Okay, this is definitely unofficial…
I’m not here to be controversial but I AM here to give students the best chance of getting THEIR best possible grades.
So first of all, let me explain what QWC actually stands for.
And secondly, I’ll reveal the very unofficial reason why it’s so important.
When I started out on creating the 10 Week Grade Transformation Program I knew that what I was teaching worked wonders in raising students’ grades and I wanted to share it.
However, what I didn’t see coming was all the other amazing stuff that happened for these students and those close to them as well.
Normally, copying out is a big no-no.
(E.g. copying out chunks of text from a text book, copying out notes for revision.)
It’s a ‘passive’ activity that requires little cognitive brain action.
However, there is ONE way it can be used effectively.
And this is definitely something your teen could do over summer to give themselves a head-start for next year!
It’s easy to fall into the trap of Waiting until X to do Y…
The truth is, if we waited until the PERFECT TIME (or what we perceive as the perfect time) to do something, we may never do it, and therefore never reap the benefits of it.
You know, when it comes down to it, all their study, all their hard work….
It’s not about the grades that get printed on your child’s piece of paper at the end of Y12 or any other course completion.
That might sound a bit bizarre coming from someone like me!
But really, it’s actually about what those grades or that result represent.
I’m a big fan of being organised.
I hate clutter and I really hate wasting time trying to find things I swear I had just a minute ago, or that I’ve placed securely “in a safe place’ (grrr).
Here’s what I get students to do if they find they’re taking as long to find everything they need to do their homework as it does to actually DO the homework.
Many students prefer to TYPE rather than write when it comes to taking and making notes. And of course, There are a number of reasons and advantages of this.
However, there many scientific studies that prove that we remember more of what we write than what we type.
Here’s my take on things and how I explain this phenomenon to myself and students.
Overarching all the techniques, strategies and details I’ve covered in my 2016 Exam Marker Video Diary is the fact that sitting exams and performing well in them is a SKILL in itself.
And the best thing about a SKILL? It can be learned.
For some it comes easier than for others. But the great news is that everyone can work on, develop and excel in this skill when they get the right training and coaching.
Back to Basics!
**Warning!… Some may not like this post.
But my purpose is to ensure that students attain every mark and grade they are capable of.
And these elements are essential to that.
So here goes…
I’ve seen many students drop one (or more!) grades in an extended response because they’ve done great in one section/part, but in the second part they’ve given little to no response.
This can have a huge (and what feel a little unfair) impact when it comes to the mark scheme and gaining credit. But it’s how many mark schemes are structured and therefore better to accept it and have the awareness to combat this nuance!
Allocating time or space in the exam to each part of a response within a question as equally as possible will mean the hard work in one part is not wasted in terms of hitting the mark scheme criteria.
I explain what I mean in this Day 4 Video Diary.
