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What is wrong with all examination?

Arran Cameron
During my secondary school years every GCSE subject had a coursework component. In 2007 coursework was dropped from maths making it all examination. In more recent years other subjects have gone all examination.


I strongly uphold the main GCSE subjects (English, maths, science, probably geography, history and RS as well) as all examination with no coursework, as I believe it to be the fairest method overall, although coursework components should continue for creative subjects including art, music, and D&T.


Whenever I state my view I get accused of being another Michael Gove.


I am aware that the Lib-Dems and the Green Party want to re-instate coursework for ALL GCSE subjects. Is this intelligent thought or just a whim of a liberal chattering class without any regard for students themselves or the desires of the silent majority?
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    Arran Cameron:

    All examination is actually more inclusive. A coursework component is prohibitive for the following categories of people:


    1. Home educated children - regardless of which of the 1001 reasons that they are home educated.

    2. High academic ability children who want to take GCSEs outside of the school system before Y11.

    3. Prisoners.

    4. Adults who are self taught or attend distance learning courses who are unable to attend college regularly due to transport issues or work / childcare commitments.


    Should these people be denied the opportunity to take GCSEs because it's near impossible for them to have the coursework assessed?




    Quite frankly, if I can do a post graduate diploma and a Master's by distance learning and assessment, then it's going to be perfectly possible to solve these for GCSEs (if they are problems). There's a difference between a system not working and a system not being able to work!  


    Incidentally on point 2, the last A level I took (psychology, including appropriately enough for this thread psychology of education) I took most definitely outside the school system, I was in my early 40s. Worked fine, my tutor assessed my coursework.

     



    I read on a forum that one reason for the decline in the number of students taking D&T subjects for GCSE (since 2000ish) is because there is a large coursework component.



    Ah well, you should NEVER believe anything you read on forums smiley


    Cheers,


    Andy

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  • 0

    Arran Cameron:

    All examination is actually more inclusive. A coursework component is prohibitive for the following categories of people:


    1. Home educated children - regardless of which of the 1001 reasons that they are home educated.

    2. High academic ability children who want to take GCSEs outside of the school system before Y11.

    3. Prisoners.

    4. Adults who are self taught or attend distance learning courses who are unable to attend college regularly due to transport issues or work / childcare commitments.


    Should these people be denied the opportunity to take GCSEs because it's near impossible for them to have the coursework assessed?




    Quite frankly, if I can do a post graduate diploma and a Master's by distance learning and assessment, then it's going to be perfectly possible to solve these for GCSEs (if they are problems). There's a difference between a system not working and a system not being able to work!  


    Incidentally on point 2, the last A level I took (psychology, including appropriately enough for this thread psychology of education) I took most definitely outside the school system, I was in my early 40s. Worked fine, my tutor assessed my coursework.

     



    I read on a forum that one reason for the decline in the number of students taking D&T subjects for GCSE (since 2000ish) is because there is a large coursework component.



    Ah well, you should NEVER believe anything you read on forums smiley


    Cheers,


    Andy

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