About OCR

• Part of Europes largest assessment agency,
  Cambridge Assessment
• UKs leading awarding body
• Over 13,000 centres choose our qualifications
• Qualifications are developed in consultation with
  teachers

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Our Mission
Our commitment is to provide qualifications which
engagelearners of all ages whether at school,
college, in work and part time training
programmes so they achieve their full
potential make a difference Practical Accessibl
e Innovative and exciting
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Our Credentials

• Leading the way with new ideas
• Dedicated to offering respected qualifications
• Engaging and relevant qualifications
• Comprehensive support framework

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Psychology Credentials

• Hugely popular specification
• Loved by teachers
• Renowned core studies unit unique to OCR
• Developed in consultation
• Expert team of respected examiners
• Supported by world renowned psychologists working
  in HE

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Key points of the specification

• Straightforward structure
• Focused content
• Practical approach to research
• New and improved support
• Improved progression from AS to A2

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Psychology AS Structure
Teaching units and Assessment method and
weighting
G541 Psychological Investigations Learners become
familiar with four techniques for
collecting/analysing data Self-report
experiment, observation and correlation. They
can conduct their own small investigations and
make a record of their activities if they wish
G542 Core Studies Learners build knowledge and
understanding of 15 psychology studies/ They
demonstrate evaluation skills and an appreciation
of wider psychological approaches/perspectives,
theories, issues and debates. They make
comparisons and distinctions between core studies
and examine the broader context of general
debates within psychology.
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Psychology A2 Structure
Teaching units and Assessment method and
weighting
G543 Options in Applied Psychology Learners have
the opportunity to study two areas of applied
psychology from four options Forensic
Psychology, Health and Clinical Psychology,
Psychology of Education and Psychology of Sport
and Exercise.

• G544 Approaches and research methods in
  Psychology
• This unit is made up of two parts
• Research methods (design of a practical project
• Structured questions bringing together
  approaches, perspectives, methods, issues and
  debates covered throughout the course.

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Stretch and Challenge

• Stretch and Challenge is a new QCA initiative for
  A Levels
• Included in A2 assessment
• Reflected in the style of question asked which
  invite a greater variety of thinking
• Questions are structured to show more connections
  between different sections of the specification
• Extended writing is encouraged in all subjects
  (except Maths0
• A wider range of question types like case
  studies and open ended questions
• More synoptic assessments exploring connections
  between different areas and levels of a subject

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Whats in it for you?

• Logical and practical to teach
• Provides opportunity to use a variety of
  interesting and motivating stimuli in the
  classroom
• Access to exciting new and improved support
• Happy and interested learners
• Easy to administer
• Enjoyable and rewarding to deliver

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Whats in it for your learners?

• Interesting and captivating course
• Opportunity to be Psychologists, and learn
  about research by doing research
• Opportunity to study applied areas of Psychology
  at A2 that most interest them
• Stretch and challenge opportunities for most able
  learners

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Whats in it for your school?

• More learner enrolments
• Good progression routes into HE/FE
• Deliver a course offering solid transferable
  skills

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New and Improved Support

• BPS Resources
• Free resources mapped to the OCR specification
• Articles related to core studies
• News and interviews with Psychologists featured
  in the OCR specification
• Wider reading

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New and Improved Support

• Our support
• More INSET
• Overarching scheme of work
• Individual lesson plans for each unit
• Teacher Guidance Document
• Coursework consultancy
• Guide to what has changed
• Past papers available on line

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New and Improved Support

• OCR E-community
• E forum of practicing teachers and examiners
• Share resources and ideas with peers
• Access advice from fellow teachers and examiners

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New and Improved Support

• New core studies posters
• Free of charge via OCR website
• Introduces each core study
• Covers key topics and themes
• Sponsored by BPS

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New and Improved Support

• Heinemann Resources
• AS A2 student books
• Free exam café CD ROM in every book
• Planning and delivery packs for teachers
• Includes CD ROM of interactive materials, videos
  and activities
• Revision guides

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Next Steps

• Book training/events - www.ocr.org.uk/training
• Bookmark website for further information/future
  updates www.ocr.org.uk

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• Other qualifications
• GCSE Psychology
• GCSE and A Level Sociology
• A Level Critical Thinking